(Click on the buttons above to go to the specific DePAC Subcommittees page)

2008 Subcommittee/Workgroup Goals

Summary of 2007 Subcommittee/Workgroup Activities

2007 Subcommittee/Workgroup Goals

Summary of 2006 Subcommittee/Workgroup Activities

Accomplishments of 2007 DePAC Subcommittees and Workgroups

1. Awards WG

2007 Members:

CDR Vanessa Thomas- Chair

CDR Pat Sewell-Co-Chair

LCDR Brian Berg

CDR Dan Brockmeier

CDR Brenda Burges

CAPT James Hyland

LCDR Sheetal Solanki-Patel

LCDR Paul Wong

2007 Strategic Goals for the Awards Workgroup (AWG): 

1.  Recommended changes to the By-Laws to reflect the six DePAC awards and address basic readiness.

2. Standardization of the application process to include a more concise application form and require that the Curriculum Vitae is submitted in the dental format

3. Create templates and a more objective Awards Score Sheet for each award

4. Review of the "Shackleford Document" to address recognition of officers for their service to the DePAC

5. Nomination of 3-4 individuals for each DePAC award

6. Nominations for the Asian Pacific American Officers Committee Awards (APAOC) and the Hispanic Officers Advisory Committee Award

   (HOAC)

2007 Strategic Goals for the Awards Workgroup (AWG) Accomplished:

1. By-Laws updated to reflect the six DePAC awards

2. Standardization of the application process to include a concise application form - electronically processed

3. Reviewed the "Shackelford Document" to address recognition of officers for their service to the DePAC - Decided there is no need

   to implement the document

4. Processed 15 nominee applications for the six DePAC awards

5. Three dental officers were nominated and awarded the Minority Officers Liaison Council awards at the 2007 COA/COF Scientific

   Symposium

2.      CAREER DEVELOPMENT

2007 Members:

CAPT David Brizzee-Chair

CDR Michael Donaleski

CDR Michael Donaleski

CDR Maria Paz-Smith

CDR Robert Lloyd

CDR Michael

CDR McLaughlin

2007 Career Development WG Goals:

1. Update Career Development Resource Guide

2. Update Training Opportunities/Resources Summary web link.

3. Update Best Practices web link.

4. Assess how Career Development Review Board program initiated by IHS can best be utilized PHS-wide.

5. Remain open to pertinent issues put forth from Recruitment, Billets, Mentoring, Membership, and Retention WG's.

2007 Career Development WG Accomplishments:

1.  Dental Career Path Matrix - PHS Transformation tasker

 2. Career Dev. Resource Guide

 3. Career Dev. Review Board

 4. Training Opportunities/Best Practices review

 5. Dental Career Path Matrix - PHS Transformation tasker

3.Communications WG

2007 Members:

CAPT Steve Torna- Co-Chair

CAPT Coleman Palmertree Co-Chair

CAPT Suzanne Saville

CAPT Hsaio Peng

CAPT George Bird

CDR Phillip Driscoll

CDR Tim Rick

2007 Communications wg Goals:

1.  Publish newsletter two additional times during 2007.  Newsletter dates of publication to be announced but should correspond with COA and October respectively.

2.  Standardize Senior and Junior Spotlight Columns.

3.  Create a comprehensive USPHS dentistry issue for distribution to dental schools of events.

4.  Standardize Workgroup Reports for the Web Site.

5.  Publish 2007 Workgroup Rosters and Goals in February or March.

6.  Publish 2007 Workgroup Accomplishments in December.

7.  Update Web Site.

2007 Communications WG Accomplishments:

Web Page:

1.  The webpage was updated during the year, with WG reports, removal of outdated links and clinical library information, etc.

2.  2007 Workgroup Rosters and goals were published in a standard format.

3.    Workgroup accomplishments were not made available to publish in time for the December Deadline, but will be published in 2008.

4.       A new webmaster has been trained to assume responsibilities of further updates to the webpage (Continuous process during the year) (CAPT George Bird (2007), CDR Phillip Driscoll (2008))

* Due to OCCO mandates on centralizing web pages, there is a delay in further revamping

  of the web page

* The web page will need to be updated further, with input from the DePAC Executive Committee

     and full DePAC membership

Newsletter:

5.       Newsletter was published twice in 2007

6.       The Junior and Senior Spotlight articles were standardized with a Q&A interview type format.

7.       Newsletter was published at first of year; delay from December and after COA meeting due again in December.

8.       Pictures added in both article to bring faces to dental DePAC leadership, award Recipients and to give more appeal to newsletter;

9.       Newsletter printed in both .doc and .rtf format for officers to choose from to download.

10.  Future plans to set timelines in advance for contributory article deadlines

Recruitment Newsletter:

11. The Recruitment Newsletter was produced by the Recruitment WG but placed on link serve and web page.  A notice was sent out on the list serve for dental schools and all officers to access.

Dental Directory:

12. The directory was updated throughout the year as officers contacted the webmaster. The directory is still not inclusive of all Dental Category dentists, and there remains a need to further update it.  (To be determined CAPT George Bird (2007)

* It is recommended that one person (other than a webmaster) be responsible for the directory for 2008 (To be determined2008)

* The directory was a valuable communication tool in the beginning; Category officers need to be surveyed to see whether or not this remains to be true

Web EX:

13. During the latter part of the year, WebEx (sponsored by IHS HQE) was used to record meetings and allow more online interactivity among members

* WebEx was used for the last 3 DePAC meetings.  Most of the feedback was positive, although some negatives exist (anonymity of responses for membership discussions)

*-comments from WG

4.       Membership Workgroup:

2007 Members:

LCDR Stella Wisner

CAPT Carol Baxer

2007 Membership WG Goals:

1.       Produce Self-Nomination Form and E-mail Announcement-July

2.       Redesign Applicants Comparison Sheets-September

3.       Discuss Incoming Applications-September

4.       Finish Processing Applications and distributed to DePAC Members October

5.       Collect and Tally Votes for New DePAC Members November

2007 Membership WG Accomplishments:

1.  Produce Self-Nomination Form and E-mail Announcement

2.  Redesign Applicants Comparison Sheets

3.  Discuss Incoming Applications

4.  Finish Processing Applications and Distribute to DePAC Members

5.  Collect and Tally Votes for New DePAC Members

5. Mentoring WG

2007 Members

CAPT LaBadie- Chair

CAPT Kip Martin

CDR Glen Martin

CDR Valarie Wilson

CDR Khoi Nguyen

CDR Rich Kolanda

CDR Richard Schmidt

CAPT Mike Kincaid

LCDR Jeff Roth

2007 Mentoring WG Goals:

1.  The workgroup will provide a new officer information packet to newly commissioned officers.

2.  Issue a Call to Active Duty survey to new officers.

3.  Ensure that advanced training links on the dental homepage are current and active.

4.  Advise officers of training opportunities.

5.  Continue development of a career progression review process (as appropriate). 

6.  Promote the establishment of mentoring pairs.

2007 Mentoring WG Accomplishments:

1.       Welcome Packet from new Commissioned Officers

2.       CAD Mailings

3.       Web site Updates

4.       Survey of Supervisors

5.       Mentor Survey

6.       Protégée Survey

7.       Solicit New Members

8.       Solicit New Protégées

5.      Minority WG

2007 Members

CDR. S. Burrell

CDR Baguidy, Flauryse

CDR Failing, Robert

CDR Hartley, George

LCDR Smith, William

CAPT Sweeting, Wilnetta

CDR Wilson, Earlena

CDR Woods, Phillip

CDR Lewis-Baker, Tameka

CDR Morley, Vernon

2007 Minority WG Goals

1.       Implement MIS Survey and determine which issues are of utmost concern to MI

2.       Create a collaboration with the Minority Officers Liaison Committee (MOLC)

3.       Create a Career Development Board which assists Officers with navigating a career issues unique to

   minority officers.

2007 Minority WG Goals/Accomplishments:

1.       Unable to send out surveys as per OCCO this year, work was started on all three goals, but could not be

   completed.

6.      Recruitment WG

2007 Members

CAPT Hsiao Peng- Chair

CAPT Carol Baxer

LCDR Shani Lewins

CDR Sean Kelly

CAPT Mark McDowell

CDR Bob Smith

2007 Recruitment WG Goals

1.       Review WG’s position in relation to Associate Recruiter Program.

2.       Determine how the wg can best support the ARP and its needs and objectives.

3.       Identify PHS Dental materials and literature that can be standardized and distributed for recruitment 

   purposes.

4.       Evaluate recruitment efforts of PHS dental hygienists.

5.  Remain open to evaluate other recruitment issues pertinent to the Dental Category.

2007 Recruitment WG Accomplishments:

1. REC Newsletter 

2. Dental Web Page review 

3. Ensure all REC WG members are active AR's

7.      Retention WG

2007 Retention Members:

CAPT Raymond Lala- Co-Chair

CAPT Coleman Palmertree- C0-Chair

CDR Mofidi

CDR Brizzee

 2007 Retention WG Goals

1.       Wg was tasked to get the Retention Survey developed by previous DePAC WG’s into the hands of dental

   officers voluntarily separating from the Commissioned Corps.

2007 Retention WG Goals/Accomplishments:

1.       Attempted to get Retention Survey developed by previous DePAC Retention WG’s in hands of officers voluntarily separating from the Dental Category Items found to relate to and be involved with this process that needed further development.

2.       Future work for Retention WGs:

2.1   Corps definition of “Retention”

      2.2   Support to Officers to encourage retention

3.3.             DePAC’s possible involvement with other Professional groups to share information and common

      work efforts

2.4   Surveys to PHS Dental Officers on job satisfaction.

8.      WIS Sub Committee

2007 Members:

CDR. Renee Joskow

CAPT. RM. Klevens

CDR. D. Smith

CDR. V. Thomas

2007 WIS Sub Committee Goals: 

1.       Implement a survey and determine which issues are most frequently cited as a concern for women dentists  

   in public health.

2.       Take action on at least 2 of the concerns raised during open forum calls or identified.

3. Evaluate the promotion rate for women dentists in the Comm. Corps from 0-5 to 0-6.

2007 WIS Sub Committee Accomplishments 2007:

1.       Finalized a survey instrument to determine which issues are most frequently cited as a concern to women

   dentists in public health.

2.       Implemented a series of open forum conference calls for anonymous participants to raise concerns.

   Followed up on an issue raised by holding a panel discussion with four O-6 women dentists providing

   career advice for junior officers.

3.       Evaluated the rank status of women dentists in the Comm. Corps. Identified a significant difference in

   the likelihood of women being ranked CAPT or above. Issued request for additional data to evaluate

   further

2007 Subcommittee/Workgroup Goals

Women’s Issues Subcommittee

Goals:

Implement a survey and determine which issues are most frequently cited as a concern to

women dentists in public health.

Take action on at least 2 of the concerns raised during open forum calls or identified through the survey.

Evaluate the promotion rate for women dentists in the Comm. Corps from O-5 to O-6.

Evaluate the percentage of women dentists meeting readiness.  Are more females opting for the President's Challenge vs the APT?

Members:

CDR Joskow

CAPT Klevins

CDR Thomas

Dr. Smith

Awards Workgroup

Goals:  

Make recommended changes to the Bylaws:

•          Address Basic Readiness Requirement
•          Update to reflect current awards

Address the format of submitted Curriculum Vitae

Revise the application format so that it is more concise

Create a template for each award

Create a more objective Awards Score Sheet

Review the “Shakelford Document” and decide to implement or table

Nominate 3-4 individuals per award

Members:

CDR Vanessa Thomas - Chair

CDR Pat Sewell -Co-Chair

LCDR Brian Berg

CDR Dan Brockmeier

CDR Brenda Burges

CAPT James Hyland

LCDR Sheetal Solanki-Patel

LCDR Paul Wong

Communications Workgroup

Goals:

Publish newsletter two additional times during 2007.

Newsletter dates of publication to be announced but should correspond with COA and ADA meetings in June and October respectively.

Standardize Senior and Junior Spotlight Columns.

Create a comprehensive USPHS dentistry issue for distribution to dental schools and during recruitment events.

Standardize Workgroup Reports for the Web Site

Publish 2007 Workgroup Rosters and Goals in February or March.

Publish 2007 Workgroup Accomplishments in December.

Update Web Site.

Create an On-Line clinical library containing pertinent articles and PHS specialist information pertaining to medically compromised patients, prevention, and Program Management.

Members:

Stephen P. Torna

Suzanne Saville

Hsaio Peng

Coleman Palmertree

Philip Driscoll

Tim Ricks

George Bird

Recruitment Workgroup

Goals:

Review WG's position in relation to Associate Recruiter Program.

Determine how the WG can best support the ARP and its needs and objectives.

Identify PHS Dental materials and literature that can be standardized and distributed to dental schools or other recruitment purposes.

Evaluate recruitment efforts of PHS dental hygienists.

Remain open to evaluate other recruitment issues pertinent to the Dental Category.

Members:

Hsiao Peng

Carol Baxer

Shari Lewis

Sean Kelly

Marc McDowell

Tim Owen

Bob Smith

Larry Gettleman

Suzanne Saville

Winetta Sweeting

P. Preston

Mary Murphy

Career Development Workgroup

Goals:

Update Career Development Resource Guide

Update Training Opportunities/Resources Summary web link.

Update Best Practices web link.

 Assess how Career Development Review Board program initiated by IHS can best be utilized PHS-wide.

Remain open to pertinent issues put forth from Recruitment, Billets, Mentoring, Membership, and Retention WG's.

Members: 

Hsaio Peng

Robert Lloyd

David Brizzee

Minority Issues Subcommittee

Goals:

Implement MIS survey and determine which issues are of utmost concern to Minority Officers

Create a collaboration with the Minority Officers Liaison Committee (MOLC)

Create a Career Development Board which assists Officers with navigating a career in the CORPS and address issues unique to minority officers

Members:

CDR Baguidy, Flauryse

LCDR Burrell, Stephanie

CDR Failing, Robert

CDR Hartley, George

LCDR Smith, William

CDR Sweeting, Wilnetta

CDR Thomas, Vanessa

LCDR Woods, Phillip

Mentoring Workgroup Goals

Goals:

The workgroup will provide a new officer information packet to newly commissioned officers.

Issue a Call to Active Duty survey to new officers.

Ensure that advanced training links on the dental homepage are current and active.

Advise officers of training opportunities.

Continue development of a career progression review process (as appropriate). 

Promote the establishment of mentoring pairs.

Members:

Dave Labadie

Cris Morazon

Kip Martin

Glen Martin

Valarie Wilson

Khoi Nguyen

Mike Kinkaid

Mike Gmurek

Rich Kolanda

Rich Schmidt

Mary McEnery

Billets and Appointments Workgroup

Goals:

Our primary goal is to respond rapidly to requests from Transformation WIPTs, FACs, and WPDGs as needed

Members:

William Catelli

Phillip Woods

Ross Silver

Sharon Carter

Bob Smith

Claudia VonHendricks

William Bailey

Bruce Dye

Jan Colton

James Webb

2006 Summary of Subcommittee/Workgroup Activities

(click on the link below to go to that workgroup's report)

Operations Subcommittee

Communications Workgroup

Awards Workgroup

Readiness & Deployment Workgroup

Informatics Workgroup

Career Development Subcommittee

Mentoring Workgroup

Recruitment, Retention, & Appointments Workgroup

Minority Issues Subcommittee

Women's Issues Subcommittee

Call to Action Subcommittee

 Communications Workgroup

Year End Report

Communications workgroup had a busy year publishing newsletters and training new news editors.  During 2006, communications accomplished the following pre-established goals:

1. Published the newsletter three times.
2. Identify and train new editors CAPT Hsaio Peng and CDR Coleman Palmertree.
3. Reduced the volume of the newsletter by 50%.
4. Publish agency and DePAC workgroup reports on the website.
5. Identify and train new webmaster CDR Phillip Driscoll.

Awards Workgroup

November 2006

1. Members
• CDR Lynn Van Pelt - Chair
• CAPT Jose Rodriguez – Co-Chair
• CDR Pat Sewell – Co-Chair
• CDR Vanessa Thomas
• CDR James Hyland
• CAPT Angel Rodriguez-Espada
• CDR Brian Berg
• CAPT Kimberly Nigg
• Dr. Mary McEnery

2. Mission

·        The purpose of the Dental Professional Advisory Committee (DePAC) Awards Workgroup is to evaluate award nominations and make recommendations to the DePAC.  Secondarily, the Awards Workgroup will advise the DePAC and dental category on ways to encourage award nominations of dental officers by their respective supervisors. 

3. Objectives

·        Evaluate award nominations submitted to the DePAC. To develop criteria for awards appropriateness for DePAC and clarify process so it is transparent.

• Prepare guide/schedule of annual award nominations
• Draft memoranda recognizing outgoing DePAC Members, DePAC Chairperson, and CPO upon the expiration of appointments
• Maintain draft example award write-ups for dental supervisors to assist them in submitting award nominations
• Maintain cognizance of the existing CS and CC award programs and opportunities.

4. Conference Calls
• Conference calls: June, July, August, and September 2006

5. Accomplishments for 2006
• The workgroup solicited and completed 29 nominations for the category awards. 
• Formulated the Awards Board of Consultant to assist the members of the workgroup with awards review and edits. 

Readiness and Deployments

2006 Activities

Chair: CAPT Dave LaBadie

                                                                    Vice Chair: CDR George Bird

• Established bi-monthly review of OFRD readiness reports on dental officers.
• Data tabulated, analyzed for trends, and presented to DePAC in chart form.
• Recommended unready officers be contacted and encouraged to meet requirements.
• Readiness resource contacts established.
• Listserver survey on availability of immunizations sent to dental officers.
• Listserver survey on cooperation of service units in IHS sent to dental officers.
• Indian Health Service, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Prisons queried on agency policy concerning providing immunizations.
• The following recommendations were presented and researched for feasibility:

•      The use of commissioned corps personnel to deliver immunizations at large meetings, such as COA.
•      Using an OFRD deployment to provide immunizers.
•      Using Federal Occupational Health personnel to deliver immunizations.

• Created flow sheet explaining procedure for obtaining reimbursement for immunizations if no MTF or Tricare provider available
• Established quarterly e-mail reminder on readiness requirements.
• Sent e-mail reminder to acquire influenza vaccination.
• Recommended that officers’ OFRD requirements be clustered as much as possible around an easily remembered anniversary date. OFRD considering proposal.
• Investigated feasability of requiring readiness for loan payback.
• Established formal guidelines for DePAC action for unready officers.

Informatics Workgroup

     During 2006 the Informatics Workgroup has continued to strive to be the focal point for dental informatics within the USPHS and serve as a resource for informatics and electronic health record information.  We have accomplished this by establishing informatics contacts with each of the major operating divisions that have a dental presence.  We reached out to each of these OPDivs to understand their respective informatics activities through an informational questionnaire. The workgroup is actively engaged in the emerging dental informatics policies at the national level through its representation on both the ADA Standards Committee on Dental Informatics and the ADA Presidential Task Force on the National Healthcare Information Infrastructure (NHII).  In these roles we reviewed a number of dental informatics technical reports and participated in the development of the first standard for the electronic periodontal attachment. We are currently evaluating and participating in the development of dental public health use case scenarios and the use of diagnostic codes for dentistry.  The use case scenarios will be used as the basis for dentistry’s contribution to the NHII.  Our activities on these committees have allowed us to provide timely information on the rapidly changing area of electronic health record to the DePAC.

Career Development Subcommittee 2006

Over the past ten months, the Career Development Subcommittee has worked with the Commissioned Corps Joint Career Development Committee and finalized documents that may be utilized by all PACs.

These documents are:

·          The Training Opportunities/Resources  Summary and the "Best Practices" Suggestions are intended as resources for use by the PACs and Officer Groups as desired.  In addition the Training summary will soon be available online at the APAOC website ( http://www.usphs-apaoc.org/) and eventually on a Career Development link from the CCMIS website (http://dcp.psc.gov/).  This document will be updated periodically.

Also, the Commissioned Corps Joint Career Development Committee had Career Counseling sessions offered at the COA meeting in May, 2006, of which the DePAC CDS assisted in those sessions.

In addition, the CDS worked with the PAC Chair Benchmark Subcommittee.  This Submitted worked on Category Benchmarks 1 and 4 for the PY07 promotion cycle.  The group gathered input from all the PACs and JOAG, and put forth a document that was to be approved by all the CPOs and sent forth to the SGPAC and OCCFM for final approval.

The DePAC CDS will be working with CAPT Linda Jackson (I.H.S.) with the already established Career Development Review Board to utilize it across the other PHS Agencies.  Other agencies have expressed an interested in adopting such a Review Board.  The DePAC CDS is continually working on this project.

The DePAC CDS main accomplishment for 2006 was the development and posting of the Dental Career Development Resource Guide (CDRG).  This Guide is a living document that is an all-inclusive resource for new Public Health Service dentists.  It is updated bi-annually on the Dental Category Website.

Membership Workgroup- LCDR Stella Wisner

The Membership workgroup worked on, and completed, the following items this year:

In February, the ADA Delegate Selection Committee, under the Membership Workgroup, solicited for candidates for the delegacy over the dental list serve and bulletin board, tabulated the votes, and announced the results to the dental category via the dental list serve. Out of three candidates, one new delegate was elected to the ADA House of Delegates to represent the PHS. The Membership workgroup was able to place most all of the 2006 DePAC applicants into DePAC workgroups.  Non-DePAC applicants that contacted the Membership workgroup in order to volunteer on the PAC were delegated onto Chairs and Co-Chairs requesting that those inquiring PHS dentists be considered to join a workgroup.  Next was the DePAC membership drive itself. After the solicitations for new DePAC members went out, eighteen applications were then collected and distributed. Data was collected to assist the current DePAC members in voting with certain considerations in mind, mainly to approximate the composition of DePAC to be representative of the dental category in terms of ranks, gender, and agencies. The Membership workgroup collected the votes, and the results were announced to DePAC. The new members will begin their term in January 2007. The non-selectees will be placed into DePAC workgroups according to their preferences as stated in their applications. 

Mentoring Workgroup- CAPT Bill Catelli

Throughout 2006, the Mentoring workgroup continually worked on matching protégées and mentors and mailed welcome packets to new Call to Active Duty dental officers.  In addition, the Mentoring WG met seven times in 2006, and continues to brainstorm and develop new ideas for improving mentoring.  The WG will continue discussing and planning for ways to advertise advanced training opportunities to interested dental officers.

Recruitment/Retention/Assignments Workgroup- CAPT Dave LaBadie

Over the course of 2006, the Associate Recruiter requirements were reassigned to the Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (OCCO), and the Promotion Development Board was delegated to the agency headquarters.  The Call to Active Duty questionnaire was approved, sent out, data tabulated, and presented to DePAC. After discussion between the DePAC Executive Committee and the Workgroup chairs of RRA and Mentoring, it was decided that the CAD may be better suited in the Mentoring workgroup.  The Exit survey format and introduction letter were finalized and approved by the DePAC. In addition, a working relationship was established with OCCO for names of officers leaving the service.  Those officers were sent e-mails that included the exit survey and postal contacts are still in progress. The RRA Workgroup is still waiting for billet restructuring to be posted.

Mentoring Workgroup

Annual Report 2006

CAPT Bill Catelli, Chair/CDR Robin Scheper, Co-Chair

During the 2006 calendar year, the Mentoring Workgroup continued matching protégées and mentors.  The WG began the responsibility of mailing welcome packets to all new call-to-active-duty (CAD) dental officers.

The Mentoring WG met eight times in 2006 and continues to brainstorm and develop new ideas for improving mentoring.  The Mentoring WG helps to ensure that links stay current, on the dental web page, for advanced training opportunities for PHS dental officers.  The WG will continue discussing and planning for ways to advertise advanced training opportunities to interested dental officers.

The Mentoring WG is working on finalizing WG goals for the 2007 year.  Our current Mentoring WG members are listed below:

CAPT Bill Catelli, Chair, CDR Robin Scheper, Vice-Chair, CAPT Bret Downing, CAPT Mike Gmurek, CAPT Mike Kincaid, CAPT Dave Lundahl, CDR Glenn Martin, CDR Rich Kolanda, CDR Kip Martin, CDR Khoi Nguyen, CDR Kris Sareault, CDR Valarie Wilson, Dr. Mary McEnery

The Mentoring WG meets quarterly.  However, if need be, the WG can meet more often and generally schedules meetings on the fourth Thursday of the month at 1430 EST.

Recruitment, Retention, and Appointments Workgroup

2006 Activities

Chair: CAPT Dave LaBadie

Co-Vice Chairs: CAPT Hsaio Peng/CDR Carol Baxer

• The Exit Survey content and format was finalized and approved.
• An introductory letter was created and approved.
• Instructions for e-mail participation in survey were created and approved.
• Instructions for postal communications were created.
• Survey questionnaires were disseminated.
• The Call to Active Duty Survey was finalized and approved.
• Survey questionnaires  were disseminated.
• Replies were tabulated and analyzed.
• Report and analysis were presented to DePAC and Lead Recruiters.
• The CAD Survey was reassigned to the Mentoring workgroup.
• Requirements and policies for associate recruiters were prepared, but the creation of ARP program guidelines was assumed by a higher authority.  The project was terminated.
• A Promotion Plan Review Board administrated through the DePAC was proposed and investigated, but the concept was raised to the level of the various agency headquarters. The project was terminated.
• A billets guide for the promotion boards was suggested and its feasibility investigated. The project was suspended pending the releases of new standardized billet descriptions by the various agencies.
• The Dental Webpage was reviewed for accuracy and currentness.

Minority Issues Subcommittee Annual Report

     The 2006 MIS Strategic goals were to finalize and distribute a survey of minority USPHS officers in an attempt to ascertain what issues were relevant to them; to develop a USPHS Minority Officers Career Development Board, including a charter; to establish a Minority Officer Mentoring program, and  to continue and deepen MIS Partnerships with minority-based dental organizations.

     We surpassed our initial goals. Presently the MIS Survey has been finalized, approved by DePAC, the Executive Council, and RADM Halliday; it now awaits action from OCCO.  An informal survey has begun as we await the OCCO decision. We developed the first official Partner Letters for the Hispanic Dental Association, National Dental Association, Society of American Indian Dentists, and the Asian/Pacific Islander Officer Advisory Group.  They were approved by DePAC, signed by RADM Halliday, CDR Ricks and LCDR Woods and disseminated to the various organizations. The Partner Letters symbolize our goal of reaching out, introducing ourselves as allies to the Minority Representative Dental Organizations, continuing and deepening our professional relationships.

     Good movement occurred this towards development of the mentoring board for minority officers. After productive discussion, efforts were made to ensure all MIS members met OFRD Readiness standards, completed online NIMS training (required EMI courses), and immunization training modules. A JCAHO Readiness document was designed to assist preparation for JCAHO visits.  This clear, user-friendly document covers infection control, radiation hygiene, chart review, emergency situations, patient education, equipment maintenance, staff privileges, performance improvement, as well as several other topics. A similar tool was presented to assist with preparing for BOP Peer Review Site visits, addressing the most commonly observed deficiencies and corrective steps one might follow to remedy deficiencies.

This has been a productive year for MIS. We anticipate final approval from OCCO and dissemination of the MIS Survey. An Action Plan will be developed based on the results obtained.

Women's Issues Subcomittee (WIS) of DePAC

October 2006

I. Members WIS 2006 and contact information

II. WIS MISSION

WIS provides advice and consultation to DePAC on issues relevant to Civil Service and Commissioned Corps women dentists. 

III.       OBJECTIVES

WIS functions in a resource and advisory capacity to assist DePAC highlighting these objectives:

(1)        Identify issues of concern to Civil Service and Commissioned Corps women dentists and facilitate their resolution.

(2)               Promoting cooperation and communication among women dental professionals and other health professionals.

IV. Conference calls are held quarterly: March, June, September, December

V. Accomplishments 2006:

• Recruited and supported participation of 2 new members.
• Finalized survey instrument to describe issues that would justify action and continuation of the WIS.
• Proposed new forum for anonymous discussion of issues affecting civil service and commissioned corps women in dentistry.

Call To Action Subcommittee

Goals/Objectives for 2006

• Collaborate with the activities of the DHHS Oral Health Coordinating Committee to update the inventory of PHS activities in support of the call to action.
• Publicize PHS efforts through newsletter articles.
• Use CTA activities to highlight the connection with the SG's Report on Oral Health and highlight the impact of DePAC activities on clinical issues.
• Identify other areas to highlight such as the NIH Office-Based Research Network programs.

The  subcommittee is awaiting direction from RADM Halliday  on coordinating with the OHCC to update the  inventory of PHS activities since the retirement of CAPT Jim Lipton.  Follow up with emails to the CDC dentists have failed to obtain CDC participation in the CTA Subcommittee.

CAPT Lala has submitted an article on national licensure and access to care for the newsletter.

CDR Scheper will submit and article regarding the Primary Care Coalition, in addition to updating the CTA on what the current status is of PCC and PHS.  Recent developments include the initiation of a MOU between PHS and the District of Columbia to provide officers for part time dental services at DC clinics.  CDR Jim Schaefer is the PHS contact for this effort.