APAOC COIN CHALLENGE

Fouled Anchor & Caduceus

APAOC Logo

There is a history that stands behind the symbols on our new coin. The PHS seal features the fouled anchor and caduceus and was developed by the first Surgeon General, John Maynard Woodworth. The fouled anchor signified a seaman in distress or sick seamen, a reference to our beginnings with the treatment of these sick and disabled seamen. Today, the caduceus is often associated with or used as a medical symbol but in 1871, this association was not as common as it is today. The caduceus was actually associated with the Roman god, Mercury who was the god of trade and commerce. The caduceus was probably intended to underscore the main task of merchant marines, who promoted trade. At the time, the PHS (known as the Marine Hospital Service) specifically served merchant marines so it is most likely that this was what Woodworth had in mind when he created the seal.

The Asian Pacific American Officers Committee (APAOC) was established in 1990 as one of the four minority officer advisory groups that constituted the Minority Officers Liaison Council. The committee was chartered in 1993. The APAOC advises the Office of the Surgeon General on professional and personnel issues which impact Asian and Pacific Islanders employed in the federal government. These issues include improving the recruitment, retention and career development of Asian and Pacific Islanders in the Public Health Service, whether they are Commissioned Corps or Civil Service. The APAOC also provides similar advice and assistance to the Operational Divisions of Department of Health and Human Services and other programs.

The APAOC logo is designed to have the US PHS Commissioned Corps logo in original color in the center, surrounded by four bamboos bound together at the ends to form a diamond shape. The bamboo is deeply rooted in many Asian and Pacific Islanders' cultures. It represents the unique characteristics of Asian and Pacific American Officers rooted in its rich cultural heritage: strength, perseverance, flexibility, and tenacity. The following text run outside the diamond shaped bamboos: "ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN OFFICERS COMMITTEE".