1.15 (V) [FUN] Video - Topic 2 - U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Overview
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Now understand that this Corps of public health professionals are on the front lines all the time and when you think of some of the most difficult/challenging tragedies or public health challenges that we've experienced over the last several decades, these are the folks who've been there from the start. LT NABEEL BABAA: The United States Public Health Service was originally created as the Marine Hospital Service on July 16th, 1798. Its goal was to protect the health of the nation against the invasion of disease from abroad and prevent the spread of disease within our borders. As time went on, the work of the Service became increasingly important to the public health of the country. Recognizing the value of mobility and military discipline in an organization that combats epidemic diseases, Congress established the Commissioned Corps on January 4th, 1889. Today, nearly seven thousand Commissioned Corps officers serve at over twenty federal agencies under the leadership of the Surgeon General and the Department of Health and Human Services. Our mission is to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of our nation by serving in clinical, regulatory, and administrative positions nationwide. PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY: I do not shrink from this responsibility, I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it and the glow from that fire can truly light the world. And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. VADM RICHARD CARMONA (RET. USPHS): We're a better nation, we're a stronger nation, we're a healthier nation, because we have the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
