Let's Move!

Greetings HOSA!
We are honored and ecstatic to be here in Washington D.C., from July  7th-11th this year! We are a group of five whom consist of Ronda Esper from Texas, Alyssa Falise from Florida, Madhi  Al Husseini from Georgia, Christina Noack from California, and Rita Griffith from Virginia as our fearless advisor!

Today, 7/7/2014, we began our experience at the US Surgeon General's Office in Rockville, Maryland. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by ENS Sophia Yang  and CAPT Paul Reed. They brought us to our training room and gave us a brief overview of the US Public Health Service.  Then, we had the long awaited chance to meet our Acting Surgeon General, RADM Boris Lushniak. He spoke with us about his key initiatives, including the importance of tobacco cessation. Fifty years ago, Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry released the first report linking smoking to poor health. Fifty years later this year, the US Surgeon General's office celebrates the dramatic decrease in smoking prevalence.

The Internship with the Surgeon General!

In 1964, approximately 50% of the American population used tobacco regularly; today the prevalence of smoking has decreased to 18%.  Although many strides have been made towards the journey for our country to be tobacco free. Over the past 50 years, we have gone from being able to purchase cigarettes from vending machines, to smoking openly in public places, and now to a mostly smoke free environment in public places; our journey towards a tobacco free country, the US Surgeon General hopes to look back at the centennial and think of tobacco as a habit of the past.  RADM Lushniak is a highly respected member of the USPHS as he has worked his way up from the ensign rank to being admiral, and now the Acting United States Surgeon General, a truly remarkable achievement.



After our meeting with the US Surgeon General, we were able to meet with CAPT Robert Tosatto, the Director of the Division of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). He explained the workings of the MRC and what his job entails. Also we were introduced to a unique opportunity to intern the OSG office as a junior commissioned officer in the Public Health Service.

We then had a chance to meet with the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. They discussed their mission for our country, including our driving efforts to have schools commit to physically active days for youth through the Let's Move! Campaign. We will be working closely with the council throughout the week in order to target more schools with the help of National HOSA (more information coming soon!)

Some ideas for our project!

 After a busy morning, we went with our new US Public Health Service mentors to Benjarong for a Thai lunch. We bonded as not only as a team but a family!

With satisfied bellies and rejuvenated minds, we listened to LCDR Skip Payne about the US Public Health Service History as well as his career in epidemiology.  He discussed with us the history of the United States Public Health Service, in addition to clarifying the distinctions offered to them through awards they received to celebrate their achievements. He also discussed with us some of his experience while working as an epidemiologist for various components of the Public Health Service within HHS such the Food and Drug Administration.

Lastly, we heard about the career path that brought LT Katie Hager to the US Public Health Service and her passion for the job.  She experienced many difficulties however she persevered and this led her to encounter opportunities which gave her the career she loves and is currently in.

Next stop a night out on the town, Chinatown to be exact! With ENS Sophia Yang by our side we will climb onto the Metro and go on a city adventure!  Goodnight and see you tomorrow!

Chinatown!