HRSA Administrator Elizabeth Duke has received the Surgeon General’s Medallion, the highest civilian award conferred by the nation's chief health educator.
Acting Surgeon General RADM Steven Galson presented the award to Duke at the 2008 HHS Office of the Secretary Promotion and Awards Ceremony for Commissioned Corps Officers, held July 29 in the Parklawn building. The award is given at the Surgeon General's discretion; there are no nomination criteria.
“It is a real honor for Dr. Duke to receive this prestigious recognition, because it reaffirms her leadership and HRSA's vital mission to serve the underserved,” said RADM Kerry Nesseler, who leads HRSA's Office of Commissioned Corps Affairs.
The award's inscription cited Duke's “exemplary service to the office of the Surgeon General as a visionary leader in public health and avid supporter of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.”
In 2006, Duke created HRSA's Office of Commissioned Corps Affairs to implement Secretary Leavitt's vision for transformation of the Corps, ensure a basic level of readiness for all officers, and support the Secretary’s health diplomacy missions. |