Fast Facts 2009 June
June 2009 Fast Facts
The July 2009 Fast Facts is my inaugural issue. I am your new Head of Student Programs, and I am very grateful to CDR McLean for leaving such a wealth of information, positive change and satisfied customers in his incredibly productive three and half years. I know we all wish him the best in his future endeavors and although many will be sad to see him go, I will strive to continue his tradition of service and seemingly endless knowledge to all of you.
Summer has traditionally been a time of transition for the Navy as people move to new duty stations, jobs and exciting adventures. I hope this summer brings positive and exciting changes for all of you. Thus, in the fine Navy tradition, this issue will focus on training, travel, and transitions.
Correspondence:
OH@med.navy.mil is the best way to send documents or ask questions, because it goes to a central location and is distributed to staff who are not on travel or vacation. The system is limited to 5 MB, so any attachments larger than that crash the system. Please use the setting for e-mail scans and break up large documents into several e-mails with a small attachment each.
Are you transitioning?
Update your information: The best way to ensure you are not missing important e-mail information is to keep us up to date on your e-mail address, home address changes, and phone numbers. You won't get your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) if you change your address and don't tell us about it. If your e-mail changes, let us know at OH@med.navy.mil.
Check your "spam’ boxes! "Our emails may be filtered and not reach you. Also, please empty your mail box periodically to ensure that you can continue to receive new emails. We have received notice from our Information Technology (IT) staff that some e-mails have ”bounced” back to us because your mailboxes are full.
Remember this is the life line we use to inform you of changes, requirements and important information about your future careers. Don’t be the only one who is not informed.
Training:
Annual Training (AT) /Travel: While there is guidance regarding ATs on the website, in Fast Facts, and in the Student Handbook, there are always questions that may not be covered. If you have questions, contact us at OH@med.navy.mil. We are happy to answer any and all questions. It is our purpose in life.
Travel:
Planning for Travel: Plan ahead for your Travel AT by having enough money or form of credit to cover your expenses. Although you will be reimbursed, it will not be immediately, and you will need to pay up front for items such as your rental car, food and housing.
NROWS Update: NROWS is no longer accessible without a Common Access Card (CAC) due to an increase in security standards. Because you are not authorized a CAC card, you will not be able to access this system. We should have a new system in place soon for orders, but in the mean time, please email OH@med.navy.mil and in the subject line put "(Your Name) - annual training request."
After completion of travel: After you perform travel under any kind of orders including annual training orders, you must complete a travel claim within five working days after return from official travel.
• Include original orders, original receipts and any applicable endorsements for non-availability of quarters/messing.
• Send the completed and signed travel claim with supporting documentation to Accessions Department Annual Training and Reimbursement Section representatives for processing.
• Don’t forget to request mileage from home to the airport. If you do not list the mileage you will not receive the $0.58 per-mile entitled to you. You list that information on Block 15f of the travel claim.
• If you were authorized to travel via personal vehicle, you may be entitled to mileage, also known as "malt." You must provide the distance in mileage from point A to point B and write it into the appropriate block on the form.
• You can be reimbursed for tolls if you use your personal vehicle as transportation and it is authorized. Obtain toll receipts and submit them. If receipts are not provided, the PSD Travel Section will determine whether or not the tolls are legitimate
• ODS Travel Claims: While the amount owed is not very large, you are due a payment from ODS. Adding the cab fare from Providence to Newport and back can be $100-150. This is your money, and we want to give it to you so fill out your travel claim.
If you need assistance, you can find it on the website at http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/accessions/Pages/HowtoSubmitaTravelClaim.aspx.
Transitions:
Please notify us immediately for any changes to your health or academic status. Waiting to inform us will only delay our ability to provide guidance and information.
Stipend: On July 1st, there was an increase in the HPSP/FAP stipend that corresponds to the military cost of living adjustment for the calendar year. The stipend is now $1992 per month.
Student Handbook: Yes, there is a new updated Student Handbook for 2009. Yes, it is VERY important that you read it thoroughly. The handbook is the official policy guide for students and we update it every year. The current handbook may be found at: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/accessions/Documents/NAVMEDMPTEINST%201520%201C%20STUDENT%20PROGRAM%20HANDBOOK.pdf
If you find any directions in the handbook incomplete or confusing, let us know. We can make changes for the next version.
Safety First: Summer is a time of increased travel and activity. With this comes an increased potential for accidents. Please be careful and smart. Also, please check on the status of any and all insurances you may have, especially your health insurance. You do not want to be ‘surprised’ after the fact that you were not covered. For some, another birthday may mean you are no longer eligible to be under your parent’s coverage.
Your Role as a Naval Officer: Remember you are a Naval Officer 24/7 and will be held to that standard personally, professionally, and physically.
• Personally you are expected to conduct yourselves with honor, and avoid situations that would be unlawful, unethical or questionable.
• Professionally you must pass your classes and graduate. All Medical and Dental students must complete the first 2 parts of their licensing exams prior to graduation and promotion to LT. All Physician Assistants must pass boards prior to graduation.
• Physically you are expected to keep yourselves within height and weight standards and should be following a routine that will keep you physically fit and ready to come on active duty. The first thing you get recorded when you present to Officer Development School (ODS) is your height and weight. Plan accordingly. NOTE: ODS has a new website: http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/test/otc/ods.asp
Website: Our current website is: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/accessions/Pages/default.aspx
We are always considering ways to improve it and welcome your suggestions. Information on the website is updated more frequently than the handbook, so check for your answers there first.
How to reach us: Included in every Fast Facts is an updated list of individual points of contact with e-mail and phone numbers. While we prefer the use of OH@med.navy.mil because it is independent of any one person being in the office, students may certainly call directly. We will do our best to return your call within 2 working days. If you leave a voicemail and do not receive a call back within 2 working days, send an e-mail to OH with “Escalate” in the subject. Your questions will be addressed from there.
Points of Contact for MDAD:
Program Manager Dr. Yerkes 301-295-9950 Sandra.Yerkes@med.navy.mil
Student Affairs LCDR Sanchez 301-295-1217 Marlene.Sanchez@med.navy.mil
Bursar LT Adams 301-319-4531 Yolanda.Adams@med.navy.mil
Registrar Ms. Smith 301-319-4526 Frances.R.Smith@med.navy.mil
Systems Mr. Hughes
YN3 Hepler
HN Copeland 301-319-4529
301-295-3042
301-319-4534 Sean.Hughes@med.navy.mil
Zoe.Hepler@med.navy.mil
Crystal.Copeland@med.navy.mil
Tuition Mr. Woodard
HM1 Castillo
HM1 Gilland
HM2 Cuenca 301-295-9977
301-319-4539
301-295-2065
301-295-5315 Dion.Woodard@med.navy.mil
Katherine.Castillo@med.navy.mil
Kathleen.Gilland@med.navy.mil
Nancy.Cuenca@med.navy.mil
Travel
Mr. Green
Ms. Elliott
Ms. Mathis 301-319-4538
301-319-4540
301-319-4542 Jon.Green@med.navy.mil
Garcia.Elliot@med.navy.mil
Cassandra.Mathis@med.navy.mil
Books and Equipment Reimbursements Ms. Fundersburg 301-295-1594 Benita.Fundersburg@med.navy.mil
Travel/Reimbursement Fax 301-295-1811 OH@med.navy.mil
Professional Affairs Mr. Pelot
(Medical Students)
Ms. Sampson
(Dental Students)
MSC Students
301-319-4517
301-295-1594
Joseph.Pelot@med.navy.mil
Lydia.Sampson@med.navy.mil
Medical Records
Medical Records Fax HM2 Mignerey 301-295-3772
301-295-6865 (fax) Heather.Mignerey@med.navy.mil
OH@med.navy.mil
Research Opportunity: The Val G. Hemming Award, sponsored by the Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, is a pediatric research competition for the best paper on a pediatric related topic in clinical or basic science research (excluding case reports). The Award is a $200 stipend, a plaque, and a travel grant to participate in the Uniformed Services Pediatric Seminar Annual Meeting in March 2010 in San Diego, California. Abstracts must be received no later than 26 October 2009 to the Scientific Awards Coordinator: Tracey Coletta - Scientific Awards Coordinator American Academy of Pediatrics, 141 Northwest Point Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098; Phone: (800) 433-9016 ext 4926; E-mail: tcoletta@aap.org
The Site for the Hemming award will open in late summer 2009: http://www.aap.org/sections/uniformedservices/uspsrules.htm
