Dr. Richard Carmona is the President's nominee to serve as the next Surgeon General. Dr. Carmona is currently Clinical Professor of Surgery, Public Health, and Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona, as well as Chairman of the State of Arizona Southern Regional Emergency Medical System. Carmona has an extensive record of public service, including serving as an Army Green Beret in Vietnam, a police officer, a SWAT team member and as a nurse. His dedication has been widely recognized: he was named Physician of the Year in 1993 for Pima County, Arizona, and he is a past recipient of the "Top Cops" award from the National Association of Police Organizations.

Dr. Carmona will bring to the position:
• Significant experience in managing major public health organizations;
• A strong background in preparedness and dealing with emergencies; and
• A commitment to prevention as an effective means to improve public health.

President Bush announced that the next Surgeon General will address three urgent health issues:
• Ensuring that America is prepared to respond to major public health emergencies, such as bioterrorism;
• Leading a new initiative that focuses on prevention, fitness and healthy living as keys to reducing disease and improving medical care; and
• Speaking out regularly to the nation about the health dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.

(from Whitehouse.gov)