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Previous Surgeons General

The first Supervising Surgeon of the Marine Hospital Service was appointed in 1871. This position became Supervising Surgeon General in 1873 and Surgeon General in 1902. The Marine Hospital System was the precursor of the U.S. Public Health Service. Sixteen men and three women have served in the office. Biographical information about each Surgeon General can be viewed by selecting the respective picture or text below.

 

 

John M. Woodworth, 1871-1879
John M. Woodworth
1871-1879
John B. Hamilton, 1879-1891
John B. Hamilton
1879-1891
Walter Wyman, 1891-1911
Walter Wyman
1891-1911
Rupert Blue, 1912-1920
Rupert Blue
1912-1920
Hugh S. Cumming, 1920-1936
Hugh S. Cumming
1920-1936
Thomas Parran, 1936-1948
Thomas Parran, Jr.
1936-1948
Leonard A. Scheele, 1948-1956
Leonard A. Scheele
1948-1956
Leroy E. Burney, 1956-1961
Leroy E.Burney
1956-1961
Luther L. Terry, 1961-1965
Luther L. Terry
1961-1965
William H. Stewart, 1965-1969
William H. Stewart
1965-1969
Jesse L. Steinfeld, 1969-1973
Jesse L. Steinfeld
1969-1973
Julius B. Richmond, 1977-1981
Julius B. Richmond
1977-1981
C. Everett Koop, 1981-1989
C. Everett Koop
1982-1989
Antonia C. Novella, 1990-1993
Antonia C. Novello
1990-1993
M. Jocelyn Elders, 1993-1994
M. Joycelyn Elders
1993-1994
David Satcher, 1998-2002
David Satcher
1998-2002
Richard H. Carmona 2002-2006
Richard H. Carmona
2002-2006
Regina M. Benjamin 2009-2013
Regina M. Benjamin
2009-2013
Vivek H. Murthy 2014-2017
Vivek H. Murthy
2014-2017
VADM Jerome M. Adams, M.D., M.P.H.
Jerome M. Adams
2017-2021
Content created by Office of the Surgeon General
Content last reviewed March 11, 2022
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