Women's Initiatives Subcommittee (WIS) Membership

• Chair - CDR Tara Van Orden - Tvanorden@rsicclinic.org 
• Co-Chair - LCDR Rachel Rachuba - Rachel.A.Rachuba@uscg.mil 
• CAPT Renée Joskow - Joskowrw@nidcr.nih.gov 
• CAPT Katrina Leslie-Puhuyaoma - Katrina.Leslie-Puhuyaoma@ihs.gov 
• CAPT Flauryse Baguidy - Flauryse.Baguidy@ihs.gov 
• CAPT Carol Wong - Carol.J.Wong@uscg.mil
• CDR Titania Brownlee - Titania.Brownlee@uscg.mil 
• CDR Melissa Parra - Melissa.A.Parra@ice.dhs.gov 
• CDR Lisa Begay - Lisa.Begay2@ihs.gov 
• LCDR Rebecca Gabriel - Rebecca.Gabriel@meskaki-nsn.gov 
• LCDR Kindel Kaelke - Kindel.J.Kaelke@uscg.mil 

The Women’s Initiatives Subcommittee (WIS) developed multiple resources to assist dental officers to attain recognition for their contributions and achievements, involvement in professional organizations, and managing stress through exercise.  WIS encourages all officers to maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.

WIS Support Resources

1. WIS Awards Initiative 

The Women’s Initiatives Subcommittee (WIS) has developed an awards initiative to assist dental officers to attain recognition for their contributions and achievement. The links below are provided to be used as a guide.

https://dcp.psc.gov/OSG/dentist/documents/AwardChecklist2018p.doc
https://dcp.psc.gov/OSG/dentist/documents/AwardsTemplate2018p.doc
https://dcp.psc.gov/CCMIS/COAP/COAP_nominations_m.aspx
https://dcp.psc.gov/CCMIS/COAP/COAP_hints_m.aspx
https://dcp.psc.gov/CCMIS/COAP/COAP_frequently_asked_questions_m.aspx

2. Promotion

3. WIS Dental Public Health & Affiliations

The Women’s Initiatives Subcommittee (WIS) is committed to assisting dental officers in career development and educational achievement. As part of this initiative, the following web links are provided for access to information about dental public health residency education, training, experience, and certification.

Dental Public Health Residencies/Board Certification

• American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH)
• American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD)
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) - Dental Public Health Residency
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dental Public Health Residency

4.  WIS Mind and BODY Wellness Initiative

The The Women’s Initiatives Subcommittee is promoting officers in their mind and body wellness to affirm Healthy People 2020. A healthy mind is a prerequisite to a person’s overall well-being, which in turn creates healthy families as well as increased productivities at work. One of the ways to obtain positive mental health is to reduce and prevent daily stress along with learning healthier ways to manage stress.

The following web links are provided to aid in stress management:

• Quick Stress Relief: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/quick_stress_relief.htm
• Stress Management Learning Center: http://www.healthline.com/health/stress
• Stress Tracker: http://www.abovestress.com/apps.html
• Tools for Well-Being: http://www.heartmath.org/free-services/tools-for-well-being/tools-for-well-being-home.html

Organize a PHS Athletics Event or Participate in a Virtual Run!

WIS encourages all dentists, friends, & family to join Public Health Service (PHS) Athletics on their mission to protect, promote, and advance the health of American people through fitness by being an Event Leader or a participant.  Learn more about PHS Athletics, the Surgeon General’s Fitness Team and the Event Calendar on the PHS Athletics website:  https://dcp.psc.gov/osg/phsa/.

Upcoming PHS Athletics Events

None. 

5. Volunteer Activities

Click Here for 2019 Baltimore RAM Event Notes

6. WIS Junior Officer Mentoring

The Women's Initiatives Subcommittee (WIS) is committed to providing mentoring to junior dental officers from all agencies. Our WIS Subcommittee consists of women officers from HRSA, IHS, and BOP. Dental officers from all agencies, including those not represented by the agencies of our committee members are welcome to participate in the WIS Junior Officer Mentoring Initiative.  Please contact CDR Melissa Parra Melissa.A.Parra@ice.dhs.gov you are interested.

7. Increase awareness of USPHS to the members and student chapters of the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD)

A brochure on the pros and cons of women dentists in private and public health practices as well as featured Dental Officers from different agencies was created by CDR Ortega and LCDR Hain to answer questions proposed by members of the AAWD in 2019. A new brochure is currently being updated.

8. Unofficial Resource Guides

The Commissioned Corps Women's Issues Advisory Board (CCWIAB)'s mission is to identify and analyze key issues that impact women in the Commissioned Corps and to develop action plans to address these issues. CCWIAB has published resource guides which has helpful information on marriage, divorce, dependent survivors, and expectant parents. See link below:

https://dcp.psc.gov/OSG/ccwiab/

9. Other Resource Guides

Medical Waiver Program

https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/Medical%20Affairs/MA_medical_waiver_program.aspx

TRICARE Coverage of Breast Pumps, Breast Pump Supplies, and Breastfeeding Counseling

https://www.cannon.af.mil/portals/85/documents/breast%20pump%20qas_20150624.pdf

Protecting, Promoting, and Advancing the Health and Safety of Our Nation.