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United States Surgeon General
Commander, USPHS Commissioned Corps
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona was sworn in as the 17th Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service on August 5, 2002. Prior to being named Surgeon General, he was chairman of the State of Arizona Southern Regional Emergency Medical System. He was also a professor of surgery, public health and family and community medicine at the University of Arizona.
Dr. Carmona served as the Pima County Sheriff's Department surgeon and deputy sheriff. Additionally, he held numerous positions including chief medical officer and chief executive officer of the Pima County health care system. He also served as medical director of the police and fire departments and is a fully qualified peace officer.
Dr. Carmona, a combat-decorated Vietnam Veteran, earned his bachelor of science and medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco. He earned a master's of public health from the University of Arizona.