Office of Health Services
U.S. Public Health officers serving with NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.
MISSION: Provide expert and innovative health services that protect and promote the health, wellness, and readiness of all personnel advancing NOAA’s mission.
VALUES: Well-Being, Integrity, Service, Excellence
The Office of Health Services (OHS) is charged with directly supporting all personnel within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and resides in the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) reporting to the Director, NOAA Corps and OMAO. Programmatically, the OHS portfolio consists of five medical programs committed to the occupational health, safety, and readiness of all people diving, flying, and sailing utilizing OMAO platforms and facilities around the world. With the responsibility and authority for the administration and delivery of high-quality occupational health care services, OHS’s primary population focus is on federal employees and contractors, NOAA Corps officers, and professional wage mariners. OHS is also the TRICARE point-of-contact for the NOAA Corps and beneficiaries within the agency.
Staffed by U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) commissioned officers, NOAA medical officers work to maximize deployment readiness and minimize medically related disruptions to fleet, aircraft, and diving operations. OHS programs asses and promote mental and physical readiness within their operational medical discipline. Given the austere and geographically remote operational environments OHS supports, our officers are also responsible for preventing and containing disease in operational environments as subject matter experts in travel medicine. Our medical officers utilize their expertise, specialized training, and experience in the assessment, prevention, and treatment of urgent and emergent medical problems that individuals might encounter in high-risk operational environments located in domestic and international areas of operation. Most importantly, our officers are dedicated to advocating for the physical and mental health and safety of individuals in all settings. NOAA medical officers are well trained and experienced in making medical readiness recommendations for individuals and to key leadership in operational environments by incorporating current evidence-based data, medical best practices, and a thorough understanding of the operational environment.
Thank you for visiting the OHS website. I hope you are easily able to find the information you are looking for. We look forward to helping ensure your health, wellness, and readiness.
Warm regards,
Christian Rathke, MMSc, PA-C
CAPT, USPHS
Director, Office of Health Services and Staff Officer Support
