1980's  Development of a workbook by O.T. department at NIH on Joint Protection and Energy Conservation distributed through the Government Printing Office

1980's  Initiation of IHS pediatric developmental therapy and comprehensive management of spinal cord injury.

1981  President Reagan passed the Omnibus Budget Reconcilication Act (OBRA) which resulted in the closing of the Merchant Marine Hospital System. OBRA terminated the health care entitlement of merchant seaman and required the immediate transfer or closure of the 8 remaining
hospitals and 27 clinics resulting in a significant restructuring of USPHS officers.

1981 The Joseph Hoog Award was established to honor the memory of CAPT Joseph Hoog. CAPT Hoog, during his PHS career, advanced the field of physical therapy by his pioneering work in musculoskeletal examination and treatment. The Hoog award is intended to encourage PHS therapists to participate in research and publish results.

Mid-1980s Nancy Davidge, speech language pathologist, was one of the first to look at an area of pragmatic language development, specifically the transition from one and two word utterances in children.

1984 USPHS Physical Therapists evaluated and redesigned the footwear worn in the US Coast Guard

1985 Margaret Wilson, PT, appointed as first clinical consultant for pediatric rehabilitation within the Rehabilitation Branch for NAIHS.

1985 CAPT William Cox, PT, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He was the first therapist to receive this honor.

Late 1980's St. Elizabeth’s became part of the DC Commission on Mental Health Services. The first PHS OT was stationed there.

Oct. 86-Oct 90 CAPT William Fromherz,1st CPO for the Therapy Category. CAPT Fromherz served as a staffing officer and then Chief of the Staffing Section at DCP from 1987-1996. During his tenure, he was a driving force for standardizing billets, for justifying clinical practice through
clinical research and a strong supporter of developing mentorship programs for officers. The William Fromherz Award was established after his death to memorialize his many contributions to the Therapy Category and the USPHS and to recognize other leaders in the Therapy Category.
CAPT William Fromherz died June 8, 1996

1987 Dominick Aretino, OT, was appointed as the first full time clinical pediatric therapist in the IHS. He was assigned to the PT department in the service unit at Chinle, Arizona.

1988 Coast Guard Therapists developed the new Physical Fitness Program for Rescue Swimmers.

1989 Publication of the “NIOSH Low Back Atlas”. Written by USPHS physical therapists, the Atlas addressed ergonomic research.