• Officer Relations Program

  Supporting Officers Through Advocacy, Care, and Wellness

  Program Overview

  
  

  Mission and Purpose

  The Officer Relations Program exists to strengthen the officer experience by providing structured support, responsive engagement, and integrated programs that address workplace concerns, officer care, and long-term wellness.

  U.S. Public Health Service Mission

  To protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the Nation.

  Key Functions

  • Centralized service information
  • Clear section roles and responsibilities
  • Improved visibility of officer support resources
  • Stronger coordination across branch services

  Officer Support / Employee Relations

  Supports officers across the full career lifecycle and enhances engagement through policy guidance and advocacy.

  Core Functions

  • Case intake and issue triage
  • Workforce concern resolution support
  • Advisory support for leadership and supervisors
  • Policy guidance and implementation
  • Officer navigation through policy proceedings

  Programs & Processes

  • Anti-Harassment Investigation Program Process
  • AWOL Procedures Process
  • Board for Correction Process
  • COER Appeal Process
  • Complaints and Redress Process
  • EO Complaints Process
  • LOC Process
  • LOR Process
  • Return to Service Process
  • Disciplinary Action Process

  Training & Development

  • Case Management Training
  • EQ Management Training
  • Policy and Procedure Training
  • MSW to LCSW Licensure Program

  Corps Care

  Intervention Services

  • Crisis Intervention
  • Mandate Reporting
  • Safety & Wellness Checks
  • Disaster Impact Checks
  • Post-Deployment Assessments
  • Safe Harbor Program
  • Death Response
  • Deployment Deferrals
  • Force Health Protection

  Prevention Programs

  • Officer Basic Course (OBC) Training
  • Officer Intermediate Course (OIC) Training
  • Deployment Preparation Plan (DPP) Training
  • Pre-deployment Briefings
  • Data Tracking
  • Case Management Training Workgroup

  Officer Wellness

  Programs

  • Wellness Champions Program
  • PHS Mission FIT Program
  • General Wellness Survey Program
  • Challenge Coin and Merchandise Program
  • FRC Program

  Leadership

  • CDR Jerome Anderson - Program Chief
  • CDR Marriah Lombardo - Prevention Program Manager
  • LCDR Janelle Phillip - Intervention Program Manager
  • LT Nickolas Davis - Officer Relations Program Manager

  Contact & Officer Relations Resource Mailboxes

  • Corps Care Direct Line: (240) 276-9616
  • PHSCorpsCare@hhs.gov - Corps Care (Responder resiliency; officer guidance, support, & resources pertaining to physical, behavioral, & spiritual needs).
  • PHSOfficerRelations@hhs.gov - Officer Support & Employee Relations (Guidance and support regarding assignments, career development, policy clarification, conflict resolution, administrative concerns, and connection to appropriate Corps-level resources to ensure professional readiness and well-being).
  • PHSOfficerWellness@hhs.gov - The Officer Wellness Services are designed to promote and enhance officers' overall well-being throughout their careers. These services include a variety of programs aimed at fostering physical, mental, and emotional health.

  Officer Wellness Team - Wellness Support Resources

  The Officer Wellness Team, within the Officer Relations Program, remains committed to supporting the health and well-being of U.S. Public Health Service^® officers.

  Prioritizing health—both physical and mental—has never been more important. A wide range of federal resources and tools are available to help officers maintain and improve overall wellness. Actions such as developing healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and effectively managing stress should be incorporated into regular routines.

  USPHS^® officers may utilize services available at Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), including access to Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and Exercise Physiologists for individualized guidance and support. Officers should consult their local MTF to determine whether a referral is required.

  The Officer Wellness Team encourages all officers to take full advantage of available federal resources to support their overall wellness and readiness. Officers are strongly encouraged to work with their healthcare providers to develop a personalized health and wellness plan that meets their individual needs. This plan may include support in areas such as nutrition, physical therapy, and behavioral or mental health.

  Overall Health

  • Army Public Health Center – reviews activity, nutrition, sleep, and weight loss strategies to improve overall performance
  • CHAMP Human Performance Resources – includes resources for nutrition, fitness, mental health
  • Federal Occupational Health (FOH) – various Wellness and Health Promotion Services
  • Tricare – Making Healthy Changes for Life telehealth classes
  • HHS: MyHealthfinder – prevention and wellness resources recommended by health professionals for individuals and their families

  Nutrition

  • HHS: Dietary Guidelines for Americans – resources to help promote healthy eating across the lifespan
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH) – published resources on various topics from nutrition, healthy weight, to sleep
  • Nutrition.gov – various information from nutrition, to eating healthy, and physical activity
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture – Food & Nutrition Services - learn how to eat following the MyPlate, budget-friendly and healthy food ideas, and view recipes
    • MyPlate app – download to track food goals, view progress, and make changes

  Physical Activity

  • Federal Occupational Health (FOH) – complimentary virtual group fitness classes (see CCHQ email announcements to sign-up!)
  • HHS Move Your Way – includes handouts with tips for getting started, overcoming barriers to physical activity, short videos, and a physical activity tracker to plan and set weekly activity goals
  • Health.mil – various resources to support physical fitness
  • USDA Physical Activity – links to various programs, tip sheets, and providing ideas for indoor/outdoor activity to include family members

  Mental/Behavioral Health

  • Employee Assistance Program – provides counseling support and coaching services 24/7
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH): Mental Health – lists various federal resources and organizations providing support

  Sleep Hygiene

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – sleep basics, tips for improving sleep, and when to seek additional support
  • HHS: Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion – guidance for sleep basics and making small changes
  • NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute – sleep science and healthy sleep education

  Stress Management

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – resources for coping with stress, grief/loss
  • HHS: Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion – guidance for taking steps in dealing with stress positively
  • NIH: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – additional information and healthful management ideas, including mindfulness and meditation  
  • NIH: National Institute of Mental Health – identifying symptoms and obtaining support
  • SAMHSA: Disaster Responder Stress Management – self-awareness, individualized approaches, and stress management techniques

  USPHS^® Resources

  • USPHS^® Corps Care Team – receive support with spiritual, behavioral, mental health needs. Site includes wealth of various links to resources
  • PHS Wellness Champions Program - The PHS Wellness Champions Program is designed to promote strategies that enhance resilience amongst PHS Officers by improving their mental and physical health and overall well-being. The primary goal of this program is to foster a proactive approach to officers' emotional, physical, and nutritional well-being. We believe that addressing these vital aspects significantly contributes to our officers' overall readiness. Wellness Champions will contribute creative ideas for monthly challenges, newsletters, presentations, webinars, and training as a starting point.

  Additional Resources for Officers:

  • Wellness Manual (Coming Soon!)
  • Weight Management Resources

   

  Last Updated: 4/9/2026
• USER ASSISTANCE

  Please check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) . FAQs are located at the top of the page next to the search function.

  Having Access Issues or Need IT Help? Please contact the Commissioned Corps Helpdesk at: CCHelpDesk@hhs.gov

  COMMISSIONED CORPS NEWS

  Officer Spotlight September 2025

  Officer Spotlight

  Practice Hours Opportunities

  Practice Hours Opportunities

  2023 Temporary Grade Promotions

  CC News Announcement 2023 Temporary Grade Promotions

  Changes in Tattoo Policy in CCI 412.01, Uniforms and Appearance

  Changes in Tattoo Policy in CCI 412.01, Uniforms and Appearance

  Surgeon General Priorities

  Surgeon General Priorities

  January 2021: United States Public Health Commissioned Corps Doctrine

  The link above will take you to the Noncompetitive Promotion Roster for Promotion Year 2020.

  FAQs Practice Hours and Special Pay Changes

  This is first in a series of FAQs, more FAQs will be forthcoming on Practice Hours and Special Pays.

  Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Mission - Deployments Readiness Updates

  As we position ourselves to assist with controlling the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), please note that we’re in an “all-hands on deck” status. Messaging has gone out from the Assistant Secretary for Health reminding Commissioned Corps officers of their deployment responsibilities...

Protecting, Promoting and Advancing the Health and Safety of Our Nation. Commissioned Corps Headquarters
1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 300
Rockville, MD. 20852
240-453-6000

• 1. 
     COMMISSIONED CORPS

  2. Home
  3. Contact Us
  4. About Us
  5. Site Map

• 1. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
     HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

  2. HHS Home
  3. Office of Assistant Secretary for Health
  4. Office of the Surgeon General
  5. USPHS.gov

• 1. 
     U.S. GOVERNMENT

  2. The White House
  3. USA.gov
  4. USAJOBS.gov
  5. DATA.gov

• 1. 
     ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  2. Plain Writing Act
  3. Accessibility
  4. Privacy Notice
  5. Freedom of Information Act
  6. Disclaimers
  7. Vulnerability Disclosure Policy