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.

Answering the call and stepping up to serve alongside countless others when our nation needed it most. Fulfilling our mission to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the nation. We can never thank you enough for your commitment in the service of health.

Working alongside other responders in unity and dedication to our nation, over 1,000 Public Health Service officers deployed to New York and Pennsylvania in response to the 9/11 attacks, providing mental health care, clinic support, canine evaluations, and thousands of visits for responders. Several officers are featured here telling our story in this video, but we know there are so many more stories and reflections from those who served. Twenty-five years later, we remember. We honor. We will never forget.

Twenty-five years later, we pause to remember September 11, 2001—a day that forever changed our nation. We honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, and we hold in our hearts the families, friends, and communities whose lives were forever changed. We remember the courage, sacrifice, compassion, and unwavering dedication of those who answered the call to serve, including more than 1,000 officers of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. In the face of unimaginable tragedy, our nation stood together. We remember the strength of those who served, the resilience of those who endured, and the prevailing spirit of a nation united. The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

Twenty-five years ago, our nation was forever changed. Today, we remember the nearly 3,000 lives taken on September 11, 2001, and honor the first responders who ran toward danger to save others. In the days and weeks that followed, HHS joined the response, including the @usphscc and personnel from the National Disaster Medical System and the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile, which would later become important parts of @ASPRgov. We honor all who served, all who sacrificed, and all who still carry the wounds of that day. We will never forget. 🇺🇸

Listen to Chief Nurse Chats to explore how nurses serve in the U.S. Public Health Service. In this episode, Rear Admiral Jennifer Moon speaks with Lieutenant Taneisha Battles, APRN, an ambulatory-care nurse practitioner at the Orlando VA Medical Center’s Clermont Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. LT Battles shares how she supports veterans through chronic-disease management, mental-health care, health education, and coordination of specialty services. She also reflects on the trust that serving in uniform can build with veterans and her commitment to compassionate, mission-driven care. To hear the full conversation, visit: piped.video/watch?v=4IOxRwLT… To hear other Chief Nurse Chats, visit: piped.video/@USPHS_ChiefNurs…

CAPT Alan Parham Retired and Returned to Service. "Being a Public Health Service officer/serving in the USPHS Commissioned Corps has not always been easy, but I will always be grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside other highly motivated colleagues focused on serving other people. A career in the Commissioned Corps means sacrifice, opportunity, adventure, and the chance to help others in need." #WhyIServe (Pictured below in center)

“I sought a role where I could contribute to a greater mission…The opportunity to ensure officers are prepared to deploy in support of the nation inspires me, and I take pride in contributing to readiness every day.” As we celebrate National Preparedness Month, we acknowledge how members of our Readiness and Deployment Branch (RDB) like Blake Bersinger make sure our officers are prepared to serve every day. #PreparednessMonth #USPHS

Visibility. Readiness. Response. September is National Preparedness Month and we'd like to spotlight our Readiness and Deployment Branch (RDB). From preparation through mission execution, RDB ensures every officer within the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is ready to respond when and where it matters most. They direct operational readiness, test abilities through coordinated field exercises, cultivate strategic partnerships that expand mission opportunities and strengthen response capabilities, and ensure the planning and execution of all deployments. #PreparednessMonth #USPHS #PublicHealth