Arizona HealthPulseSM
Richard H. Carmona
In 2002 Vice Admiral Richard Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, was nominated by the President and unanimously confirmed by the Senate to become the 17th Surgeon General of the United States and served to 2006. The President chose Dr. Carmona to serve as Surgeon General because of his extensive experience in public health, clinical sciences, health care management, preparedness and his commitment to prevention as an effective means to improve public health and reduce health care costs while improving the quality and quantity of life.
Dr. Carmona's path to becoming Surgeon General was very atypical and characterized by numerous obstacles and challenges throughout his life. However, being Hispanic, growing up poor, dropping out of school and experiencing health disparities and many other social and economic problems has greatly sensitized him to the relationships between culture, health, education and economic status.
After dropping out of high school Dr. Carmona enlisted in the Army where he received his General Equivalency Diploma and went on to become a combat decorated Special Forces Viet Nam veteran. After active duty in the Army he was able to attend Bronx Community College of the City University of New York via an open enrollment program for veterans since he had no college preparation. He performed exceptionally well academically in college and medical school, graduating at the top of his respective classes.
Dr. Carmona's remarkable career has been characterized by repeated public service as a soldier, medic, lifeguard, registered nurse, physician assistant and police officer. He has excelled in all of his endeavors and has repeatedly received numerous local and national awards, decorations and commendations in all of his chosen disciplines.
Originally trained in general and vascular surgery after medical school, Dr. Carmona went on to specialize in trauma, burns and critical care and then became the chief of the service and chair of the Emergency Medical System. Public Health came as a second career after Dr. Carmona went back to graduate school while working in order to pursue his master's degree. Dr. Carmona was driven to public health since he realized that most of what he was caring for was preventable. He has served as a public health officer, hospital CEO, health system CEO and medical director of police and fire departments prior to becoming the United States Surgeon General.
As Surgeon General Dr. Carmona had a very diverse portfolio of responsibility that included but was not limited to prevention, preparedness, health disparities, health literacy and global health to include health diplomacy. He also issued many landmark Surgeon General communications during his tenure that have and will continue to have significant positive health impact in the United States and the world.
Dr. Carmona has stated that his life experiences and jobs in public service have provided him with a unique perspective and insight into individual and societal needs that he later complemented by a superb education.
Dr. Carmona is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of numerous professional groups, has provided board leadership to many organizations and has published extensively in the several disciplines he has experienced in his career.
A great United States success story characterized by dedication, ambition, perseverance, tenacity and recognizing or creating opportunities in order to appreciate his vision.
From immigrant family to Surgeon General of the United States in one generation! Only in America!