When we first interviewed LT TaQuanta Feely, an environmental health officer, for the Officer Spotlight, she was the sole safety officer and emergency management coordinator for the Indian Health Service Colorado River Service Unit (CRSU). CRSU is a unique service unit that operates out of five locations throughout three states: Arizona, California, and Nevada. One of the locations, Supai Health Station, is at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It is only accessible by helicopter, mule or horse, or on foot via a 10-mile one-way hike. “The opportunity to take a helicopter down to Supai Health Station, one of the world’s most remote locations, at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is what I considered to be the most exciting aspect of my job. Being able to make a difference in the community and knowing they feel safe when they are in our health care facilities gave me job satisfaction.”

As the safety officer and emergency management coordinator, LT Feely was responsible for safeguarding patients, staff, and visitors at the five health care facilities comprising CRSU. This included the implementation of fire management, emergency preparedness, security, radiology safety, hazardous waste, and respiratory fit programs. She monitored and tracked employee injuries, conducted safety inspections, investigated workplace accidents and incidents, and provided safety training to all employees.

LT Feely grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She began her health care career working as a certified pharmacy technician. Her enthusiasm for promoting health and wellness increased and she subsequently worked for the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. She worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs for more than six years prior to joining the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps in 2019.

Her desire to accomplish more led to her returning to school to pursue her Master of Public Health and soon after her Doctor of Public Health. She credits her education for equipping her with the knowledge to assist communities on such a global scale.

During her practicum project for her Master of Public Health program at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, she met a Public Health Service officer. The two discussed how LT Feely would make an excellent Public Health Service officer as she had a lot to contribute to the health care sector through offering health care resources and promoting wellness. As it turns out, the Public Health Service officer was exactly right! The USPHS Commissioned Corps has provided LT Feely with the opportunity to serve her country, assist communities, and travel near and far.

While LT Feely is awaiting her first deployment, she remains actively committed to promoting outreach and assisting her own community and others. She is the healthcare ministry leader for her home church in Jacksonville, Florida, where she oversees the annual community health fair. Additionally, she serves as team captain for the annual Cancer Awareness Walk, where all proceeds from her team are donated to the American Cancer Society. As a member of her church’s mission team, she plans mission trips to various regions of Africa. In 2017, she visited Tanzania. In 2018, she visited Uganda. During those visits, the team provides healthcare services, resources, and education.

Being a Public Health Service officer has meant a great deal to LT Feely. She considers herself fortunate to carry on her family tradition of serving our country and the communities where we

live. As she looks towards the future, “I would like to encourage others to consider a life of public service where they could use their skills, abilities, and best attributes to improve the health of others.” She encourages other health care individuals to make a difference by accepting new challenges. She shares the following: “Don’t fear change. It is an exciting pathway to everything you can imagine.” What she takes away from being a Public Health Service officer is this: “Leadership is about insight. Throughout my years as a Public Health Service officer I have conversations with mentors that guided me in my journey.”

LT Feely is currently the assistant health services administrator at U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement Health Service Corps Buffalo (Batavia) Service Processing Center.