Department of Homeland Security Appoints U.S. HealthWorks Medical Director to Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee

Valencia, CA Nov 7, 2011 – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has appointed Dr. Mark Pucek, Regional Medical Director with U.S. HealthWorks Medical Group, to its Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee provides expertise and recommendations to the Department of Homeland Security on matters related to the medical evaluations and requirements for Merchant Mariners. Dr. Pucek will serve a five-year term on the committee.
Dr. Pucek is the U.S. HealthWorks Regional Medical Director for the Southern United States. U.S. HealthWorks is a leading operator of urgent care and occupational healthcare centers in the nation, with 171 centers and worksite locations in 15 states.
“This is a tremendous honor to be chosen as a member of the Advisory Committee and be relied upon by the Department of Homeland Security to initiate new ideas and recommendations regarding medical issues for Merchant Mariners,” Dr. Pucek said.
Established in June 2009, the Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee advises the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on matters related to (A) medical certification determinations for issuance of licenses, certificates of registry, and merchant mariner documents; (B) medical standards and guidelines for the physical qualifications of operators of commercial vessels; (C) medical examiner education; and (D) medical research.
The committee provides a forum for development, communication and consideration of expert-based and scientific recommendations. The committee also is responsive to specific assignments and may conduct studies and inquiries in consultation with individuals and groups in the private sector as well as state and local government.
Dr. Pucek has been a member of the U.S. HealthWorks Medical Executive Committee since 1998. As a Regional Medical Director, he advises U.S. HealthWorks in the development of national and regional policies and procedures pertaining to medical professional conduct, best medical practices, medical formulary decisions, and quality of care.
Dr. Pucek has done consultant work for nearly two decades with Kirby Marine Corporation in Houston, Texas, the largest inland marine barge towing company in the U.S. His experience with Kirby (previously Hollywood Marine Corporation) included U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner medical examinations and evaluations, development of a medical surveillance program, and serving as a guest expert medical advisor to the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (2008) at the Coast Guard National Maritime Center in Washington, DC.
A resident of Dickinson, Texas, Dr. Pucek received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and attended the University of Texas at Austin for his undergraduate studies.