The
Commissioned Officers Association (COA) is an organization whose members
are:
active regular
active reserve
inactive reserve
retired
former Commissioned Officers of the US Public Health Service.
We tackle legislative and policy issues on behalf of our members; raise
consciousness regarding public health issues and the PHS Commissioned Corps
in national and local media; serve as a resource for information on relevant
issues and concerns; provide a local base for networking and community
involvement and education through more than 50 local branches; and provide a
national base for networking and continuing education through our Annual
Professional Conference.
COA is
the only organization working exclusively
on behalf of PHS Commissioned Corps Officers.....We are committed to you!
What is important to you? You might say…
Developing your career as a health professional
Advancing your career as a Commissioned Officer
Furthering your education
Ensuring you receive special pays and benefits available to other branches
of the Uniformed Services
Elevating the status of the Commissioned Corps as a uniformed service within
government
COA is the one association that works for the things that are important to
you.
How can COA serve you?
COA is your legislative aide.
COA maintains a presence on Capitol Hill through phone calls, letter
campaigns and meetings. We build relationships with key Congress members and
staffers and ensure backing and support on Corps-related issues and
legislation.
Who has time to keep up with the legislative branch? COA gives you monthly
updates on what’s happening on Capitol Hill that may affect you. Special pay
provisions, budget-related information, health care policy updates and other
hot issues are summarized for you. We tell you what we’re doing about these
issues and what you can do about them. Do you need more information about a
certain topic? Members are invited to call or e-mail us for more information
anytime.
Want to write to your Representative or Senator? Want to write to the key
people who are at the forefront of public health debates? We can let you
know who to contact, how to contact them and even help you with what to say.
We can give you guidelines on starting a local letter-writing campaign of
your own.
COA has been instrumental in preserving the position of the Surgeon General
and calling for a Surgeon General nominee. We have made tremendous progress
in focusing attention and generating support among members of Congress
regarding this issue. One of the ways we have done this is by working with
former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop and other esteemed public health
professionals who came together as a COA Advisory Panel. Just recently, this
panel sent letters to Congress and to the President, calling for the
nomination of a new Surgeon General and the strengthening of the
Commissioned Corps. We also have the continuing support of The Military
Coalition (TMC), which consists of 25 military organizations and a combined
representation of five million people.
COA is your media consultant.
Beyond Capitol Hill, the presses are running, the cameras are rolling, and
every organization must contend with negative press from time to time. COA
has been vigilant in responding to negative media attention focused on the
Commissioned Corps. In addition to dispelling myths, COA takes a proactive
approach by raising awareness and educating the public about the people who
comprise the Corps and the contributions they make.
COA offers local branches and individual members guidelines on how to
respond to a negative account in their local media, or how to compose a
proactive piece.
COA is your career development specialist.
How many ways can you network? How is your continuing education coming
along? Are you plugged into the latest Corps developments? Are you planning
for your retirement? Advancing in your career as a health professional and
also as a Corps officer is a two-fold task that may be difficult to balance,
especially if you’re hard at work in a remote location. Let COA help you
stay on top of the latest issues within the Department of Health & Human
Services and the Program Support Center.
Continuing your education and networking with hundreds of other Corps
officers can be accomplished in one step during our Professional Conference
, held annually in various locations around the country. Spend three days
attending seminars, presentations, awards ceremonies, special workshops and
social events. Catch up with former colleagues, make new contacts, fulfill
your CE requirements and have a great time.
COA is your biggest fan.
We believe in the mission of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public
Health Service. We are a staunch advocate for issues most important to you –
those relating to public health. We are a constant presence when it comes to
issues regarding benefits, special pays, and parity with the other uniformed
services. We strive to meet your needs at every level possible – which means
behind-the-scenes work like visits to the Capitol and letters to the
President. But it also means sending out a newsletter that gives you useful
and timely information; offering you sound, affordable insurance programs;
maintaining a web site that will be interesting and functional, and simply
responding quickly to your requests over the phone. We are committed to you.
Click here for
a list of
Local
branches
Click here for an
Application
for Membership
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