Call for Nominations 2009 Scientist Officer of the Year Awards Deadline Date: 16 March 2009

Call for Nominations
2009 Scientist Officer of the Year Awards
Deadline Date: 16 March 2009

General Information:

The Scientist Professional Advisory Committee (SciPAC) established the Scientist of the Year Awards in 1995 to recognize officers of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) in the Scientist category whose professional career and work performance have resulted in significant contributions to the health of the Nation and to the mission of the Corps.

One award recognizes the career achievement of a senior-level officer, and one is to acknowledge the contributions of a junior-level officer. In the past, the Surgeon General, on behalf of the SciPAC, has presented the awards at the U.S. Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium. A committee composed of senior-level scientist officers generally makes the selection of the award recipients. Recipients of the awards receive a plaque signed by the Surgeon General and the Chief Scientist Officer, and a letter of special recognition from the SciPAC.

Because there is no means by which the SciPAC is able to directly notify supervisors of the availability of these awards, scientist officers are encouraged to ask their supervisors to consider nominating them for these awards. Self nominations are also permissible.

Derek Dunn Memorial (Senior) Scientist Officer of the Year Award
Active-duty scientist officers at the rank of O-5 or higher are eligible. No distinction will be made based on clinical/research/regulatory/and management tracks. Past recipients of the Junior Scientist Officer of the Year Award are eligible for this award.

Junior Scientist Officer of the Year Award
Active-duty scientist officers at the rank of O-4 or below are eligible. No distinction will be made based on clinical/research/regulatory/and management tracks.

Nomination Instructions for both the Derek Dunn Memorial (Senior Scientist Officer) and Junior Scientist Officer of the Year Awards:

The nomination package has three parts, each of which should be saved as a separate Microsoft Word file:

Nominator and candidate information (see below).
A double-spaced (no more than three double-spaced pages in length and 12 point font) award justification statement supporting the candidate’s nomination in accordance with the evaluation criteria outlined for the award.
The candidate’s current curriculum vitae in the Scientist category format.

No other information about the nominated officer should be submitted (e.g., Commissioned Officers’ Effectiveness Reports, performance appraisals, letters of recognition). By 16 March 2009, all three parts of the nomination package should be saved as separate Microsoft Word files and sent as e-mail attachments to CDR Martin Sanders (eyo0@cdc.gov). All three parts must be sent together on one e-mail.

For questions, please contact: CDR Martin Sanders (eyo0@cdc.gov Phone: 404-639-3147).

Nominator Information:

Candidate Information:

Derek Dunn Memorial (Senior) Scientist Officer of the Year Award

Eligibility
Active duty scientist officers at the rank of O-5 or higher are eligible. No distinction will be made based on clinical/research/regulatory/and management tracks. Past recipients of the Junior Scientist of the Year Award remain eligible.

Nomination Process
Nominations can be made by a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Operating Division, Staff Division, or non-HHS organization to which an officer is assigned, an officer's supervisor, by other officers, or by the officer (self nomination). All nominations must follow the nomination package instructions. The nomination package consists of three parts: nominator and candidate information; a justification statement which addresses the evaluation criteria outlined for the award; and the candidate’s current curriculum vitae in the Scientist category format.

Selection Process and Selection Committee
A committee of senior-level scientist officers appointed by the Chief Scientist Officer (CSO) makes the selection of recipients. The committee is composed of scientists who represent the various professional disciplines in the Scientist category.

Recognition of Award Recipient
An awards ceremony will be held during the Scientist category luncheon at the U.S. Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium. Recipients of the award will receive a "Derek Dunn Memorial Scientist Officer of the Year Award” plaque signed by the Surgeon General and the CSO, and a letter of special recognition from the SciPAC.

Evaluation Criteria
Applicants will be judged in the following areas:

Professional Achievement(s) (30 points)
The officer has attained significant achievements in a professional field, which in turn have advanced the mission of the Corps or have had a beneficial impact on the Nation’s health and health care services. Achievements and contributions may be judged on the basis of many factors, including publications, patents, designing and implementing public health programs, but more importantly a sustained commitment of time and/or outstanding skill in biomedical research as a Clinical Scientist Officer, an Environmental Health Scientist Officer, a Health Education Scientist Officer, a Research Scientist Officer, a Research Support Scientist Officer, a Regulatory Scientist Officer, or a Program Management Officer. The officer’s achievements, in his or her professional field, have been acknowledged by awards and letters of recognition from colleagues, supervisors, and professional organizations.

Career Growth, Development and Leadership Skills (40 points)
The officer has demonstrated professional growth and development as evidenced by engaging and contributing to more complex tasks and by assuming positions of increasing responsibility. Leadership positions held in any capacity are a demonstration of career growth and development and evidence that the officer is regarded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Operating Division (OPDIV), Staff Division (STAFFDIV), or non-HHS organization as a senior professional contributor to the field of expertise. The officer is perceived as a strong team builder as well as a team player in the officer’s OPDIV/STAFFDIV/non-HHS organization. The officer serves as an exemplary role model for junior officers and others by balancing commitments of time and energy to profession, the Corps, civic, and humanitarian activities. The officer has served as a leader in a variety of settings, including his or her primary assignment, field deployments, mentoring junior officers, etc.

Corps Involvement and Commitment (30 points)
The officer promotes and supports the mission and policies of the Corps by wearing the uniform with pride and distinction, sustained involvement in Corps professional advisory groups or committees, Office of Commissioned Corps Operations boards, and Corps-related activities. For example, the officer may be a senior member of a Tier deployment team for the Office of Force Readiness and Deployment or other deployable element, the Commissioned Corps Honor Guard, or the Commissioned Corps Music Ensemble. Membership and participation in Corps professional organizations such as the Commissioned Officers Association (COA), Reserve Officers Association, and Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S. demonstrates commitment and dedication to the Corps as well as a high level of Corps pride and honor. The officer continues to be a visible and active Scientist category officer even after fulfilling more traditional roles such as SciPAC membership and leadership, leadership in local COA chapters, etc.

Junior Scientist Officer of the Year Award

Eligibility
Active duty scientist officers at the rank of O-4 or below are eligible. No distinction will be made based on clinical/research/regulatory/and management tracks. Nomination Process
Nominations can be made by a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Operating Division/Staff Division or non-HHS organization to which an officer is assigned, an officer's supervisor, by other officers, or by the officer (self-nomination). All nominations must follow the nomination package instructions. The nomination package consists of three parts: nominator and candidate information; a justification statement which addresses the evaluation criteria outlined for the award; and the candidate’s current curriculum vitae in the Scientist category format.

Selection Process and Selection Committee
A committee of senior-level scientist officers appointed by the Chief Scientist Officer (CSO) makes selection of recipients. The committee is composed of scientists who represent the various professional disciplines of the Scientist category.

Recognition of Award Recipient
An awards ceremony will be held during the Scientist category luncheon at the U.S. Public Health Service Scientific and Training Symposium. Recipients of the Award will receive a "SciPAC Junior Scientist Officer of the Year" plaque signed by the Surgeon General and the CSO, and a letter of special recognition from the SciPAC.

Evaluation Criteria
Applicants will be judged in the following areas:

Professional Development (35 Points)
The officer demonstrates professional development by participating in continuing education and professional training to increase value to his/her HHS Operating Division/Staff Division/non-HHS organization work organization. Membership and/or offices held in professional organizations or participation in Corps task forces and workgroups demonstrate professional development. Work performance and professional achievements, such as serving as technical resource for others, presentations at professional meetings, or supervisory responsibilities, above that expected for a person’s rank are to be noted. The officer’s pride and dedication to the Corps are demonstrated by activities such as completion of the Officer Basic Course and application for assimilation. Above all, this category measures how the officer’s career development, position, and responsibilities compare to his/her peers.

Achievements (35 Points)
The officer’s job-related accomplishments or significant achievements in a professional field as evidenced by sustained or outstanding performance beyond that of the officer’s peers. Examples of achievements include skillful management of difficult, complex tasks or a heavy workload, or development or improvement of service programs. These achievements should exceed job requirements. Evidence for achievements may include awards or letters of recognition from supervisors, the Corps, or professional associations.

Corps Involvement and Commitment (30 points)
The officer promotes and supports the mission and policies of the Corps by wearing the uniform with pride and distinction, involvement in Corps professional advisory groups or committees, Office of Commissioned Corps Operations boards, and Corps-related activities. For example, the officer may be a member of a Tier deployment team for the Office of Force Readiness and Deployment or other deployable element, the Commissioned Corps Honor Guard, or the Commissioned Corps Music Ensemble. Membership and participation in Corps professional organizations such as the Commissioned Officers Association (COA), Reserve Officers Association, and Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S. demonstrates commitment and dedication to the Corps as well as a high level of Corps pride and honor. The officer continues to be a visible and active Scientist category officer even after fulfilling more traditional roles such as SciPAC membership and leadership, leadership in local COA chapters, recruitment activities, etc.

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