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Richard Vause, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C, associate professor, Physician Assistant program, received the US Public Health Service Retired Officer Award at the 2016 American Academy of Physician Assistants conference in San Antonio on May 14. The award, granted by the Black Commissioned Officers Advisory Group (BCOAG), recognizes the “outstanding service and leadership of Public Health Services (PHS) officers … to the mission of the PHS Commissioned Corps.”
Dr. Vause retired from the commissioned corps of the US Public Health Service (USPHS) after more than 22 years of service prior to beginning his career in academia. USPHS officers hold naval rank and, as Captain Vause, he worked with several USPHS departments, including the Office of the Surgeon General, where he was the founding commander of the Surgeon General’s Honor Guard and established that unit’s regulations and procedures.
Dr. Vause was presented with his award by retired RADM Kenneth Moritsuga, former US Surgeon General, and RADM Epifanio Elizano, current USPHS Chief Health Services Officer. The Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service has more than 6,500 full-time, highly qualified public health professionals dedicated to delivering the Nation’s public health promotion and disease prevention programs and advancing public health science. It is one of the nation’s seven uniformed services and its officers serve their country in communities that are most in need by providing essential health care services to underserved and vulnerable populations.
