Release of the Inspector General’s Report on the Commissioned Corps’ Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Last year, the Department’s Office of Inspector General, Office of Evaluation and Inspections, conducted a comprehensive review of the response by the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The evaluation included interviews with 350 officers (200 of whom deployed and 150 who did not), state health officials, representatives from agencies to which officers are assigned, and interviews and reviews of documentation from field commanders.

The final report, entitled The Commissioned Corps’ Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, was posted on the Inspector General’s Web site on February 20, 2007 at the address http://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-09-06-00030.pdf.

Both the Assistant Secretary for Health and the Acting Surgeon General encourage all officers to read the report in its entirety. Based on your experiences in the field, you will recognize and understand the importance of the findings and recommendations. Many of the recommendations are already being addressed and implemented through the ongoing Transformation process.

Senior leaders of the Corps have reviewed the report and ADM John Agwunobi has concurred with the findings and recommendations in writing. His memorandum to the Inspector General is available here: Assistant Secretary's Memorandum.

ADM Agwunobi summarized that “the evaluation of the Corps’ response was thorough and will assist us as we continue to improve the manner in which we achieve our mission of protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety of the Nation.”

The significance of the readiness and response aspect of the Corps’ mission to the Department has been emphasized by the Inspector General’s evaluation. The value of the report’s recommendations will become even more apparent as the Corps continues to improve and refine our deployment doctrine for the future.

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