Mark Glasgow
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School: The State University of New York at Buffalo
- Major: Environmental Health, MPH
- Future Plans: To practice environmental epidemiology as a USPHS officer at federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
- Did this experience make you want to join the Commissioned Corps?: Yes, I look forward to continuing my career as a full-time, active duty Commissioned Corps Officer of the U.S. Public Health Service.
If your time in JRCOSTEP turns out to be anything like mine, you will have had an invaluable experience! The summer of 2010 marked the halfway point of my enrollment in the Master of Public Health program at SUNY Buffalo. During this time, I was privileged to be selected as a Junior Environmental Health Officer. I was stationed in Atlanta, Georgia at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a sister agency of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Specifically, I worked in ATSDR’s Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, Health Promotion and Community Involvement Branch (HPCIB). During my internship, I served as the project lead for the development of a premier series of computer-based, interactive, environmental health learning tools to come out of HPCIB. The intended audience was community members attending public meetings and environmental health fairs hosted by ATSDR.
Building relationships can certainly be just as important as the work performed, and the depth of collaboration that took place on the project allowed me to interact with the talents and expertise of many types of public health professionals – from Health Communication Specialists to Visual Information Specialists. Working on the project taught me the importance of scientists becoming better communicators – not to the scientific community, but rather to the general public which CDC serves. Coming from a scientific and technical background, I have learned ways to adjust communication for settings where it is assumed the audience has little or no scientific background or interest. There are distinguishing factors between knowing the science and sharing the science, and of course, sharing is key to informing and educating community members on environmental contaminants and how to reduce the risk of exposure. Although this was the main focus of my internship, CDR Smith-George, my JRCOSTEP preceptor, ensured that my experience was well-diversified with lots of stimulating, skill-building supplements.
One of the most special aspects of my JRCOSTEP experience was my deployment to CDC's Emergency Operations Center to work on the Environmental Data Review Team. During my days on the team, I was involved with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response. I reviewed and analyzed data collected by the Environmental Protection Agency. The data consisted of contaminant levels found in air, water, soil, and sediment from along the US Gulf Coast to allow anticipation of increased hazards to human health since the onset of the oil spill. I also collaborated on the development of a new protocol to optimize functions of data review which was to be incorporated into routine handling of incoming data.
Upon entering JRCOSTEP, I knew I was in for a great learning experience. However, I was somewhat unaware of its potential to solidify my career path in public health. Once on duty, I quickly realized my capacity as part of an elite team. I have participated in several internships, but my JRCOSTEP experience has, by far, been the most fulfilling and empowering. Furthermore, my past experiences do not match the level of support, guidance, and encouragement that I have witnessed and received within the U.S. Public Health Service. It is also worth noting the inspiring quality of officership I was exposed to among my superiors. I am honored to have been a part of a tradition of officers who serve in protecting the health of the nation.
At the end of my summer internship, I wrapped up my duties with a sense of pride and accomplishment. I am certainly looking forward to continuing my career as a full-time, active duty Commissioned Corps Officer of the U.S. Public Health Service.
ENS CJ El-Bakoush
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School: The University of Oklahoma
- Major: Master of Science: Industrial Hygiene/Environmental Health Sciences
- Future Plans: Based on my JRCOSTEP experience, my future plans include joining the USPHS Commissioned Corps as an Industrial Hygienist/ Environmental Health Officer
- Did this experience make you want to join the Commissioned Corps?: Yes
During my summer 2010 JRCOSTEP I built lasting relationships, provided outstanding public health service, and discovered the career path I intend on following. Like much of the general population, I didn’t have a clear understanding of the role the U.S. Public Health Service plays, and how it’s integrated into various Federal agencies. However, by the time my JRCOSTEP concluded I was well aware of the importance of the Indian Health Service agency and the vital responsibilities of Commissioned Corps officers throughout the Nation.
I conducted my JRCOSTEP as an Industrial Hygienist/Environmental Health Officer at the Oklahoma City Area Office, and worked under the direction of an outstanding preceptor, CAPT Richard Turner. During my time I was given the opportunity to provide public health services in a variety of settings, with the majority being Native American health care facilities. X-ray surveys, nitrous oxide monitoring, implementation of infection control practices, policy and procedure review/authorship, and statistical analysis were just a few of the various tasks I participated in during my JRCOSTEP. In addition to daily work duties, I was also given the unique opportunity to participate in an event which epitomized what it is to be a Commissioned Corps officer. This opportunity consisted of working side by side with officers from all over the Nation on a deployment training exercise in which we provided support for a Remote Area Medical event. This event was a free medical, vision, and dental clinic that provided care to more than 1,700 patients, with services totaling over a quarter of a million dollars in health care.
During my time with the USPHS I realized that not only were daily work duties diverse, but the added spontaneity of deployment opportunities created a fluid work dynamic unmatched by the private sector. These were just a few of the many unique characteristics afforded by the Commissioned Corps that, I believe, would be difficult to find in other work environments.
Based on my experience, I would highly recommend all students interested in public health to consider the USPHS when seeking internship opportunities. During my summer I had the chance to interact with many Commissioned Corps officers and all reiterated the same sentiment, which was they couldn’t imagine not being part of the USPHS. After my JRCOSTEP I couldn’t imagine pursuing a career in anything other than the USPHS.
ENS Jessica Buttler
- School: Bowling Green State University/Miami University
- Degree: BS Biology and BS Environmental Health/MS Environmental Science
- Future plans: I plan to graduate with a Master’s in Environmental Science from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio within the next two years and then move on to a career related to my interests in the sciences.
- Did this experience make you want to join the Commissioned Corps: My JRCOSTEP experience was outstanding and joining the Commissioned Corps is a goal I am very interested in purusing following my graduate studies.
The U.S. Public Health Service and Indian Health Service (IHS), Oklahoma Area provided
an outstanding internship opportunity for summer 2010. I am a recent Bowling Green
State University (BGSU) graduate having earned a BS in Biology and BS in Environmental
Health and will be pursuing an MS Environmental Science degree starting fall 2010
at Miami University. I first heard about the JRCOSTEP program from a BGSU alum,
Danielle Mills, who is currently a Commissioned Corps officer working with the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
ENS Jessica Buttler and Farrel Smith
Danielle's recruitment speech peaked my interest, and prompted me to find out more
at the program website. The possibility of traveling for an internship got me very
excited about applying for this opportunity. I was pleasantly surprised a few months
after submitting my application, when Environmental Health Officer Farrel Smith
called me expressing his interest in my resume and a possible placement at the Office
of Environmental Health (OEH) Shawnee Field Office in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
After a 1,000 mile trip from Ohio to Oklahoma, Mr. Farrel Smith and I began the
summer with extensive orientation sessions. We discussed the general internal workings
of government agencies as well as IHS-specific protocol and processes. It was during
this time, that I began to grasp the purpose and importance of IHS, understanding
that our goal is to provide non-regulatory, technical assistance to the tribes we
serve. The tribes served by the Shawnee Service Unit include the Kickapoo Tribe,
Sac and Fox Tribe, Iowa Tribe, and the Citizen Potawatomi Tribe. Together, Farrel
and I put together a detailed work plan encompassing the entire two month internship
duration.
Dental office survey
Farrel wanted me to experience as many different Environmental Health surveys as
we could fit in the small time frame. He wanted me to have the opportunity to use
my foundation knowledge gained in coursework and apply it to practical surveying
exercises. Survey types completed this summer included, Food Service, Pools, Casinos,
Liquid Waste Disposal Systems, Pow Wow Grounds, Juvenile Detention Facility, and
Institutional Environmental Health Surveys. When performing the various surveys,
we referenced the state or federal documents stating the codes and regulations that
must be followed by state-run facilities. We use these documents in OEH IHS as technical
guidelines. For instance, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 2005 Food Code
was used for all of our Food Service Surveys to identify violations and provide
recommendations to eliminate problems.
Food service survey
Each survey differed from others based on the service provided and the public health
risks associated with the facility, but the surveying protocol remained the same
for all surveys. Every survey begins by meeting with the manager or person in charge
and going through an introductory interview. The interview is used to test the knowledge
of the manager relating to many administrative responsibilities as well as key components
of state and federal codes and regulations. Following the interview, we move into
the walk-through portion going through the facility with the manager or person in
charge identifying and providing recommendations for violations and expressing praise
for areas that are in compliance. After the walk-through, we sit down with the manager
or person in charge, and go through the violations noted and recommendations provided.
During this time we mention that there will be a written report sent to the facility
stating all violations and recommendations discussed during the survey. Following
the completion of the survey, we return to the office and use the Web Based Environmental
Health Reporting System (WebEHRS) to create the written report.
In addition to the many surveys we completed this summer, Farrel and I had the opportunity
to attend a large training program and conference in Oklahoma City as well as provide
food handler training to the tribes. The training we attended covered topics related
to retail special food processes such as reduced oxygen packaging, smoking and curing,
live molluscan shellfish tanks, sprouted seeds, and the use of food additives. The
Inter-Tribal Environmental Council (ITEC) conference was an event hosting speakers
from various tribal and U.S. government agencies. We had the opportunity to sit
in on several interesting presentations covering topics such as storm water management,
stream gauging, superfund and Brownfield sites, Cherokee Nation culturally protected
species management and heirloom seed bank, pesticide management and several other
breakouts sessions. Both the training and conference provided exceptional presentations
covering very interesting and up-to-date environmental and public health topics;
they were well worth the time. We also provided food handler training to tribal
food service facilities upon their request. We covered topics covered in the FDA
2005 Food Code pertaining to safe preparation and handling of food products to reduce
the risk of a food borne illness or food poisoning outbreak.
Golden Eagle at the Iowa Tribe eagle rehabilitation center (Perkins, OK)
Work was not the only interesting aspect of my summer JRCOSTEP. My internship opportunity
in Oklahoma provided me a first-time adventure several states from home while living
on my own. I have grown as an individual, and have become a better person as a result
of this experience. I did not know anyone when I arrived in Oklahoma City, and spent
the first few weekends exploring the area sites alone, something I would have never
dreamed of doing before this opportunity. This independent summer gave me the opportunity
to find enjoyment in doing things on my own. After a couple of weeks, I made friends
with other interns and commissioned corps officers working in the state. I was able
to enjoy the many museums, night life in Bricktown, floating the Illinois River,
southern cuisine and hospitality, fishing and swimming, the beautiful parks scattered
across the state and so much more. I also appreciate the exposure I received to
the Native American culture. I am so thankful to all the individuals this summer,
IHS employees as well as tribal workers, for sharing their stories and information
on their tribal traditions with me.
I would recommend this program to any student looking for an absolutely outstanding
and worthwhile internship opportunity. I do not have any complaints or regrets about
my summer with IHS. The practical experience I gained as a supplement to my degrees
is invaluable and I had the greatest pleasure and honor of working with some incredibly
intelligent and caring people. I will never forget my JRCOSTEP summer experience,
and I thank the Public Health Service and Indian Health Service for providing me
with this amazing opportunity.
James Allen Goggins
Western Carolina University
I participated in the U.S. Public Health Service’s JRCOSTEP program during
the summer of 2009, where I was stationed with the Environmental Health Services
Branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Through my time as a JRCOSTEP with the Environmental Health Services Branch of the
CDC, I experienced environmental health practices in a wide variety of fields. We
worked with environmental health professionals at the county, State, and Federal
levels. We coordinated field experiences with the USDA, National Parks Service,
and Vessel Sanitation Program to see how the programs function in environmental
health. I was also able to see how environmental health functions at the Federal
level with my day-to-day work at the CDC.
I think the highlight of my experience as a JRCOSTEP has been the people I have
worked with. I cannot stress enough how much I have learned from my colleagues and
mentors. Everyone I have worked with has been warm and inviting and has taken time
to share with me their experiences and lessons from the field. I have had the opportunity
to work with professionals in a variety of fields, each boasting a unique set of
skills and experiences I had the opportunity to learn from. I have been able to
learn about their career paths and how they achieved their success. I have had invaluable
networking opportunities and have made lasting relationships with professionals
in environmental health.
My JRCOSTEP experience has provided me with a great foundation for my career in
environmental health. I have been able to experience environmental health practice
in a variety of areas. From cruise inspections with Vessel Sanitation Program to
county-level restaurant inspections with local environmental health professionals,
my time as a JRCOSTEP has provided me with a wealth of experience and personal connections
I will use throughout my career, as well as a new career avenue as a Public Health
Officer with the Commissioned Corps. I can’t think of any other program where
a student will have the opportunity to do as much in environmental health while
being mentored by experienced public health professionals. More importantly, the
JRCOSTEP program helps young professionals find their niche in environmental health.
I could go on and on about my experience as a JRCOSTEP, but my best advice would
be to try it for yourself and make your own lasting memories.
Ensign Michaela Hall
Ensign Michaela Hall, a student in Western Carolina University's Environmental Health
program, participated this summer in the United States Public Health Service Junior
Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP), where she was
assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard in San Pedro, CA. While on assignment, ENS Hall
focused on environmental health, safety, and industrial hygiene. Her adventures
included: inspecting foreign containers, completing an indoor air quality
assessment for a building where an individual was diagnosed with occupational asthma,
and visiting Air Station Los Angeles to complete respirator fit testing. In addition,
she delivered annual training and assisted with inspection. ENS Hall says, "My
summer as a JRCOSTEP was a hands-on educational experience I will never forget!"
ENS Marnin Alan Forman
Texas A & M University
My duty as a JRCOSTEP was at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda,
MD. I worked in the Veterinary Resources Program (VRP), which is a component of
the National Center for Research Resources. VRP is one of the largest biomedical
research animal care and use programs within the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. At VRP, a majority of my work was with the microbiology diagnostic laboratory.
Dr. Theresa Lawrence served as the director of the laboratory and my JRCOSTEP preceptor.
My work in the lab involved performing microbiological procedures for diagnostic,
health surveillance, and environmental submissions. The diagnostic submissions were
received from a wide variety of animals from the NIH campus. The procedures included
processing biological specimens, performing biochemical characterizations, and testing
for antimicrobial susceptibility. I also was responsible for documenting results,
which are then conveyed to the presenting veterinarian.
Dr. Lawrence encouraged me to make the best use of my time by taking advantage of
the numerous opportunities available to me at NIH. I observed and assisted with
necropsies performed in the VRP pathology department. I attended weekly pathology
slide conferences issued by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. I also attended
training seminars on biohazard handling and laboratory animal handling and manipulations.
Through the JRCOSTEP program, I was able to assist in the publication of a biweekly
newsletter, as well as tour a number of facilities associated with the Public Health
Service.
Nicole Beblo
Fourth-year student at Duquesne University
For my JRCOSTEP assignment, I traveled 1,900 miles to dry, sunny El Paso, TX. I
worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the Federal Corrections Institution
La Tuna in Anthony, TX-NM. Anthony is a small town that lies half in Texas and half
in New Mexico. It is about 10 miles west of El Paso.
At La Tuna, I worked in the pharmacy under the direction of Sheila Veikune. The
pharmacy is in the hospital portion of the prison and it is similar to a caged room.
Only the tech and Sheila had keys to the pharmacy.
I worked on several projects: One was on diabetes, in which I interviewed inmates
(not alone, of course!) about their understanding of their disease states, and then
I presented my findings to the medical staff. I also completed a project on Lassa
Fever and presented that to the medical staff. I did several self-study projects,
including one on tuberculosis and one on drugs of choice for infections.
During my time there, I also helped fill prescriptions. While I was there, they
received a new computer system that was Windows based, so I got to learn how wonderful
it is to fill scripts on that system! I also greatly improved my patient-counseling
skills. Sheila feels that all the inmates should be counseled whether or not their
prescription is a refill. Also, since many of the inmates are Spanish speaking,
I counseled in Spanish, as well as in English.
Overall, I had a wonderful experience. With the help of my Mom and a wonderful church
congregation in El Paso, I was able to stay with a family. The family lived in an
upscale neighborhood and had a pool, maid, and gardener! The only payment they would
accept was for me to house sit and watch their three dogs when they went away. They
were wonderful people.
I also met many great contacts and great friends as well. The facility also had
two dental PHS COSTEPS that I grew quite close to. We even took a long weekend and
drove 9 hours to San Antonio! We also went to Juarez, Mexico the sister Mexican
town to El Paso.
The thing I miss most about El Paso by far is the great Mexican food. After living
in Pennsylvania all my life, I've now realized that Taco Bell and Chi Chi's don't
hold a candle to real Mexican food! What would I do for a flauta right now Anyway,
I had a wonderful summer one that I'll never forget!
ENS Todd Marcy
University of Oklahoma
My experience with the Indian Health Service (IHS) has been outstanding. I have
learned how much more the pharmacist is informed and involved in the care of the
patients we serve. As we are preparing prescriptions for our patients, we have their
charts so that we can understand completely both the current problems and the history
of the patients. We know the details of an acute problem and the progression of
a chronic one. This changes our entire perspective relative to that of other pharmacy
practices. We are able to make informed recommendations to the physicians about
drug selection and dosing. We can also order labs, such as liver function tests,
to properly monitor the patient and make recommendations as to the appropriateness
of continuation of the chronic therapy.
There is a comprehensive protocol and standing orders system here as well. It allows
pharmacists to prescribe medications for patients with specific disease states such
as allergic rhinitis, strep throat, and many others. The pharmacists routinely check
blood pressure, and every patient is counseled on every medication new or refill
by a pharmacist or pharmacy student. The pharmacy is much more clinical and there
is a significant amount of patient contact here.
Another wonderful thing about being here in Warm Springs is the opportunity to learn
about the rich culture of the native people. They are very open and eager to share
that culture. They encourage anyone who is interested to take part in their pow
wow and other activities. Since moving into the American Indian community, I have
felt welcomed by nearly everyone I have met. I have had the opportunity to attend
church services here as well. They sing some of the traditional Christian songs
that I grew up with in a native tongue, which is special to hear.
I have also had the opportunity to meet several IHS pharmacists. One thing I've
noticed about them is that they are satisfied with their jobs. After working here,
I understand why.