About the Surgeon General
Since 1871, the Surgeon General of the United States has been the nation's leading spokesman on matters of public health. Seventeen men and women have served in this important position. Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S., was sworn in as Surgeon General on August 5, 2002.

The Surgeon General is appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of The United States Senate for a 4-year term of office. In carrying out all responsibilities, the Surgeon General reports to the Assistant Secretary for Health, who is the principal advisor to the Secretary on public health and scientific issues.

The Surgeon General holds the rank of Vice Admiral (VADM) in the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps. The PHS Commissioned Corps is a uniformed service of the same nature as the Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and NOAA Corps. In 1999, then Surgeon General, VADM David Satcher established the Surgeon General's Honor Corps, an elite organization of officers who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to, and pride in, the Commissioned Corps.

The minimum requirements for appointment as Surgeon General are:

A medical degree from an accredited medical school

At least one year of postgraduate medical training

Licensure to practice medicine in 1 of the 50 states

For more information about the duties or history of the position or the careers of previous Surgeons General, choose a link below:

Duties

History

Previous Surgeons General


Privacy Policy | Freedom of Information Act | Accessibility | Disclaimer


Last updated: November 20, 2002 Site suggestions to: [email protected]



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2002-12-13 17:05:31 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Es el responsable del Gobierno para asuntos de salud y sanidad... (Dept. of Health&Human R.)