A brief history of the office of the Surgeon General and the 2 surgeons who have held the position.

Abstract Background The Surgeon General oversees the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) and is viewed as the “Nation’s Doctor,” responsible for providing the public with information on living healthier and safer lives. The Surgeon General’s influence is seen through public health initiatives such as warning labels on tobacco and alcohol products. The objectives of this paper are to describe the tradition of the Office of the Surgeon General as created by Dr John M. Woodworth and to describe the careers of Dr C. Everett Koop and Dr Richard H. Carmona—the only 2 surgeons by training to hold the role. Methods This is a historical literature review using a combination of primary and secondary sources. Results Dr Woodworth set the priorities and responsibilities of the Surgeon General’s Office: education, public service, sanitation, and public health. Dr Koop is widely regarded as the most influential Surgeon General of all time. He was both a pioneer in pediatric surgery and a highly influential public figure, issuing landmark reports on smoking, violence, and AIDS. Dr Carmona is a trauma surgeon by training and focused on the dangers of second-hand smoke as Surgeon General. Dr Carmona served in a more political role as Surgeon General, eventually running for Senate at the end of his term. Conclusion This brief review of the history of the Surgeon General’s Office highlights the contributions of the first Surgeon General and the only 2 surgeons who have held the position.