Deadline Date: 7 May 2008
Call for Nominations for BCOAG’s 2008 Annual George I. Lythcott Award
The Black Commissioned Officers Advisory Group (BCOAG) established the George I. Lythcott Award in May 1996 in memory of RADM George I. Lythcott, M.D. (1918-1995). RADM Lythcott was the first African American officer of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) appointed to head a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agency, the Health Services Administration. Throughout his career, he championed career ladder opportunities for junior grade employees and significantly expanded initiatives to assist the Nation’s medically underserved.
This award is designed to recognize an individual who demonstrates a genuine sense of public service and leadership initiative, and whose contributions enhance the health status of medically underserved populations. Any Corps officer (Grade O-2, O-3, or O-4) with a minimum of 5 years of service in the Corps is eligible.
Nominations are encouraged from all Operating Divisions (OPDIVs), Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs), and non-HHS organizations to which officers are assigned, and the nominations must describe how the candidate has met the following criteria:
- Contributions to OPDIV/STAFFDIV/non-HHS organization objectives have reflected sustained high performance;
- Work performance or a single important achievement has been characterized by outstanding leadership initiative and/or the application of unique skills and creativity;
- Overall work performance or a single activity has clearly contributed to the mission of the Corps;
- Participation in activities within or outside HHS that had a positive impact on improving the health status of the Nation’s medically underserved populations; and
- Performance has continuously demonstrated a genuine sense of public service and
professional integrity.
BCOAG established the Hildrus A. Poindexter Award in 1990 in memory of the late CAPT Hildrus A. Poindexter, M.D., Ph.D., M.S.P.H., Sc.D. (1901-1987). CAPT Poindexter was an exemplary Corps officer, humanitarian, clinician, educator, and world renowned scientist. His commitment and service record in support of the medically underserved throughout the world significantly enhanced the positive image of the Corps. He was an excellent role model for all involved in service to the world’s disenfranchised.
This award was established to recognize a commissioned officer or civil servant (with a minimum of 7 years service within PHS) for continued outstanding service that enhanced the health of minority or underserved populations.
Each nominator must describe how the candidate has met four of the following criteria:
- Demonstrated significant contributions toward improving the health status of African Americans and other minorities in the United States;
- Continually demonstrates exceptional dedication to the mission of the PHS / Corps;
- Demonstrated outstanding leadership (academically, administratively, programmatically, and/or internationally);
- Demonstrated excellence in his/her professional field; and
- Demonstrated significant professional and humanitarian contributions to raising
the living standards of the disenfranchised in communities within the United States
and abroad.
Call for Nominations for BCOAG’s 2008 Annual Retired Officers Recognition Award
The BCOAG Retired Officers Recognition Award was established in 1998. This award is designed to recognize retired African American Corps officers who served with distinction for a decade or more and fostered the mission of the Corps.
Two individuals are recognized each year by their peers. The nomination must include documented evidence of outstanding service as a Corps officer, and significant contributions to community and/or public health that served to enhance the quality of life for the disenfranchised in the United States and/or abroad. Priority is given to those nominees who have continued to make significant public health contributions during their retirement from the Corps.
A blank nomination form is available on the BCOAG Web site — www.bcoag.org
Deadline Date and Address to Send Nominations
To be considered, nominations for any of the above awards must be received at the following address by the close of business on 7 May 2008:
LCDR Brandon Wood, USPHS
HRSA/BPHC/DHCM
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 17-61
Rockville, MD 20857-0001
Presentation of Awards