From IHS to CMS a personal journey

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From IHS to CMS - a personal journey

• LCDR Malini Krishnan RN, MSN, MPH, CS, MT (ASCP)

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The Journey

• Joining the PHS
• First Duty Station
• Second Duty Station
• Similarities and differences
• Summary

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Joining the PHS

• Planned to work among the underserved after
  graduate studies
• Preparing to join
• Civil service to Commissioned Corps

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Serving Indigenous populations in two Continents
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First Duty Station (IHS)

• Rural Clinical Billet
• Theory and practice
• Building bridges
• Very emotionally fulfilling

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Fort Defiance Indian Health Service
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Second Duty Station (CMS)

• Urban Administrative billet
• A shift in focus health care provider vs.
  Health insurance agency
• Understanding my role Representing the US
  government

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Second Duty Station (CMS)

• Urban administrative billet
• Developing leadership communication skills
• Keeping the beneficiary in focus

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Window Rock, AZ and Dallas
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Finding my way through the PHS

• Community and individual focus vs. large
  populations and their health care providers
• Fulfilling the PHS mission of protecting,
  promoting and enhancing health

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Same mission different focus

• Separate but united agency work, joint
  deployment, common personnel system, uniform,
  PACS, COA, JOAG and networking
• The limitless opportunities for a Nurse in the
  United States Public Health Service

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Where do we go from here?

• The more things change the more they remain the
  same
• Recruiting and mentoring our own
• Camaraderie across rank, discipline and agency.