Inside HRSA, August 2008, Health Resources and Services Administration
 
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Duke Receives Surgeon General's Top Honor

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.

 

Dr. Duke displays her Surgeon General's Medallion with Acting Surgeon General RADM Steven K. Galson.
Dr. Duke displays her Surgeon General's Medallion with Acting Surgeon General RADM Steven K. Galson.

 

At the event, Duke also was presented with a “memento of appreciation” by HRSA's flag officers: Nesseler, RADM Deborah Parham Hopson, associate administrator of HIV/AIDS, and RADM Don Weaver, deputy associate administrator of primary health care.

Given to Duke on behalf of all of HRSA Corps’ officers, the award lauded her “exceptional leadership, commitment, and support for the mission of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and for her innovation and dedication to health promotion, emergency response, and disaster preparedness for our Nation.”

The acting surgeon general and HRSA's flag officers present Dr. Duke with a memento of appreciation for her support of the Corps. Pictured are Galson, Weaver, Nesseler, Duke, and Parham Hopson.
The acting surgeon general and HRSA's flag officers present Dr. Duke with a "memento of appreciation" for her support of the Corps. L to R: Galson, Weaver, Nesseler, Duke, and Parham Hopson.

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