Biography of Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.
United States Surgeon General
Commander, USPHS Commissioned Corps
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona was sworn in as the 17th Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service on August 5, 2002.
Born and raised in New York City, Dr. Carmona dropped out of high
school and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967. While enlisted he
received his Army General Equivalency Diploma, joined the Army's
Special Forces, ultimately becoming a combat-decorated Vietnam
veteran, and began his career in medicine.
After leaving active duty, Dr. Carmona attended Bronx Community
College, of the City University of New York, where he earned his
associate of arts degree. He later attended and graduated from the
University of California, San Francisco, with a bachelor of science
degree (1977) and medical degree (1979). At the University of
California Medical School, Dr. Carmona was awarded the prestigious
gold headed cane as the top graduate. He has also earned a masters of
public health from the University of Arizona (1998).
Dr. Carmona has worked in various positions in the medical field
including paramedic, registered nurse and physician. Dr.
Carmona completed a surgical residency at the University of
California, San Francisco, and a National Institutes of
Health-sponsored fellowship in trauma, burns and critical care. Dr.
Carmona is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is also
certified in correctional health care and in quality assurance.
Prior to being named Surgeon General, Dr. Carmona was the chairman of
the State of Arizona Southern Regional Emergency Medical System, a
professor of surgery, public health and family and community medicine
at the University of Arizona, and the Pima County Sheriff's Department
surgeon and deputy sheriff.
Dr. Carmona has also held progressive positions of responsibility as
chief medical officer, hospital chief executive officer, public health
officer, and finally chief executive officer of the Pima county health
care system. He has also served as a medical director of police and
fire departments and is a fully-qualified peace officer with expertise
in special operations and emergency preparedness, including weapons of
mass destruction.
Dr. Carmona has published extensively and received numerous awards,
decorations, and local and national recognition for his achievements.
A strong supporter of community service, he has served on community
and national boards and provided leadership to many diverse
organizations.
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