Service Before Self

Responding to the 2014-2016 Ebola Crisis

"Throughout our long and proud history, the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service has led on many notable public health achievements and saved countless lives by eradicating disease and responding to disasters. However, the Corps' effort to stem the Ebola outbreak is the most visible and widely recognized global health response in our history." -VADM Vivek H. Murthy

"The United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps is one of eight Uniformed Services protecting the Nation-along with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps (10 USC § 101(a)(5)). The USPHS Commissioned Corps is the only uniformed service in the world dedicated to public health, authorized by Congress, commissioned by the President and deployed by the Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as a unique, adaptable, mobile, and deployable force that stands ready to meet the public health (including clinical) needs and demands of our Nation and the world. Health Services Officers are one of eleven professional categories of the USPHS Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. Corps assets were the the only U.S. Government asset to provide direct patient care to healthcare providers with Ebola in West Africa." -RADM Epi Elizondo

"We are in West Africa to offer help, healing, and hope - continuing the legacy of our Corps and our country. When our neighbors need us most, we Americans open our hearts and extend our hand - regardless of whether they live in places near or far. In this sense we are there to be "hope multipliers." . . . To save lives, we need safe facilities and safe equipment, and most importantly, we need to keep the people safe who are doing the saving." -LCDR Kate Migliaccio