KAREN:  So then how did you end up in Alaska?

DR. PARK:  We just wanted to see Alaska.  So when I got through with internship and -- I don't remember. 

Well, we decided it would probably be easier if I contracted because I had already heard of the shortage of physicians.  And -- and then he would come up and find a job. 

So that's -- I -- I came under contract of the old -- well, Alaska Native Service.  And to the old ANMC, which wasn't named that yet. 

KAREN:  What was it, the Alaska Native Medical Center?  Is that what ANMC stands for? 

DR. PARK:  Yeah.  And it wasn't -- let's see, it was just called the Alaska Native Service for several years.  I've forgotten just what it was named.

KAREN:  Yeah.  So how do you get a job with them?  What was the process? 

DR. PARK:  Well, I had contracted to come up on Civil Service on a two-year basis.  And at that time, what they did, every two years, if you wanted to renew your contract or go out -- Outside, as they call it, and come back every two -- go out every two years and sign a new contract.  And so I -- I did that rather than going to -- going into the Public Health Service. 

KAREN:  So by going out and renewing your contract, you would go -- I don't --

DR. PARK:  Well, they -- oh, I'm sorry.  They -- they allowed us a vacation. 

KAREN:  Oh, okay. 

DR. PARK:  Every two years.  Paid.  And along with it, if you went, you also signed up for another two years on a contract. 

KAREN:  Oh, I see. 

DR. PARK:  So I kept doing that for years.
 
KAREN:  That sounds like a pretty good deal.
 
DR. PARK:  Yeah.  And -- but that -- I just stayed Civil Service.  I had good enough, you know, reasons and health care that I just stayed Civil Service instead of going into the Public Health Service Corps. 

KAREN:  Oh, I see.  Okay.  So Public Health Service is made up of both corps and civil? 

DR. PARK:  Yeah. 

KAREN:  Oh, okay. 

DR. PARK:  And --

KAREN:  What's the difference? 

DR. PARK:  Oh, I don't remember the pay structure, but the Public Health Service Corps usually, at -- in the early days went wherever they were assigned. 

And Civil Service, we came on a contract for two years, a lot of them stayed two years and left.  And -- well, it also -- I can't remember whether it was two years.  I don't -- I don't remember what some of the arrangements were.  But initially, there was probably more Civil Service than Public Health Service. 
KAREN:  Hmm. 

DR. PARK:  And eventually, it -- it went the other way.
 
KAREN:  And then the corps part, they are the more -- is it a military affiliation? 

DR. PARK:  Yeah. 

KAREN:  They sometimes wear uniforms, right? 

DR. PARK:  Yeah. 

KAREN:  I don't know if they still do, but --

DR. PARK:  Uniforms are very similar to the Coast Guard.  And...

KAREN:  So that counted as military service for them? 

DR. PARK:  I think so.

KAREN:  Think so?  Hmm.

DR. PARK:  I think so.  They owed -- a lot of them owed two years of service under some of the old regulations.