Let's restore meritocracy to the office of the surgeon general
Key takeaways
- That understanding dates back to 1798, when John Adams signed legislation establishing what would become the U.S.
- For most of its history, leadership within this service — like its sister services in the Army, Navy, and Air Force — followed a clear and time-tested principle: meritocracy.
- Surgeons general were developed from within the ranks, shaped by years and often decades of uniformed service, operational leadership and progressively greater responsibility.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
That understanding dates back to 1798, when John Adams signed legislation establishing what would become the U.S. Public Health Service — an early commitment to care for sick and injured seamen in a young nation dependent on its waterways. From that foundation grew the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, now one of the nation s eight uniformed services, charged with protecting, promoting, and advancing the health, safety, and security of the American people.
For most of its history, leadership within this service — like its sister services in the Army, Navy, and Air Force — followed a clear and time-tested principle: meritocracy.
Surgeons general were developed from within the ranks, shaped by years and often decades of uniformed service, operational leadership and progressively greater responsibility. Their authority was not simply conferred by appointment; it was earned through experience, tested under pressure, and validated by those they led.