The Veterinary Professional Advisory Committee (Vet PAC) representing the veterinary category of the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps met at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on January 17, 2006.
The PHS Commissioned Corps serves under the Surgeon General and consists of approximately 6000 officers assigned to 11 specialties, or categories, including veterinarian. The mission of the veterinary category is the application of veterinary science to gain a greater understanding of the causative mechanisms of illness, develop strategies to prevent disease, and implement programs to improve the general health of the public. The Vet PAC, chaired by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s LCDR Regina Tan, serves in an advisory capacity to the Surgeon General.
During the meeting, the veterinary category was applauded for attaining the highest level of readiness of all the 11 categories. It was also reported however, that there were only 85 officers currently in the veterinary category which represents the lowest number in over 20 years. In addition, the Emergency Program section of USDA, APHIS has been attempting to finalize a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the PHS to allow commissioned corps veterinarians to accept positions within APHIS. This MOA has been in the works for two years and remains unfinished.
Source:
FDA, VPACM