Auxiliary Support to Coast Guard Health Services
The Coast Guard (CG) recognizes that the CG Auxiliary is composed of many skilled volunteers, some of whom are trained, qualified, licensed or registered to perform many of the same health care activities that are performed by active duty personnel. Some Auxiliarists are willing to perform health care activities on a volunteer basis for the USCG.
As the missions and responsibilities of the CG have expanded, so has the need for health care personnel to perform routine health care and to be available for backfill. During surge operations, CG Auxiliarist participation can augment the health care capabilities of CG health care units, when active duty personnel are needed for operational response or deployment.
Because of the special training, certification, and licensing requirements needed in the medical field, the CG Office of Health Services has established a mechanism for the verification of the credentials of Auxiliarists who wish to assist CG Clinics or Sickbays. Only those Auxiliarists who have been evaluated through the protocols that the CG Office of Health Services has established shall be eligible to participate in the clinic/sickbay program.
For the purpose of this support program, credentialed Auxiliary health care professionals include Physicians (MD, DO), Dentists (DDS, DMD), Physician Assistants (PA), and Nurse Practitioners (NP). These primary care medical and dental professionals are eligible to volunteer their skills in CG clinics or 
sickbays where the CG is already providing a similar level of health care and within guidelines established by the COMDTINST 6010.2B and the CG Medical Manual.
Registered Nurses (RNs) may also be eligible to participate in CG Clinics as “medical assistants” as described in the COMDTINST and Medical Manual.
The Auxiliary Support COMDTINST can be found here: http://www.uscg.mil/directives/ci/6000-6999/CI_6010_2B.pdf.
In general, this program shall only recruit Auxiliary health care professionals who are located within 50 miles of a Coast Guard clinic or sickbay. The 50 mile limit may be waived based upon the needs of the unit as requested by the clinic and by direct approval of Commandant (CG-11).
The purposes and strategic goals of the Auxiliary's support of CG Health Services are:
1. Recruit, maintain and keep current a database of Auxiliarists with certain primary care qualifications and help coordinate their utilization in authorized support programs.
2. Support the CG's clinic and sickbay health care activities as directed by the CG Office of Health Services (CG-112) and as described in COMDTINST 6010.2B.
3. Act as a health services consultant to the National Commodore, National Executive Committee, and to the National Departments of the Auxiliary.
4. Help update and disseminate program information related to CG Auxiliary health services programs through the Auxiliary District Chain of Leadership and Communication. 
5. Perform other support missions as requested.
Auxiliary EMS Participation
Auxiliary certified and licensed First Responders and EMTs/Paramedics may be eligible to participate in the following medical support areas:
1. CG Clinic as "medical assistants" as described in COMDTINST 6010.2B and the CG Medical Manual - this is at the discretion of local CG Senior Medical Officer.
2. Assist at Small Boat Station's as SAR Boat Crew at the EMT-1 level if the local command authorizes participation.
3. Instructors in First Aid, CPR, AED use, and Lifesavers Course if certified as an Instructor and approved by local unit command.
All AUX health care professionals should contact their respective Managers (see below) when initiating new medical support activities, such as instructing First Aid, CPR, AED or Lifesaver classes for CG or Auxiliary Units, in order to make sure that proper procedures are being followed and to make sure that National Staff is aware of these activities.
If you are a health care provider and want more information, please contact your respective Area Manager via the email listed below:
Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician’s Assistants and Registered Nurses
- COMO Victor Connell, MD
Chief, Auxiliary Support to CG Health Services
Area Manager, Pacific
Email: vconnell@sbcglobal.net
- Joseph Sopko, MD
Area Manager Atlantic
Email: jasopko@roadrunner.com
Dentists
- Harold Holderness, DDS
Dental Manager
Email: sweetporsche@hotmail.com
EMS Personnel
- James Elliott, EMT
EMS Manager
Email: elliott.uscg@gmail.com
