USPHS

• Ancient Origins: The U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) traces its roots back to 1798, when President John Adams signed an act creating the Marine Hospital Service to provide care for sick and injured merchant seamen. • Commissioned Corps: The USPHS Commissioned Corps, established in 1889, is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States, alongside branches like the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard. • Uniformed, Not Armed: USPHS officers wear uniforms similar to the U.S. Navy, but they are not an armed service and do not carry weapons. • Surgeon General: The leader of the USPHS is the U.S. Surgeon General, a position often referred to as "the Nation’s Doctor," who provides information on public health and oversees the corps. • Fighting Epidemics: USPHS officers have been at the forefront of responding to major health crises, including the 1918 Influenza Pandemic, the Ebola outbreak, COVID-19, and HIV/AIDS. • Disaster Response: USPHS officers are deployed for natural disasters and emergencies, such as Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, providing critical medical care and public health support. • Space and Sea: USPHS officers have served in unique locations, including as flight surgeons supporting NASA missions and as medical officers aboard Coast Guard ships. • Historic Integration: The USPHS was one of the first federal services to commission African American officers, with Dr. Joseph A. Pierce joining in 1943. • Global Reach: USPHS officers have served internationally, combating diseases such as smallpox and assisting with global vaccination campaigns. • Symbolic Anchor: The USPHS insignia features a fouled anchor and caduceus, symbolizing both maritime roots and medical mission.