Engineer Professional Advisory Committee (EPAC) Open Meeting I. Meeting Information Date: March 14, 2019 Time: 3:00 pm to 4:30 PM Meeting Link: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/epac/ Teleconference # 202-991-0477;5277657# II. Agenda Agenda Items Speaker Time Welcome and Introductions CDR Russell 5 min Chief Professional Officer Remarks RADM Dieser 10 min EPAC Tasks Status CDR Gumapas 5 min EPAC Subcommittee Reports Welcome and Introductions Career Development Information Public Health Engineering Practice Engineering Impact Measure LCDR Bandukwala LCDR Omobogie CDR Simms LCDR Kane LCDR Palo 30 min Liaison Reports COA Information SAME CCWIAB CDR Thakur LT Valesco LCDR Coburn CDR Savalia 10 min Funding Request o LT Simpson E-Week Parking LCDR Wong 5 min Adjourn CDR Russell 5 min III. Attendance LCDR Praveen LCDR Kane CAPT Harvey 1
Transcript
Engineer Professional Advisory Committee (EPAC)Open Meeting
Welcome and Introductions Honor PHS awardees and available to watch on Youtube (https://youtu.be/LmstJQ4hz24) Acknowledge LCDR Cox, CDR Bingley, and LT Martin Held at EPA Headquarters EPA administrator and SG present at ceremony
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Chief Professional Officer Remarks New level of appreciation from EPA Administrator Great level of support and appreciation from SG and EPA Administrator Recognize award winners at E-week ceremony Award event at NSPE and six (6) engineers from HHS ASH Town hall meeting and President’s Budget – high level information and lacking
detail Positive towards Corps and reflective in budget Where does non-clinical billets fit? USPHS Engineers continue to lead the way Army Corps of Engineers – Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) underway EPA, Homeland Security also expressed need for USPHS RADM Trent-Adams as PDASH Congress is the authority regarding budgets and provides more funding than President’s
budget Question regarding an Engineer in positions that are not as visible
o Does Engineering capability at FDA need a uniform is the question?o Mission critical versus non-mission criticalo There will be scrutiny in the future on what gets filledo Continues to work in progresso ACTION ITEM: CDR Russell: Reach out to CAPT Helgeson to discuss process
with PAC when blessed by headquarters. Send an invite to him.Return to Agenda
Awards Reviewing FEB Chief Engineer and SAME Awards will make subcommittee recommendation by
March 21 Creating review criteria for Award subcommittee to follow and will add to SOP In process of revising all Award nomination forms
o Go in front of EPAC for revising criteriao Email CDR Russell regarding what you want input from RADM Diesero Put in front of EPAC for discussion
Link for mementos for how to assemble shadow boxes to provide on EPAC website. The following is the link that describes how to build a shadow box on pages 19 - 27
o https://dcp.psc.gov/osg/hso/documents/Planning-Guide-for-USPHS-Retirement- Ceremony.pdf
Café Press.com – mind boggling amount USPHSo https://www.cafepress.com/+usphs+t-shirts
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Career Development
Report out CDS Current Directives:
Since January 16 mentors have been assigned to mentees (7.9% Total Category participation rate (industry standard is about 20%)
CDS is working with the event committee to plan the mentoring session at the symposium. EPAC currently has the 8-9am time slot but has asked to be on the waitlist should a 9-10 slot open up as the Surgeon General’s 5K is at 0700 off-site and would present some conflict. Options being considered are compressing mentoring to 830-9 and holding it in PT gear to maximize participation given the conflict with the 5K.
Currently developing SOPs for the CDS and for mentoring. Drafts of these documents are due by end of March.
Engineering Licensure Fact sheet draft is under revision and due in May. Engineering Online Graduate School Database will have a framework by May. Leadership Development with PACE and other initiatives is in development. No target date has
been set. Scrubbing of the EPAC Career Development and Mentoring pages (removal of dead links and
outdated documents) target set for April 1st. Agency Transfer Sheet is on hold/canceled until further notice. Analytics Survey is on hold/canceled until further notice.
EPAC Direction:
Prior approval needed to remove/revise/redesign webpages? Implementation of a mentoring matching software? Inquired about Chrono (https://chronus.com/)
but comes with a hefty price tag ($15,000 per year for the base package). May be interested into using mentorcore (https://www.mentoring.org/program-resources/mentorcore-program-management-software/) ($900 per year) to assist with the logistics of running a mentoring matching program.
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Information
Social Media: CDR Theresa Granto Working on survey/questions on how to use social media (survey monkey)o CAPT Harvey suggested we have a vote as to whether or not we want explore
another platform (he is concerned that we have a generation gap and that some of the younger engineers may want to receive information via social media) He indicated that this would be more a 2 year project not something we would try to implement in the next 6 months.
o CDR Russell asked the members to think about it and we can re-visit whether we want to explore over the next couple of months
o Suggested that we take a look at the Information subcommittee’s current work plan and determine if there is capacity to explore the idea of another communication tool.
o Research trends, technologies, resources and guidelines associated with the use of social media in governmental and professional settings
o Advise the category on the use of social media as appropriate
Content Management: CDR Jim Kohler o 2018 Awardees updatedo EPAC members updatedo Meeting Calendar updatedo SOP will help to track completeness of postings (checking that they really
do get posted) o **Anonymous feedback on website is available. o Respond to requests sent to [email protected] Monitor and update website to ensure content is accurate, current and
relevant to a public audience (https://dcp.psc.gov/osg/engineer/)
Newsletter: CDR Jason Peterson o Email reminders out for articleso Nelson Mix drafted an article on the EPAC awards ceremonyo Updates from CPO, EPAC Chair, Subcommitteeso Profiles of officers, agencies, projects, deployments etc…o Announcements of calls to active duty, retirements, awards, etc…o Photos, events, policy updates, engineering news, book reviews, etc…
Combined Category Communication Committee: CDR Chris Vaughto Checking on status of combined category newsletter – checking. o Facilitate the exchange of newsletter articles and information across
categories and in coordination with the PAC Chairs Group.
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Public Health Engineering Practice Access to Engineering Standards Workgroup is finalizing research analysis and preparing a
report that will be ready to present to EPAC at next Voting Members meeting Healthy Communities Workgroup developing webpage to share info and resources with
engineers to promote the concepts, provide ideas and networking, and develop a recognition program
Resource Sharing Workgroup updating PHEP webpage with more articles, presentations, and tools
Lead and Drinking Water Workgroup completing group charter to address goals of 1 - collecting both technical and community engagement information for effectively addressing water quality issues in communities and 2 – developing resources for responding
PACE Workgroup is working on the following:o Submitting article for publication in the Spring edition of the PAC Newsletter to encourage
o Submitted COA Frontline Article in February 2019 about AAAS Event from 2/15 to 2/16 o PACE Event Outreach
STEM Career Day on 2/1/2019 and talked to nearly 286 high school students about USPHS Engineering at Chesapeake Math and Information Technology Charter School in Laurel, MD
AAAS Event with 758 people riding a bike that generates electricity and educating importance of healthy eating and active living while discussing DC permanent magnet generators work and the concept of Lenz’s and Faraday’s Law
Planning an event to use Sustainable Bike during University of MD Day on 4/27/2019
o Naloxone Face Mask Developed a prototype 3D Print Mask to reduce Naloxone Training kit costs by
75% ($1,100 is the original costs for kit) Developing a 3D cast mold to fabricate masks using silicone
o Working with CCHQ DSI to building information system to incorporate PACE data into USPHS IT Systems
Developed functional, security, and reporting requirements in January 2019 Developed data attributes definitions document in February 2019 Next scheduled meeting is 3/22/2019
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Engineering Impact Measure In 2018, CDR Virani and LCDR Palo started to look at inputs that could be used to help
articulate the impact of the work performed by engineers at FDA. FDA publishes a variety of performance metrics, such as establishments inspected and
medical product applications approved, and there are several internal reports that were initially identified.
Moving forward in 2019, CDR Virani and LCDR Palo will look to generate a tool or format that can use these inputs to help share the good work done by engineers, particularly from the various regulatory actions and product reviews by those in the FDA Centers as well as the engineers serving as field investigators in the Office of Regulatory Affairs.
There are also a variety of engineers serving in supervisory and management roles that need to determine how best to share their impact. It appears initially we’ll have both quantitative measures and more of narrative-style qualitative measures.
LCDR Palo will continue working with CDR Jit Virani and LT Tim Martin as they develop the workplan.
This will be a project that continues into 2020, and ideally will provide a model to use at the other OpDivs.
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COA EPAC reached out to Community Engineering Corps on 3/13/2019 and how to explore
how COA can engage Briefed John McElligott, COA Director, and excited about the opportunity COA Board of Directors meeting this month and reach out to CDR Thakur through email
if you have any issues that need to be raised by email [email protected]
JOAG LT Velasco ([email protected]) Call for Nominations for JOAG Voting Members
The Junior Officer Advisory Group (JOAG) requests nominations for 12 open positions for Voting Membership for the 2019-2021 Fiscal Years.
JOAG is the voice for junior officers in the Commissioned Corps and is responsible for advising the Surgeon General on matters that affect junior officers. Voting Members serve as the leadership of this organization. Each category is represented by one Voting Member with an additional 11 at-large members for a total of 22 Voting Members. The JOAG Executive Committee is elected from within the Voting Membership. Current Voting Members select incoming Voting Members based upon published criteria. The Voting Membership term may be one or two years and begins on October 1st.
If you know a motivated and dedicated junior officer, please encourage them to self-nominate for the following open slots:
DentalDietitianPharmacistPhysicianScientistVeterinarianAt-Large (6 openings) – can be filled with Engineers
Requirements: For a 2-year term you must be an active duty junior officer (T-04 and below) and you must NOT be eligible to pin-on T-05 (Commander) prior to July 1, 2021. For a 1-year term you must be an active duty junior officer (T-04 and below) in the Dentist, Dietician, or Veterinarian category and you must NOT be eligible to pin-on T-05 (Commander) prior to July 1, 2020 and NOT eligible for a 2-year term. Any officer eligible for a 2 year term must apply for a 2 year term.
If you wish to have your eligibility checked in advance of submitting a nomination, please contact your agency liaison with your name, rank, and PHS Number to ask for an eligibility check.
For questions or to submit nominations for Voting Membership, contact LCDR Ogo Ogoegbunam, Co-Chair, VM at [email protected]. Nominations are due no later than April 8, 2019.
The Communications sub-group of the Nicotine Cessation Services Access Workgroup (NCSAW) is looking for two individuals to join our team! Previous experience providing intensive tobacco cessation services is required. We are looking for someone with website development skills to help advertise our services to external stakeholders and someone who may enjoy traveling (though not required) to various conferences like COA, HOSA, IHS QUAD, and AMSUS to coordinate tobacco cessation training and booth setup. There are no funds to support this travel, so it would be self-paid or supported by your respective agency. This will be a great opportunity to meet new people across the country and expand your horizon!
If interested please email your CV and a brief statement detailing your experience and willingness to be an active member to both LT Sean Navin at [email protected] and LCDR Stacey Nelson at [email protected].
The JOAG Communications & Publications Committee (CPC) is soliciting articles to be featured in the 2019 Spring Edition of The Junior Officer Chronicles (JOC).
All articles are reviewed for content, readability, and relevance. If your article is selected for inclusion, you may be contacted for further information.
Limit articles to around 500 words (single page, single-spaced) Articles should be written in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format. Use Times
New Roman 12-point font. Test any hyperlinked references included in the article. Title your article “JOC Spring 2019” then Article Title and First Author’s last
name (e.g. JOC Spring 2019 Recent Deployment Smith). Add the same information to the subject line of the submission email as bullet
above. Refer to the attached “JOC Article Submission Guidelines” document for
additional guidance.
Photos will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
.JPG or .PNG format are preferred with as high quality resolution as possible. Photos will only be accepted as attachments to email. Do not embed photos
within articles. Please attach any photos saved as JOC Season Year First Authors Last Name Photo number (e.g. JOC Spring 2019 Smith Photo 1).
Submitting photos to JOC implies consent for JOAG to use these photos for JOAG related events, publication, and other use as deemed necessary by the JOAG Chair and/or Senior Advisor. Please ensure all officers appearing in photos are wearing their uniform correctly. If you do not own the photo, please submit an authorization to release with your article. If there are civilians in the photo, you must obtain their authorization to publish the photo using the attached JOAG Photo Release Form.
When emailing your article please include “JOC Spring 2019” then Article Title and First Author’s last name (e.g. JOC Spring 2019 Recent Deployment Smith) in the subject line of the message.
A reviewer will be assigned to your article and may contact you for edits or further clarification.
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SAME Golden Eagle Dinner was held on 3/13/2019 last night Next Year’s Golden Eagle will be held at JETC Next Year’s JETC will be in Washington DC and will be the Centennial The Military Engineer – every publishes an article from USPHS and being assembled
with stories to suggest increasing USPHS visibility
Announcement from RADM Dieser on 3/12/2019 at 1330:
CALL FOR SAME ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION CAMP MENTOR OR CAMP STAFF (Deadline March 29, 2019)
SAME has been supporting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) events for over 30 years and conducting camps for almost 20 years.
SAME camps provide a rigorous experience for students interested in exploring STEM skills and careers. Campers gain a sense of what it takes to become a STEM professional and what options exist to explore that interest from high school to college and beyond. Each camp has a unique curriculum that generally features hands-on activities conducted in a competitive environment that promote teamwork, leadership, project management, and problem solving.
Campers are supervised by mentors made up of professional engineers, engineering students, military personnel, educators, and other STEM professionals. These mentors are committed to inspiring campers to pursue STEM in college. Mentors are also resources for the campers, providing long-term connections for the alumni.
MENTORSSAME Camps offer SAME Young Members, Engineers, Officers, teachers, and individuals with a STEM background a valuable opportunity to mentor tomorrow’s
engineers and STEM leaders. Mentors lead, guide, coach, supervise and support activities and share experiences with students about real-world projects in the STEM field. This is a great opportunity for USPHS Officers visibility among Sister Services to educate campers as well as other Services on U.S. Public Health Service. SAME would like at least one USPHS Officer volunteer at each of the E & C Camp.
Mentors spend the week at the camp and are assigned to groups of 10-12 campers.
Mentor CriteriaTo become a camp mentor, you should:
Have a background in a STEM field; Be active in SAME Post; and Have experience in mentoring or coaching young people.
Depending on the camp, mentors may be expected to attend the entire camp. Due to the strenuous nature of some of the activities, mentors should be physically fit and healthy.
Mentors will also need to go through a training on the protection of children. The training will be provided by SAME or the individual camp activity.
STAFFSome camps need individuals to support the camp in a staff or leadership role. Positions include:
program director operations director logistics director senior mentor day leader event leader
If you are interested in volunteering at one of the camps, please contact the appropriate camp director:
US Air Force Academy Engineering and Construction CampUS Air Force AcademyColorado Springs, CO2019 Dates: June 26-July 2, 2019View Camp Information.
US Air Force Engineering and Construction CampScott Air Force BaseScott AFB, IL2019 Dates: July 15-20, 2019View Camp Information.
US Marine Corps Engineering and Construction CampCamp LejeuneJacksonville, NC2019 Dates: June 23-29, 2019View Camp Information.
US Navy STEM Engineering and Construction CampNaval Construction Battalion CenterPort Hueneme, CA2019 Dates: June 23-29, 2019View Camp Information
EMAIL [email protected] IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE WITH FUNDING. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED AND NOT AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO STILL VOLUNTEER FOR THE REWARDING OPPORTUNITY.
CDR Steve Sauer ([email protected]) will be new SAME LNO Thank LCDR Coburn has been doing this
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CCWIAB
Dr. Barry Simon and CDR Gail Tarlton from Medical Affairs Branch (MAB) provided a brief presentation followed by a Q&A session.
Draft Worker Hazards Assessments Recommendations Breastfeeding policy proposed Pregnancy and Postpartum: disqualifying conditions during medical review for
commissioning reviewed policy Resource Guide for officers who are diagnosed with or who are survivors of cancer
developed Hair Regulations Policy Proposal drafted
o Route with LT Simpson Funding request with RADM Diesero It will not be an EPAC issue
USPHS and US Flago No more than $400 for funding requesto Only for EPAC Sanctioned eventso No more than $60 for transportation costso However, DC USPHS Engineers that are sponsored that can transporto Provide information and linked to Events Committeeo Action Item: Run this through the Events Subcommittee Chair and have them
look at the issue and how is it resolved to warrants the expenditureo Flag will require the coordination after expenditureo Historically difficult to get the flag based on LCDR Wong and will work with LCDR
Praveen to draft the proposal
Adjourn
Clarification on CCD 123.01 on the Policy CDR Russell will pass on inquiry with discussion with chair and CPO for clarification Will raise issue to next meeting if next
Last Minute Announcement Buy coins and hardhats Join You Tube Channel -
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDFMo_zNFrRD9oCaP0aF8Vg Suggested Social on Monday at Minneapolis, MN conflicts with Anchors and Caduceus
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