About the Nursing Professional Advisory Committee

The Nursing Professional Advisory Committee (N-PAC) is a committee comprised of nursing representatives (both civil service and Commissioned Corps) from all U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies (OPDIVS), which provides advice and consultation to the Surgeon General of the United States (SG); the Public Health Service (PHS) Chief Nurse Officer (CNO); and to HHS, federal health, and other leadership (such as HHS agency/program heads and other federal agencies /programs that utilize PHS nursing personnel). The N-PAC carries out its functions on behalf of all HHS members of the discipline, including contract nurses, tribal nurses, nurses in other federal agencies/services in which PHS nurses are assigned, and Commissioned Corps nursing student trainees in the Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (COSTEP).

The N-PAC assists in the development, coordination, and evaluation of issues of concern as they relate to professional nursing and HHS/PHS personnel matters. These activities include assessing nursing and public health needs and assisting in meeting those needs; identifying and facilitating resolution of issues of concern; providing dialogue and comment on subjects related to nursing and public health; and promoting the development and utilization of nurses by HHS/PHS and other government agencies/programs.

The N-PAC, through the PHS CNO, maintains close communication and coordination with professional nursing organizations, and with the Federal Nursing Service Council (FNSC) which comprises the national nursing leaders of the Air Force, American Red Cross, Army, Department of Veteran Affairs, Navy, and PHS. The FNSC collectively represents over 125,000 nurses with a beneficiary population exceeding 8.5 million people. Coordinating with professional nursing organizations and the FNSC on federal nursing issues provides the opportunity to enrich and strengthen the environment for federal nurses and those entrusted to their care.

N-PAC meetings are usually held on the third Friday of the month. Please be sure to subscribe to the PHS Nursing Listserv so you can receive the agenda and minutes for these meetings.

Chair: CAPT Susan Orsega ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Past Chair:  CDR Thomas Pryor ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Chair Elect: CDR Veronica Gordon ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

 N-PAC Secretary:  CDR Serina Hunter-Thomas ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Click here to view the N-PAC Organization Chart