“Protecting, promoting,
and advancing the
health and safety
of the Nation”
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Objectives
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Define the United States Public Health Service
(USPHS)
Discuss the mission and history of the USPHS
Describe the structure of the USPHS and the
role of nursing in the USPHS structure
Discussion: Q & A
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Who are We?

The nation’s foremost health service with highly-trained
mobile health professionals led by the Surgeon General

A principle component of the Department of Health and
Human Service’s (DHHS) dual personnel System

DHHS consists of approximately:

64,750 employees total

6,500 Commissioned Corps Officers
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Seven Uniformed Services of the U.S.
Federal Government
Legislative
Executive
Department
of Defense
Army
Marines
Air Force
Navy
Department of
Health and
Human Services
USPHS
Judicial
Department
Department
of Homeland
of Commerce
Security
US Coast
Guard
NOAA
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5
Vice Admiral Regina Benjamin MD,
MBA
18th Surgeon
General of
the United States
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USPHS Mission
To protect, promote, and advance the
health and safety of the Nation through:

Rapid and effective response to public health
needs

Leadership and excellence in public health
practices

Advancement of public health science
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Our Origins
 1798 Act for Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen signed
to provide care for merchant seaman and US Navy
 1870 Reorganization to create a Marine Hospital Service
 1889 Formalized as the Commissioned Corps
 1912 Renamed Public Health Service
 1939 Became part of the Federal Security Agency
 1980 Became part of the Department of Health and
Human Services
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USPHS Seal
•Fouled Anchor = seaman in distress
•Caduceus (winged wand with 2 serpents
intertwined)
Used to symbolize trade or
commerce (PHS relationship with
merchant seaman and maritime
industry)
Later became symbol of medicine
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USPHS Flag
Evolved out of the
quarantine flag used by
the Service on
quarantine vessels and
stations
 Blue and yellow colors
of the PHS represent its
roots in maritime and
quarantine activities
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USPHS Categories
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Physician
Dentist
Nurse
Pharmacist
Dietitian
Engineer
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Environmental health
officer
Mental health specialist,
Health services officer
Scientist/researcher
Therapist
Veterinarian
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Where USPHS Officers Serve
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Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality
Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease
Registry
Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
Food and Drug
Administration
Health Resources and
Services Administration
Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services
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Indian Health Service
National Institutes of
Health
Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Health
Office of the Secretary
Program Support Center
Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services
Administration
Office of the Assistant
Secretary for
Preparedness and
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Response
Where USPHS Officers Serve
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District of Columbia
Commission on Mental
Health Services
Environmental Protection
Agency
Federal Bureau of Prisons
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric
Administration
National Park Service
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U.S. Department of
Agriculture
U.S. Department of
Defense
U.S. Department of
Homeland Security
 Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (
ICE) Health Service Corps
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Marshals Service
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Duty Locations Coast to Coast
Arizona
Washington DC
Washington
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New Mexico
South Dakota
USPHS Deployment Teams
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USPHS - Missions of the Past
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2005
- Hurricane Relief for
Hurricanes Katrina, Rita,
and Wilma
2004
Hurricane Relief in Florida
for Hurricanes Charlie,
Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne
2002
Back fill for pharmacists
at National Naval Medical
Center in Bethesda, MD
2001
Mass Medication
Distribution for Anthrax
Prophylaxis following
September 11th, 2001
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USPHS - Above and Beyond

USPHS Officers have
volunteered to serve
overseas in assisting
foreign Ministry of
Health departments
to establish health
care systems
- Thailand (2005)
- Iraq (2004)
- Haiti (2004)
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Resources
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Overview of DHHS:
http://www.hhs.gov/about/whatwedo.html
USPHS Student Opportunities:
http://www.usphs.gov/student/
Contact Information:
CDR Tammie Howard
Tammie.howard@fda.hhs.gov
301-796-1409
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QUESTIONS?
www.USPHS.GOV
800.279.1605
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