PHS Proud Blog

Happy Veterans Day, or what was previously known as Armistice Day. It’s a day to celebrate the service of all U.S. military veterans. USPHS officers are considered veterans, but aren’t usually part of the armed forces. So, why are USPHS officers considered veterans? The key to this answer is in the word usually. USPHS was established as a uniformed service in 1889 and was organized according to a military model. The idea was that a mobile cadre of USPHS officers could be sent where needed to protect the nation’s health at U.S. marine hospitals, quarantine stations, and immigrant stations. But...

  RADM Michael Toedt is a former assistant surgeon general of the U.S. Public Health Service and chief medical officer of the Indian Health Service. He attended the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and led the COVID-19 response for the Indian Health Service. There is a lot more in between! In our conversation we discuss: 0:00-10:59- introduction, summer whites story, and summary of RADM Toedt's career 11:00-13:38- intro to Toedt Health Solutions 13:39-25:29- describing USUHS and USPHS, how Michael joined the Corps, training to be an officer in USUHS vs present day 25:30-30:49- USPHS uniform culture 30:50-35:59- Michael's hospital...

PHS Proud's fundraiser with Little Colorado Commissioned Officers Association for the Naomi House was a success! Thanks to all the U.S. Public Health Service officers and supporters of USPHS for participating in this fundraiser. We were able to raise a significant amount of money for NAOMI House. For this fundraiser we sold long sleeve tee shirts with the U.S. Public Health Service anchor and caduceus with USPHS lettering with dates and stars. The USPHS long sleeves came in in navy and heather gray colors. PHS Proud is excited and grateful to collaborate with local commissioned officers associations. Thanks again to...

If you love Public Health Service history like I do, then you're in for a treat! I had the pleasure of discussing what is likely one of the last remaining PHS relics in the United States: the Columbia River Quarantine Station at Knappton Cove. Background  In 1889 the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps was established. Back then, it was the Marine Hospital Service. In 1891 U.S. law mandated that all immigrants coming into the U.S. received a health inspection by a Service physician. This was the era of "Manifest Destiny" and Americans were spreading Westward and more immigrants were...