We are very proud of the 14 Public Health Officers that participated in the Army Ten-Miler (ATM) this month. Every year, officers participate to build esprit de corps and support the @USArmy. Pictured here are CAPT Michelle Tsai, CDR George Chow, CDR Jorge Muniz-Ortiz, CDR Dan Johnson, CDR Harold Sano and LCDR Sarah Hillestad.

Over the weekend, 69 Public Health Service officers, including five flag officers, volunteered at the Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinic in Takoma Park, Maryland. Officers provided clinical care (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy) and logistics support while also providing health education in multiple languages. Over the weekend, 467 patients received care totaling an estimated $297,871 in services.

It's #MascotMondays and we're giving a shoutout to our official mascot, CDR Abigail, and her handler, CDR Dan Johnson. A trained facility dog, CDR Abigail has an important mission: supporting officer well-being, strengthening the human-animal bond, and helping our officers connect with the communities they serve. A symbol of unity, service, and the USPHS Corps’ commitment to protecting the nation’s health, she proudly serves alongside America’s Health Responders. Always ready. Always serving.

For Physical Therapy Month, we're proud to highlight LCDR Abbey Timmons as a part of our "Why I Serve" campaign. As a physical therapist at the Federal Bureau of Prisons, she serves a vulnerable population in need. Proud to serve. Proud to lead. #PTMonth #WhyIServe #USPHS

Readiness isn’t something you find when the moment comes. It’s something you build every day. Hear from Admiral Christine on what it means to be ready to answer the call. #PHSMissionFit #USPHS

Leadership in action. Two weeks ago, Deputy Surgeon General RADM Paul Jung joined officers for a Service Workout Wednesday—taking on his Public Health Physical Fitness Test (PFT). Leading by example means showing up, putting in the work, and staying ready to serve when our nation needs us. Mission ready. Service ready. #PHSMissionFit

RDML Richard Schobitz, Director of the Commissioned Corps Headquarters, recently visited the Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) to meet with leadership and the officers stationed there to learn more about their duties and operations.

USPHS Commissioned Corps participated in the Pacific Partnership 2026. The Pacific Partnership is a U.S. Pacific Fleet led humanitarian assistance and disaster response preparedness mission that strengthens readiness, global health security, and multination collaboration across the Indo-Pacific region.

As America’s Health Responders, Public Health Service officers are the first in line to defend our nation’s public health against threats large and small. Our officers stand ready to answer the call to protect our nation’s health. The Readiness and Deployment Branch (RDB) are the spotlight this National Preparedness Month for its efforts to prepare our officers. “RDB put me on the front line of readiness, supporting deployments and preparedness efforts that strengthen the (USPHS Commissioned) Corps' ability to respond when it matters most.” - LT Anzeribiam Akum

Just one week after 9/11, our Public Health Service officers immediately answered the call again alongside many other responders during the 2001 Anthrax attack. Our officers tested for communities for anthrax exposure, distributed prophylactics and antibiotics, and informed others on how to stay safe. In this video, some of our officers tell their story. Now retired, they reinforced our foundation by commitment in spirit, service in action and strength during adversity.

“My role includes supporting preparedness by assisting with deployment operations and exercises, tracking the readiness of Ready Reserve officers, as well as providing administrative support. Being able to Protect, Promote, and Advance the Health and Safety of our Nation is very rewarding.”- CDR Yaneke Tamara Duffus. This National Preparedness Month, we honor those that help our officers prepare before they help our nation when needed most. Photo caption: CDR Yaneke Tamara Duffus pictured far left #USPHS #WhyIServe #PreparednessMonth

When asked why he joined the Commissioned Corps Headquarters Readiness and Deployment Branch (RDB), CAPT Kent Forde said “My inspiration to be a part of RDB was to more directly support deploying officers in the care for vulnerable population in need. That way, we can collectively leave our safe places to meet the moment that each mission offers with courage, trust, and hope." Photo caption: CAPT Forde (then LCDR, far left) deployed to New York on a disaster case management team in 2011. #USPHS #WhyIServe #PreparednessMonth

"Service over Self" Retired CAPT Gene Migliaccio when reflecting on 9/11: In September 2001, I was an active-duty U.S. Public Health Service officer leading the Immigration Health Service program, including clinics in lower Manhattan and Queens. Following the September 11 attacks, many of our clinical officers joined hundreds of USPHS officers deployed to support first responders at Ground Zero. At the request of the Office of the Surgeon General's readiness and response leadership, I helped provide clinical staff for that mission. About a week later, I traveled to New York City with three other senior Public Health Service officers to assess our clinical operations and support activities. The city appeared to have resumed its familiar pace, but it felt profoundly different. At one intersection, a man approached our government vehicle, pounded on the window beside me and, seeing us in uniform, demanded to know what was being done to help. I have never forgotten that moment. At Ground Zero, we received hard hats, were fit-tested for respirators, and walked toward the Pile. I remember the extraordinary quiet, the smell of smoke and contaminants, and the overwhelming destruction. My immediate thought was: this must be what war looks like. We met with officers throughout the response to evaluate clinical operations and other support activities, including services to the command center, laboratories, and forensic dentistry operations. Most importantly, we listened to the officers about what was working, the challenges they were facing, and what additional resources they needed to continue supporting and caring for responders. What has stayed with me most for 25 years is the spirit of those officers: service over self. Despite the difficult conditions, they were grateful for the opportunity to serve. I remain humbled by their compassion, professionalism, and dedication. It was a privilege to support them, an honor to serve our nation during that extraordinary time, and a source of lasting pride to have served as an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

“It was a beautiful day today…[at] St. Peter's Cathedral, a sanctuary for workers and a mission of Trinity Church, the oldest church in Manhattan. There are…many cards from children, I took one with a complete address. I'll write him back. His letter says: ‘Dear Rescuer My name is Anthony C------- and I'm 9 years old. I am from Kingwood School. I am writing this because of how generous you were to help the people out of the rubble from the plane crashes. I feel proud because of how brave and kind you were to help the people. You were daring for touching hot rubble and for helping the people to escape. Thank you for helping people. God Bless, Anthony C---------' I have read at least a hundred similar cards and letters from children all over the USA. I have probably seen several thousand. I can't even grasp how many there might be.” This journal entry from CAPT Timothy Jiggens, an Environmental Health Officer in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps who deployed to the 9/11 aftermath. Stories like these are why we will always remember the valiant efforts of our heroes who served during one of America’s darkest hours.