Welcome

Welcome to and thank you for visiting the official website for the Black Commissioned Officers Advisory Group (BCOAG).  Whether you are here to learn more about this advisory group, get involved, or need to contact BCOAG leadership, please take the time to explore our various pages and links!

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Our Mission

The Black Commissioned Officers Advisory Group (BCOAG) provides advice and consultation to the Surgeon General (SG) on issues of interest and concerns of Black officers in the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) and on issues relating to the professional practice and personnel activities of civil service (CS) and other Commissioned Corps (CC) personnel.  BCOAG supports the Office of the Surgeon General’s initiatives and establishes and supports programs to serve minority and local communities to assist in reducing health disparities. 

Message from the Chair

Welcome to the 2024 BCOAG Operational Year!

With excitement and dedication, BCOAG stands ready to serve with you. Together, we have faced tremendous challenges, but true to form, we have persevered. We have met the COVID-19 pandemic head-on, pushed through deployment missions and policy changes that have altered the fabric of USPHS, and endured bouts of compassion fatigue. Moreover, we have strategized together to find solutions to our concerns and influenced others to do the same. Well, this year will be no different, and I am eager to stay the course of our proud legacy of BCOAG standing in the gap with our officers, ensuring that our voices continue to be heard and our presence is consistently recognized. 

I encourage you to partner with other BCOAG officers in a concerted effort to keep the mission, programs, and advocacy RED-HOTin 2024. Please join our General Body Meetings (starting today!) and get involved within our various committees. We welcome all new and experienced officers. Whether you want to re-ignite your passion, try something new, or seek comfort and support, BCOAG is the place for you!

Please join our monthly General Body Meetings held on the second Thursday of each month from 1100-1230 EST, where you can voice your questions and concerns, hear about what our outstanding committees are doing, and learn how to get active based on your personal and professional goals.

Building on what our BCOAG predecessors developed, I invite you to share my excitement to serve, fellowship, and grow. Those standing by and ready to serve with you are our Senior Advisor, CAPT Terry Harrison, whose consistency and “why not me” mentality is always right on time, a distinguished and prolific Chair-elect, CDR Rhonita Culver, an esteemed 12-member Captain’s Council, a competent Executive Committee, and a ‘ready-to-serve’ group of Committee Chairs whose enthusiasm for accomplishing the goals of BCOAG is infectious and contagious. Join us for a great time!

If you ever need to reach me directly to discuss any questions, concerns, or ideas, please do so at Jerome.anderson@hhs.gov.

Your Chair, Dr. Jerome Anderson, DSW, LCSW, BCD, CCFC, CCHP, CMCC LCDR, United States Public Health Service Chair, Black Commissioned Officers Advisory Group (BCOAG) BCOAG Email and Website  Follow us: #BCOAG