Retired CAPT Elise Young commissioned into the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps in 2000 as a licensed clinical social worker. Immediately prior to retirement, she had served as a senior public health analyst in the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) Division of Community HIV/AIDS Programs. She oversaw Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program federal funding for community-based organizations in three western states.

Prior to commissioning, she was a case manager supervisor and director of mental health and substance abuse services at the Whitman Walker Clinic in Washington, DC. Later, she joined the National Association of Social Workers Credentialing Center where she advocated for title protection for social work and professional credentialing for social workers.

Her USPHS Commissioned Corps career started at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) working on Managed Care and Behavioral Health quality indicators.

Between 2002 to 2024, she worked at HRSA’s Bureau of Primary Health Care, Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, and in HAB. At each of these duty stations, she learned the breadth of federal programs supporting underserved communities across the Nation.

In 2016, she was selected by the Office of the Surgeon General to represent the USPHS Commissioned Corps at the Department of Veterans Administration to implement Care Coordination programs for returning wounded warriors as described in the President’s Commission on Care for Wounded Warriors known as the Dole-Shalala Report.

As a Public Health Service officer, there are many opportunities to enhance professional skills but also in areas of personal interests. She served as the Chair for the Asian Pacific American Officers Committee and the Minority Officers Liaison Committee from 2002 to 2004 and was a mentor to many newly-commissioned Public Health Service officers.

She was a charter member of the USPHS Music Ensemble (established in 2000) and served as the Ensemble’s Co-Executive Director. It was an honor to coordinate with the composer of the USPHS March, retired George King III, MUSC, USCG, to arrange for him to conduct the Music Ensemble at the 2023 USPHS Scientific & Training Symposium.

Having the opportunity to respond to federal disasters and help communities in need has been another highlight of her career. She was a member of the National Disaster Medical System’s PHS #1 DMAT and served as the Team Commander for the former Mental Health Team #5. She has served on numerous deployment teams during the span of her career. Her first deployment and one that reinforced her commitment to the public health service was the New York City World Trade Center 9/11 attacks. Her final deployment was to her home state of Hawaii to support the behavioral health needs of persons impacted by the Lahaina wildfires.

Throughout her career, she is reminded of a poem by John Donne she learned in high school: “No Man Is An Island.” This means we are all connected to each other and are responsible for each other. She remarks: “Be accountable to yourself and others, learning never ends, master your skill, and be the difference in someone’s life.”

After a rewarding and humbling 24-year career as a social worker and Public Health Service officer, she is grateful to have served with so many outstanding Public Health Service officers and for the opportunity to serve the people of this Nation. Below are takeaways she would like to share:

• Live an authentic life and understand what it means to be real.
• You become what you practice.
• Be comfortable with being uncomfortable, challenges are opportunities for growth.
• Remember where you came from and those who helped you along your journey.