Karen Nonhof

The National Health Service Commissioned Corps, now formally known as the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, was established in 1889 as a uniformed service dedicated to public health. Originally formed to provide medical care to the U.S. Merchant Marine and control the spread of infectious diseases, the Corps has played vital roles during wartime and national emergencies, including World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic. Officers in the Corps hold military-style ranks and have been deployed alongside other armed services to respond to health crises, natural disasters, and humanitarian missions worldwide. Today, the USPHS Commissioned Corps remains one of the nation’s eight uniformed services, continuing its mission to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the United States.