Dr. Mark Pucek, a regional medical director for Valencia-based U.S. HealthWorks Medical Group, has been appointed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to a five-year term on its Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee.

The committee advises DHS on matters related to the medical evaluations and requirements for Merchant Mariners.

A resident of Dickinson, Tex., Pucek has been a member of the U.S. HealthWorks Medical Executive Committee since 1998. In that capacity he is responsible for advising the company on national and regional policies and procedures pertaining to medical professional conduct, best medical practices, medical formulary decisions and quality of care.

For nearly two decades, Pucek has consulted for Kirby Marine Corp. of Houston, the country’s largest inland marine barge towing company. His experience has 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 at the Coast Guard National Maritime Center in Washington, D.C.

“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,” Pucek said in a statement.

Founded in 1995, U.S. HealthWorks operates 171 medical centers in 15 states. Its 2,700 employees, including 600 medical pracitioners, serve more than 11,000 patients daily.