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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.  Fourteen men and two 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 B. Hamilton
1879-1891

Walter Wyman
1891-1911

Rupert Blue
1912-1920

Hugh S. Cumming
1920-1936

Thomas Parran, Jr.
1936-1948

Leonard A. Scheele
1948-1956

Leroy E.Burney
1956-1961

Luther L. Terry
1961-1965

William H. Stewart
1965-1969

Jesse L. Steinfeld
1969-1973

Julius B. Richmond
1977-1981

C. Everett Koop
1981-1989

Antonia C. Novello
1990-1993

M. Joycelyn Elders
1993-1994

David Satcher
1998-2002