2006 HS-PAC Readiness Subcommittee

Chair: CDR Christopher J. Bersani, BOP

Members:  CDR Susan Burt, CDC
                  LCDR Jeff Buckser, FDA
                   LCDR Wanda Finch, SAMHSA
                  LCDR Daisy Mitchell, OCCO
                  LCDR Scott Salvatore, BOP
                  LT Linda Ford
                  LT John Gusto, FDA
                  LT Timothy Pappalardo, BOP
                  LT Susan Peacock, OS
                  LT Michael Tilus, IHS
                       LTJG Thomas Janisko BOP

Committee Responsibilities:

• Serves as primary source of information on HSO specialties and deployment roles within the Office of Force Readiness and Deployment (OFRD).
• Represent HSOs, with input from dicipline representatives, regarding OFRD policies.
• Educate and encourage participation regarding health and fitness requirements for deployment.
• Edit, maintain and update HSO-Readiness & Deployment Web page.
• Initiate other projects as the Chair, HS-PAC and CPO may assign.

2006 Projected HS-PAC Readiness Subcommittee Activities

Complete and edit HSO-Readiness Web page.
Coordinate efforts for more direct communication between OFRD and the HS-PAC
Supply up-to-date information regarding deployability and other information crucial to HSOs

2004-2006 HS-PAC Readiness Subcommittee Chair - CDR Christopher Bersani

CDR Christopher Bersani, Psy.D., ABPP, received his initial commission as a Health Services Officer in 2001 and currently serves as the Clinical Health Psychologist at the Federal Medical Center in Devens, Massachusetts within the Federal Bureau of Prisons. His present duties include providing a variety of psychological services to federal inmates who have chronic medical conditions. Some of these services include providing comprehensive psychological evaluations, interpreting psychological tests, performing group and individual treatment, developing and implementing psycho-educational programs regarding Health Psychology issues and supervising doctoral level psychology interns. CDR Bersani provides consultation to the Health Services Department regarding performance improvement initiatives. CDR Bersani was also selected and recently completed a three-year Leadership Development Program through the Department of Justice.

CDR Bersani previously served over 6 years as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy (Medical Service Corps) prior to transferring to PHS. Past assignments in the Navy include psychology positions at the National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda), Naval Hospital (Jacksonville, FL) and the Naval Ambulatory Care Center (Newport, RI). He was also served in several TDY activities, including assignments in Iceland and South Pole, Antarctica.

CDR Bersani received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Vermont (1989) and his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago (1995). In 2002, CDR Bersani achieved diplomate status with the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is currently licensed in the states of Massachusetts and Florida.

CDR Bersani has been an active member of various PHS activities since his commission to the Corps. He currently serves as a member of the Health Services Professional Advisory Committee and is the Chair of the Readiness Sub-Committee. In 2003, he served as a member of the Policy and Readiness Sub-Committees for the HS-PAC. He is a member of the Commissioned Officer's Association (including the New England Branch) and the Military Officer's Association. CDR Bersani has received several awards during his active duty service. PHS awards include an Achievement Medal, Special Act Award, Unit Commendation, The Crisis Response Award, Field Medical Readiness Badge, two Citation Awards, a Hazardous Duty Award, Regular Corps Ribbon and the Basic Officer's Training Ribbon. Navy awards include two Commendation Medals, an Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.