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Announcements
1. Change in COER Rating Period
2. ACOA Uniform Swap Shop
3. ACOA is Selling US Public Health Service Flags!
4. DEERS Reminder
5. BLS Classes Offered at the VA Hospital

Articles
1. Promotion Ceremony to be Held in July
2. How to Use Fruits and Vegetables to Help Manage Your Weight
3. ACOA Adopt-A-Highway- May Clean-up
4. ACOA Serves at USO
5. Health Care Benefits
6. Summary of Promotion Precept Information Sessions
7. ACOA Crunch and Runs Hit “70” for 2005….!!
8. National COA Executive Director, CAPT Jerry FarrelL (USN, ret.), Speaks to Atlanta Membership
9. Update from National COA
 

COA USPHS Professional Conference. June 6-10, Wyndham Franklin Plaza.  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Crunch and Run. June 18 and July 16, 0900, St. Pius High School Athletic Track at Shallowford Rd and I-85. Contact:  LCDR Joe Little at (770) 488-3339 (June) and CAPT Arnold Manangan (770) 488-1869 (July).

Lifestyle-sponsored BLS HCP Renewal Courses.  June 21 and July 12, 0900.  Detailed information and registration procedures at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/occp/readiness/ls_bls_atlanta.htm.

CCRF Computer Modules.  June 24 and July 22, 0800 to 1630, Koger Center, Stanford Building, Goddard Computer Room at 2160 Brandywine Road. Contact: CAPT Arnold Manangan (770) 488-1869.

ACOA Promotion Ceremony (open to all Atlanta-based officers).  July 15, 0900, 1825 Century Center Blvd, Conference Rooms 1A & 1B.  Contact: CDR Craig Wilkins at (404) 639-7057.

ACOA Roadside Clean-up.  August 13, 0930-1130, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (1450 Ponce De Leon Ave NE). If you are interested in volunteering, please contact LCDR Melanie Myers at (770) 488-8510 or CAPT (ret.) Gary Noonan (770) 488-3449.


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Articles Promotion Ceremony to be Held in July The annual promotion ceremony for Atlanta-area officers will be held on July 15th at Century Center, Building 1825, Room 1A/1B. Officers who have been promoted will receive an invitation in early July. Family members are welcome to attend the ceremony and watch the newly promoted officers receive their new shoulder boards. More details will be announced. RADM John Donald Millar (ret.) will be speaking as the guest of honor, and CAPT Austin Hayes will serve as Master of Ceremonies. A small reception will be held immediately afterwards. Questions should be directed to CDR Craig Wilkins at (404) 639-7057.

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How to Use Fruits and Vegetables to Help Manage Your Weight

Fruit and vegetables are part of a well-balanced and healthy diet. There are many different ways to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Eating more fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains and lean meats, nuts, and beans is a safe and healthy way to lose weight. There are many health benefits to eating more fruits and vegetables, beyond helping control body weight. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk for cancer and other chronic diseases. Fruits and vegetables also provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that are important for good health.

To lose weight, you must eat fewer calories than your body uses. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to eat less food. You can create lower-calorie versions of some of your favorite dishes by substituting low-calorie fruits and vegetables in place of other, higher-calorie ingredients. The water and fiber in fruits and vegetables will add volume to your dishes, so you can eat the same amount of food, but with fewer calories. Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and they are filling.

If you are at appropriate body weight, you may still need to reduce calories to avoid adding unwanted weight in the future. This could be the case if you gradually become less active, in which case your body would need fewer calories.

Here are some simple ways to cut calories and eat fruits and vegetables throughout your day:

Breakfast
Cut back on the amount of cereal in your bowl and replace it with cut-up bananas, peaches, or strawberries. You can still eat a full bowl, but with fewer calories.

Lunch
Substitute vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, or onions for 2 ounces of the cheese and 2 ounces of the meat in your sandwich, wrap, or burrito. The new version will fill you up with fewer calories than the original.

Instead of this:                                        Try this:
                   

Dinner
Take a good look at your dinner plate. Vegetables and fruit should take up the largest portion of your plate. If they do not, replace some of the meat, cheese, white pasta, or rice with steamed broccoli, asparagus, greens, or other vegetables. This will reduce the total calories in your meal without reducing the amount of food you eat. However, remember to use a normal- or small-size plate — not a platter. The total number of calories that you eat counts, even if a good proportion of them come from fruits and vegetables.

Smart Snacks
Most healthy eating plans allow for one or two 100-calorie snacks a day. Choosing most fruits and vegetables will allow you to eat a snack without surpassing 100 calories.

Instead of a high-calorie snack from a vending machine, bring some cut-up vegetables or fruit from home. One snack-sized bag of corn chips (1 ounce) has the same number of calories as a small apple, 1 cup of whole strawberries, AND 1 cup of carrots with ¼ cup of low-calorie dip. Substitute one or two of these options for the chips, and you will have a satisfying snack with fewer calories.

Remember: Substitution Is the Key. It’s true that fruits and vegetables are lower in calories than many other foods, but they do contain some calories. If you start eating fruits and vegetables in addition to what you usually eat, you are adding calories and may gain weight. The key is substitution. Eat fruits and vegetables instead of other higher-calorie food.

Eat fruits and vegetables the way nature provided—or with very simple cooking techniques. Try steaming your vegetables, using low-calorie or low-fat dressings, and using herbs and spices to add flavor. Some cooking techniques, such as breading and frying, or using high-fat dressings or sauces will greatly increase the calories and fat in the dish. And eat your fruit raw to enjoy its natural sweetness.

Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are good options when fresh produce is not available. However, choose those without added sugar, syrup, cream sauces, or other ingredients that will add calories.

Choose whole fruit over fruit drinks and juices. Fruit juices have lost fiber from the fruit. It is better to eat the whole fruit because it contains the added fiber that helps you feel full. One 6-oz serving of orange juice has 85 calories vs. 65 calories in a medium orange.

Whole fruit gives you a bigger size snack than the same fruit dried—for the same number of calories. A small box of raisins (¼ cup) is ~100 calories. For the same number of calories, you can eat 1¼ cups of grapes.

Want More Information? Check out these sites for more information about how fruits and vegetables can help you manage your weight:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5 A Day Program
US Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy and Practice
National Cancer Institute 5 A Day Program
Produce for Better Health Foundation

Contributing authors: LCDR Beth Tohill, LCDR Heidi Blanck, Research to Practice Workgroup, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, NCCDPHP, CDC

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ACOA Adopt-A-Highway- May Cleanup

Fourteen officers and their family members gathered at a local church on May 14, 2005 to remove litter along a one mile strip of road on Ponce De Leon Avenue between Briarcliff and Clifton Roads. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and an ideal opportunity to contribute to helping keep the environment clean, as well as network and meet other officers and their family members. The roadside cleanup is sponsored by ACOA as part of the Georgia Adopt-a-Highway program. Please join us for our next quarterly cleanup on August 13th at 0930. We meet at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; 1450 Ponce de Leon Avenue, NE, Atlanta, GA. Friends and family members of all ages are welcome. For questions, contact LCDR Melanie Myers or CAPT (ret.) Gary Noonan.

Pictured above: (1st row L-R) CAPT Edecia Richards, Renee Galloway, LCDR Melanie Myers, CAPT Melinda Wharton with son Ian. (2nd row) LCDR Rachel Avchen, Edecia’s husband Rich, CDR Julie Magri, CAPT Michael Campsmith and CDR Mark Miller. (3rd row) CDR Larry Cseh and LCDR Joseph Little.
Not pictured: Keysha Ross.
Photo courtesy of Gary Noonan.

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ACOA Serves at USO

CAPT Chad Helmick and CDR Julie Magri represented ACOA as United Services Organization (USO) Volunteers from 1000 to 1400 on May 21st. They staffed the kitchen and kept the self-serve area well-stocked with sandwiches, coffee, drinks, desserts, etc. Three regular volunteers from the Kiwanis took care of other duties. Business was cyclical in accordance with the schedule of military flights. Soldiers on "2 weeks R&R" started drifting in for a return flight to Iraq at 1300. Most were enlisted personnel, and there were a few family members as well. After handing out small USO care packages to those in uniform, CAPT Helmick and CDR Magri helped escort the 50 or so soldiers through the airport atrium to the applause of other passengers--the highlight of the morning. The soldiers appreciated the service and attention. For more information on future opportunities to serve at USO, contact CDR Ross Spears at 404-498-2269

Thanks to CAPT Chad Helmick and CDR Julie Magri for their support!

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Health Care Benefits

Dental Program Processing Change

On May 1st, 2005 United Concordia Companies Inc. (UCCI), in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, assumed administration of the PHS Dental Program. What does this mean to you as an active duty officer? Your dental entitlements will remain the same, the only changes are:

• UCCI will process all PHS dental claims and UCCI will make all pre-treatment determinations (e.g. provide authorization for complex procedures such as periodontal surgery and multiple crowns). The appeals process for denied claims will be initiated by you or your authorized party to UCCI. UCCI will provide an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to officers and their dental provider for each episode of care.

Note: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SWITCH TO A UNITED CONCORDIA DENTAL PROVIDER

If you have an established relationship with a dentist who is not a UCCI network provider, you may continue to seek dental care from that individual. UCCI will continue to pay claims on the current PHS maximum allowable fee schedule at 100% (same fee schedule as in the past). Non-network providers may request that you pay the entire fee at the time of service. In this case, it is the officer’s responsibility to submit the claim to UCCI for reimbursement.

If you currently see an UCCI dental provider, they will be reimbursed at 100% per UCCI’s network maximum allowable fee schedule and will submit claims to UCCI on your behalf. Read more at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/occp/healthcare/dental/index.htm or contact CDR Dan Cline, (770) 488-1883 if you have questions.

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Summary of Promotion Precept Information Sessions

ACOA sponsored a series of presentations on May 4th and May 26th, covering Category Specific Benchmarks to assist Commissioned Officers in planning their careers and optimizing their chances for promotion. Representatives, past and present, from the different Commissioned Corps Professional Advisory Committees (PACs) provided separate overviews of the specific benchmarks from their categories. A tremendous amount of useful information was provided along with an opportunity for officers to ask specific questions concerning their category’s benchmarks. The presentations were well received by the attending officers. Copies of presentation materials are posted on the ACOA website for officers who were unable to attend. At present, requests have been made to repeat the Scientist Benchmark presentation. Additional benchmark presentations may be scheduled for later in the year.

ACOA would like to express its gratitude and appreciation to the officers who volunteered their time and presented in order to assist their fellow Officers:

LCDR Kim Walker, Health Services Officer
LCDR Daphne Moffett, Science Officer
CAPT Shanna Nesby-O’Dell, Veterinary Officer
CAPT Mike Herring, Environmental Health Officer
CAPT Craig Shepherd, Environmental Health Officer
CAPT Rosemarie Hirsch, Medical Officer
CDR Amy Collins, Nurse Officer

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ACOA Crunch and Runs Hit “70” for 2005….!!

ACOA’s regularly scheduled Crunch and Runs, and the Fitness Test offered at the EIS Prediction Run have allowed 71 officers to complete their annual physical fitness testing requirements thus far in 2005.

ACOA has been providing opportunities for Officers to complete their Annual Physical Fitness Testing requirement at the “Crunch and Run”, which is held on the third Saturday of each month at the St. Pius High School Track in Atlanta. At this event, officers can complete the three components of the fitness test: a 1.5 mile run, push-ups, and crunches or side bridges. The additional Crunch and Run was held in conjunction with the EIS Prediction Run on April 12th at the Brook Run Park in Dunwoody. Forty-two officers were certified at this event!

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June Fitness Events Offered by the Lifestyle Program

Seminar: Tips on Completing the Peachtree Road Race
What you eat and how you train in the weeks leading up to the race will enhance or harm your performance. Discussion led by an exercise physiologist and registered dietitian.
When: Friday, June 3
Time: 1130-1230
Place: Roybal Campus, Building 11S, Lifestyle Fitness Center Conference Room
**Call 404-639-2164 to register.

Fitness Starter Sessions
A fun and easy way to learn about exercise and the Lifestyle Fitness Centers. Sign up for one or all of these sessions to learn about the components of fitness and the equipment offered in the Lifestyle Fitness Centers.

Cardiovascular:
Session 1: Tuesday, June 7, 1100-1130.  Equipment covered: Treadmills, Elliptical Cross-Trainer, Arc Trainer.
Session 2: Thursday, June 9, 1100-1130.  Equipment covered: Bikes (recumbent and upright), NuStep Recumbent Stepper.

Strength:
Session 1: Monday, June 13, 1245-1315.  Equipment covered: Leg Curl, Leg Extension, Row/Rear Delt, Chest Press, Back Extension, Abdominal Crunch.
Session 2:  Wednesday, June 15, 1245-1315.  Equipment covered: Leg Press, Pull Down, Overhead Press, Arm Extension, Arm Curl.

Flexibility:
Session 1: Tuesday, June 21. Equipment covered: Stretch Trainer.
Session 2: Thursday, June 23. Equipment covered: Resist-A-Ball.

Starter Sessions will be held in the Lifestyle Fitness Centers at Roybal and Rhodes.
**Call 404-639-2164 to register.

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National COA Executive Director, CAPT Jerry FarrelL (USN, ret.), Speaks to Atlanta Membership

CAPT Jerry Farrell (USN, ret.) came to speak to the Atlanta-area officers on April 14, 2005, to give an update on National COA support activities. He made a presentation on one of the CDC campuses at 1200 to more than 50 officers, and he gave a repeat presentation to more than 35 officers at 1700 who were attending the EIS Conference in Dunwoody. The “Update from National COA” article below summarizes his remarks given on that day.

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Update from National COA

1. Transformation. After a pause in activities regarding Corps transformation during the transition from DHHS Secretary Thompson to Secretary Leavitt, momentum appears to be building again. COA has learned that in the past few weeks, Secretary Leavitt has convened at least two meetings with the leadership of the Commissioned Corps to discuss Corps transformation. Reportedly, these meetings have gone well with the Secretary demonstrating a significant appreciation of the Corps' role and the many issues surrounding transformation. The Secretary, we are told, asks the right questions. More meetings are planned. While the outcome of these meetings is unknown, the fact that the Secretary, facing numerous and pressing issues of national importance, is taking time to address the future of the Corps is a good sign.

COA has communicated its position on transformation to the Secretary's Chief of Staff, and have offered our services in providing another view of the issues from our members' perspective. We are also working to distribute talking points on transformation on Capitol Hill and among individuals known to be supportive of the Corps and close to Secretary Leavitt as another means of communicating our points.

2. 6th Precept. The 6th Promotion Precept is an effort to recognize the sacrifice of officers assigned to hardship, isolated, and hard-to-fill duty stations. COA is concerned that this is an issue that if not handled with exceptional care, caution and sensitivity to the many facets of the problem, could drive a wedge right through the middle of the Commissioned Corps. A recommendation to provide promotion points of these assignments surfaced from within OCCFM in February. Significant concern and dissension regarding the proposal were expressed by the CPO Board and almost all operating divisions except IHS.

COA has yet to take a formal position on this question, except to point out our concern that in our view "due diligence" has not yet been conducted on the long-term ramifications of such a promotion policy and that perhaps making the recommendation this past February was premature. In brief, COA's concerns are:

• A promotion system is supposed to measure and reward performance and evaluated potential for increased future contributions. Promotion systems are not generally designed to reward the nature of a geographic assignment. It's not where you work that matters; it's how well you work wherever you are.

• Any policy that is designed to advantage one group of officers over some other group will be correctly interpreted as designed to disadvantage that other group. This defeats the perceived fairness of the entire system.

• This whole question of rewarding isolated, hardship, and hard-to-fill assignments arose from the 2003 policy decision to reflect deployment readiness and deployments in the promotion system. COA expressed concerns with those flawed policies at the time. We are now concerned that the 6th Precept is an attempt to address a particular issue created by those policies - in effect, fixing one problem by creating another. Our recommendation, therefore, has been to overhaul the entire promotion system at once, instead of the piecemeal approach which has been followed over the last two years. We further caution, however, that such a comprehensive approach must wait until a billet-based force management system is in place so that the Corps has clearly defined requirements on which promotion policies must be based.

As a result of the concerns expressed by the CPOs, operating divisions, OSG and others including COA, the 6th Precept has been wisely sent back to the drawing board.

All of this does not mean that officers who accept assignments in isolated, hardship, or hard-to-fill duty stations should not be recognized and rewarded for their sacrifice. There are other more appropriate tools already available to do so. Additionally, legislation could be sought to accomplish this end.

3. National Defense Service Medal. Recently there has been some renewed interest with DHHS about awarding the National Defense Service Medal to PHS officers for service in the global war on terrorism. COA provided the office of the Assistant Secretary for Health with copies of correspondence on this issue from two years ago along with supporting documentation from Title 42 USC.

4. OCCO Staffing Levels. COA was informed two weeks ago that the hiring freeze imposed on OCCO last year has been lifted. Since the reorganization from DCP last year, OCCO has been at about 70% of authorized strength, resulting in a serious impediment to the conduct of business. We are hopeful that OCCO will move quickly to fill vacancies.

5. COA Staff Changes. Following Matt Sigafoose's resignation in February, Carrie Bright also announced her intention to leave COA. We have since hired a Director of Government Relations, Judy Rensberger, and a full time administrative assistant, Pamela Payne. Judy has considerable experience in legislative affairs, having worked a number of years for the American Dental Association. Judy also holds an MPH from Columbia University. We are still looking for a Development Director, who will work primarily for the Foundation.

6. COA Membership Growth. COA now boasts more than 7200 members. That's the largest membership the Association has ever had since we started keeping records about 50 years ago. Seventy-two percent of active duty officers are COA members. We'd like to see that number continue to grow!

7. Senator Frist Introduces Global Health Corps Act of 2005. Senator Frist introduced legislation in the Senate that would create a volunteer force of health professionals to work overseas. Described by some as a Peace Corps for health professionals, the intent of the legislation is to provide the human resources needed to carry out the President's plan to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases in developing and underdeveloped countries. The PHS Commissioned Corps is included in the legislation, which calls for the creation of a global emergency medical response cadre beginning with a minimum of 250 PHS Commissioned Officers. There are broad implications in this bill for the Commissioned Corps beyond emergency response. We are also informed that Senator Lieberman is working on similar legislation. And rumors continue to persist that movement is underway in the Department of Homeland Security to create their own emergency medical response component. COA is working to be engaged on all this bills.

Contributed By CDR Hugh Mainzer

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