COWETA, Okla. – Wednesday, August 11, 2010, a pinning ceremony for the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps was conducted in honor of Lieutenant Seneca Smith, Chief Operating Officer for the Muscogee Creek Nation Division of Health.
The ceremony was performed at the Koweta Indian Health Facility in the main lobby with many friends, family and colleagues in attendance. Keynote speaker and officer in performing the oath was RADM Kevin Meeks, Director, OKC Area I.H.S., Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS.
“Lt. Smith’s commission to serve in the rank of Lieutenant was effective on July 6th 2010, but this day is the formal pinning ceremony” said Admiral Meeks.
Seneca is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and is of the Wind Clan. Lt. Smith is the husband of Pamela Smith and father of three children; Kaya, Jonas and Makenna. He is the son of Calvin Hill of Okemah and Jerry and Joanna (Smith) Turner of Okemah. His maternal grandparents are the late Rev. Martin and Abbie Smith and his paternal grandparents are Mandy Hill and the late Dave Hill. Seneca graduated with his Masters in Health Administration from A.T. Still University in 2008, B.S. in Radiologic Technology from the OU Health Sciences Center in 2004, B.S. in Allied Health Management from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) 2002, and B.A. in Chemistry from SWOSU in 2001. Prior to coming to the MCN, Seneca served as the Radiology Director for the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority for three years. In 2007, he began work at the MCN as the Health System Administrator at the Sapulpa Indian Health Center, and is currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Division of Health. “I feel great, especially with my career path and that I am able to work for the Muscogee Creek Nation” said Lt. Smith.
You may ask what the Commissioned Corps is about. The following information has been taken from the official web site of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
What is the Commissioned Corps?
The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is an elite team of more than 6,000 full-time, well-trained, highly qualified public health professionals dedicated to delivering the Nation’s public health promotion and disease prevention programs and advancing public health science.
Driven by a passion for public service, these men and women serve on the frontlines in the Nation’s fight against disease and poor health conditions.
As one of America’s seven uniformed services, the Commissioned Corps fills essential public health leadership and service roles within the Nation’s Federal Government agencies and programs. The Corps has officers in many professions, including: Physician, Dentist, Nurse, Pharmacist, Dietitian, Engineer, Environmental health officer, Mental health specialist, including clinical psychologist and clinical social worker, Health services officer, Scientist/researcher, Therapist (includes occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and audiology) and veterinarian.
To apply or for more information about the Commissioned Corps, visit online at www.usphs.gov.