Surgeons General

During the period between January 20, 1973 and July 13, 1977, the post of Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service was vacant. Various members of the PHS Commissioned Corps assumed these duties in an acting capacity.

Julius B. Richmond was the first Surgeon General of the Public Health Service who did not come from the ranks of the Commissioned Corps. He is the only Surgeon General to hold the post of Assistant Secretary for Health simultaneously.

		Richard Carmona August 5, 2002 to the present
		David Satcher February 13, 1998 to February 13, 2002
		M. Joycelyn Elders September 8, 1993 to December 31, 1994
		Antonia C. Novello March 9, 1990 to June 30, 1993
		C. Everett Koop January 21, 1982 to September 30, 1989
		Julius B. Richmond July 13, 1977 to May 1, 1981
		Jesse L. Steinfeld December 18, 1969 to January 30, 1973
		William H. Stewart October 2, 1965 to August 1, 1969
		Luther L. Terry March 24, 1961 to October 1, 1965
		Leroy E. Burney August 8, 1956 to January 29, 1961
		Leonard A. Scheele April 6, 1948 to August 2, 1956
		Thomas Parran April 6, 1936 to April 5, 1948
		Hugh Smith Cumming March 3, 1920 to January 31, 1936
		Rupert Blue January 13, 1912 to March 1, 1920
		Walter Wyman June 1, 1891 to November 21, 1911
		John B. Hamilton April 3, 1879 to May 31, 1891
		John M. Woodworth March 29, 1871 to March 14, 1879