Program Support Center

The Program Support Center, who leads the Go Green Get Healthy HHS sustainability team, hosted a very well-received Earth Day Speaker Series April 23-24 for HHS staff with the theme Planet vs Plastics. Nearly 800 staff attended the session on April 23 with Emily Hilz, PhD, Post Doctorate Fellow, Andrea Gore Laboratory, University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Hilz presented on “Understanding the Human Health Implications of Exposure to Chemicals in Plastic”, an in-depth look at how the chemicals from plastics are impacting our health with an emphasis on personal care products. The April 24 session had nearly 600 staff in attendance. Presenter Aidan Charron, Director of End Plastic Initiatives, EARTHDAY.ORG, spoke on an “Overview of the Impact of Plastics on Our Planet and Our Health.” Throughout each session, engagement was consistently strong with numerous comments and questions. The sessions provided excellent education and outreach to HHS staff for Earth Day and beyond regarding these important topics. #ProgramSupportCenter #USDepartmentofHealthandHumanSerivces #HHSEarthDaySpeakerSeries #GoGreenGetHealthyHHS #EarthDay.org

The Program Support Center (PSC) participated in a Take Your Child to Work Day at 5600 Fishers Lane in Rockville, Maryland on Thursday, April 25, 2024. PSC and other U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies hosted the event for children between the grades of K-12. The event provided an opportunity for school-age children to see what a workday was like with their parent or guardian.   The event was packed with about 30 various activities including PSC presentations to promote:   • Employee Assistance Program • Family Zumba® • Sustainable Energy • Transit Program Deputy Assistant Secretary, Program Support Center Patrick L. Hernandez also met with the PSC children to teach them about the organization and federal service. #TakeYourChildtoWorkDay #ProgramSupportCenter #PSC #USDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices #HHS

Today is Earth Day! Did you know that PSC’s services “go green” in a multitude of ways supporting HHS, the federal government, our environment, and being good stewards for taxpayers? Here are a few examples. • Facilities Operations Specialist Alvin Rufino led the conversion of existing water fountains into strategically located water-filling stations throughout 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland. This project is projected to save an average of 50 to 100 16-ounce water bottles per day under current building occupancy, equivalent to a greenhouse gas reduction of 52,925 kilograms annually. • PSC’s Electric Vehicle Charging Program installed electric vehicle charging stations at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in 2021. They have avoided 33,010kg of greenhouse gas emissions, which is equivalent to planting 846 trees and letting them grow for 10 years. • PSC’s CAPT Leo Angelo Gumapas and LCDR Reginald Taylor were part of an HHS Green Champion group award: Developing the HHS Sustainable Acquisitions and Climate Resilience Guide. The team’s guide focused on maximizing the procurement of sustainable products and services to achieve reduced greenhouse gas emissions outlined in Executive Order 14057. It was finalized in November 2023, and HHS has the potential to increase sustainable acquisitions by $4.3 billion per year! #ProgramSupportCenter #USDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices #GoGreenGetHealthyHHS #GoGreen #EarthDay #ElectricVehicleCharging #SutainableAcquisitions #WaterSavings

The Go Green Get Healthy HHS sustainability team, managed by PSC staff, is leading the celebration for Earth Day for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The 2024 theme is Planet vs. Plastics.   Earth Day is every day and the team is providing plenty of educational outreach for HHS staff to inspire them throughout the year. Outreach includes an Earth Day Speaker Series with two experts who will discuss the effects of plastic pollution on the earth and our health, April 23-24; HHS Earth Day Kids’ Poster Contest; HHS Green Champions Awards; and an online Earth Day Expo.   See the kids’ poster contest winners: https://lnkd.in/dQ9Ki44P. #ProgramSupportCenter #USDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices #GoGreenGetHealthyHHS #GoGreen #EarthDay #PlanetvsPlastics #HHSGreenChampions #HHSKidsEarthDayPosterContest

The Program Support Center’s Real Property Management Services team is leading the celebration of World Water Day https://lnkd.in/giDAfxtx for HHS, observed March 22, 2024. This annual day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources that play an essential role in our everyday lives and are fundamental to our health. Water is essential to our health, environment, economy, and quality of life. The team leads the Go Green Get Healthy HHS sustainability program for the Department and promoted the day through outreach education.   Below are some actions you can take to maintain clean water supplies:   • Reduce water waste by using low-flow fixtures, washing laundry with only full loads, turning off running water when not in use, and fixing leaks. • Don’t flush or dump chemicals, medicine, or oils down drains. • Reduce the use of electricity, as the majority of water use in the U.S. goes towards generating electricity. • Prevent erosion by planting rain gardens, native landscaping, and trees. • Participate in local cleanups. Act now to help to save our water and the well-being of ourselves and our communities! #ProgramSupportCenter #USDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices #WorldWaterDay #GoGreen #GoGreenGetHealthyHHS

Yesterday, PSC hosted an inspiring All Hands meeting! We were honored to have HHS Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA) Cheryl R. Campbell join us to share what our colleagues across other divisions are focusing on. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Program Support Patrick L. Hernandez also presented, sharing invaluable insights and an opportunity to discuss PSC strategic objectives, priorities, and actionable initiatives.   Our staff joined together both in person and online from around the nation which displayed the true spirit of unity and enthusiasm to support the PSC mission and missions of our customer agencies. Again, we thank ASA Campbell for joining us at our All Hands and your unwavering support to PSC. The meeting was truly inspiring, as we strive ahead in our commitment to excellence and shared success. #ProgramSupportCenter #USDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices

After more than two decades of dedicated federal service, Bradley Christ has retired from the Program Support Center (PSC), Federal Occupational Health (FOH). Throughout his distinguished career, Bradley has held key positions, showcasing exemplary leadership and commitment to advancing the agency's mission. Most recently Bradley was Service Director of Behavioral Health Services, demonstrating unparalleled expertise overseeing all facets of service delivery for the Employee Assistance Program and Work-Life Services. In previous roles, he was Service Director of Environmental Health and Safety Services, undertaking multifaceted leadership; and a Senior Business Development Manager and Senior Environmental, Health and Safety Consultant. He played a pivotal role in the management of occupational health services for over 360 federal departments, demonstrating a commitment to the well-being of federal employees. His initiatives to introduce new products and enhance existing service delivery have significantly contributed to the agency's success.   Prior to federal service, as an Industrial Hygiene Safety Consultant he provided vital consultation services to federal agencies in the development of industrial hygiene, safety, and environmental health policies. Bradley’s legacy is one of exceptional leadership, dedication, and innovation. His impact on the agency's success and contributions to the well-being of federal employees will be remembered and celebrated by colleagues and peers alike. PSC extends our heartfelt gratitude to Bradley for his unwavering commitment and wishes him a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement. Below, from left are: PSC Director Patrick Hernandez, Bradley Christ, and FOH Director Dr. Sheila Robinson. #ProgramSupportCenter #FederalOccupationalHealth #USDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices

PSC is leading two annual initiatives — HHS Green Champion Awards nominations and HHS Kids’ Earth Day Poster Contest for kids in grades K-12. Both entries are due by Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The HHS Kids’ Earth Day Poster Contest is open to kids who have a relative that is an HHS employee or contractor. This year’s theme, Planet vs. Plastics, focuses on the growing concern of plastic use and its effects on the environment and human health. This contest helps teach HHS employees how to battle against plastics. The PSC Real Property Management Services team is leading the initiatives for the Go Green Get Healthy HHS sustainability group.  HHS Green Champion Awards honor individual federal employees and Native American tribal members, small groups, and projects or programs that demonstrate measurable results towards integrating sustainability principles into the HHS mission and its daily operations. To view a gallery of all the finalists from last year's HHS Kids' Earth Day Poster Contest, visit the Program Support Center Flickr webpage https://lnkd.in/etFpYhGA. Poster ideas can also be found at www.EarthDay.org. For more information on the HHS Go Green Get Healthy initiatives, HHS staff can visit the Go Green Get Healthy HHS webpage on the HHS intranet or email GoGreen@hhs.gov. #ProgramSupportCenter #USDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices #GreenChampions #HHSKidsPosterContest #GoGreen #GoGreenGetHealthyHHS #EndPlasticPollution #PlanetvsPlastics #EarthDay

Alfredo “Al” Riera, Service Director for the Real Estate, Logistics, and Operations’ Real Property Management Services, Program Support Center (PSC), has been awarded the Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Medal. The award noted that “Mr. Riera's expert leadership and skill transformed the programs within his purview while serving as a Supervisory General Engineer for the Directorate of Public Works, U.S. Army Installation Management Command at Fort Bliss, Texas, from March 2014 to February 2023. His efforts resulted in improved readiness and enhanced the lives of soldiers, families, and civilians across the installation. Riera's outstanding achievement, dedication, and exemplary performance are in keeping with the highest traditions of government service and reflect great credit upon himself, the U.S. Army Materials Command, and the Department of the Army.”   In the photo below, from left are PSC Director Patrick Hernandez and Riera. The award certificate was signed by U.S. Army General Charles Hamilton, Commanding General of United States Army Materiel Command, and certified by the Secretary of the Army. Congratulations Al for your outstanding service! #ProgramSupportCenter #USDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices #SuperiorCivilianServiceMedal #DirectorateofPublicWorks #USArmyInstallationManagementCommand #UnitedStatesArmyMaterielCommand #DepartmentoftheArmy #USArmy #FortBliss

Did you know that plastic use in the U.S. has nearly doubled in the past 20 years, but only 5% of plastic waste gets recycled? The Go Green Get Healthy HHS team, led by the Program Support Center’s Real Property Management Services, hosted a Bite-Size Learning session open to all U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) staff recently on the topic “Minimizing Plastic Waste with Everyday Products – an Open Discussion”. More than 380 attendees learned about a high-level overview of the plastic pollution problem, U.S. statistics from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency on plastic use and waste, replacement products, and an open discussion on sharing ideas to reduce plastic use. There were ideas shared such as using food containers like glass jars and buying in bulk, utilizing reusable beeswax wraps or silicone bags for food storage, reusable takeout containers, a 30 Days to Zero Waste Calendar, and other resources. There are also plenty of tips and resources posted on the Go Green Get Healthy HHS intranet website for all HHS staff about ways to reduce plastic use. Sustainability Engineer Diana Hirshfeld led the event in partnership with PSC Communications project lead John Moynihan. #ProgramSupportCenter #USDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices #GoGreen #GoGeenGetHealthyHHS #MinimizePlasticWaste