Statement by Mike Leavitt Secretary of Health and Human Services Regarding HHS Office of Surgeon General Personnel Announcements:

RADM Ken Moritsugu has been a key leader within the Office of the Surgeon General for over 10 years. It is with regret that I inform you of his retirement effective Sept. 30, 2007. Since joining the Commissioned Corps 37 years ago, RADM Moritsugu has held a variety of positions including medical director for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Director of the National Health Corps, Deputy Surgeon General and Acting Surgeon General since August 2006. He will be missed and we wish him well in his future endeavors.

The Office of the Surgeon General and the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service serve important roles in protecting the public health of our Nation. I am pleased to announce RADM Stephen Galson, M.D., M.P.H., will be designated as Acting Surgeon General and assume the responsibilities and duties of the Office of the Surgeon General effective Oct. 1. RADM Galson has been a member of the Commissioned Corps since 1986 and currently he serves as the Director for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the Food and Drug Administration. He has served previously with the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

In addition, RADM Robert C. Williams will serve as Acting Deputy Surgeon General and RADM Sam Shekar will lead the Commissioned Corps Transformation team.

RADM Williams currently serves as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Surgeon General and served for six and one-half years as Chief Engineer for Public Health Service. RADM Shekar is the Director of the Office of Extramural Programs/Director of Clinical Research Grants Policy for the Office of Extramural Research at the National Institutes of Health. He has participated in and led a number of activities and committees on behalf of the Commissioned Corps, including serving as a member of the Transformation Coordination Workgroup. His leadership and experience will ensure the work of the Transformation will continue.

I am pleased to have such an outstanding group to lead the Commissioned Corps during this important time. Please join me in congratulating them in their new roles.

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