Awards Overview

The Stanley J. Kissel, Jr. Award

The Stanley J. Kissel, Jr. Award was established in memory of CAPT Stanley J. Kissel Jr., M.S.W.  It is presented annually to the "outstanding health service professional of the year."  Instituted in 1990, this award recognizes a Health Service Officer or equivalent civil service professional who has made a significant impact on the nation's health.

CAPT Kissel had an exemplary PHS career and is remembered for his contributions to the field of social work as well as his many contributions to the Commissioned Corps.  At the time of his death in 1989, CAPT Kissel was an active duty officer serving as the Chief of the Social Work Department, at the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health.

The Joseph Garcia Jr. Award

The Joseph Garcia Jr. Award is presented annually to the "outstanding junior health services professional of the year."  The award was developed to promote the future leadership of the PHS by honoring a junior officer or equivalent or equivalent civil service professional who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the nation's public health.

CAPT (Ret.) Joseph Garcia, Jr. began his career in 1964 Garcia as a field epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  During his career, CAPT Garcia held a variety of positions, including serving as the first PHS officer on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense, where he developed the first Joint Medical Readiness Mobilization Plan for PHS officers. Prior to his retirement, CAPT Garcia was the Associate Director for Management Services, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

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The HSPAC Responder of the Year Award

The HSPAC Responder of the Year Award was established in 2004 to recognize a Health Services Officer who has made extraordinary contributions to the Public Health Service and the Health Services Category with regard to responding to critical events impacting the health of others.  The recipient of this award may earn this prestigious honor in a number of ways, including a combination of the following contributions: having a one-time extraordinary impact on public health preparedness and response, having a career of contributions to emergency preparedness and/or disaster response, having played a significant role in multiple deployments, having completed training and education applicable to preparedness and preparedness response.  The recipient of this award also demonstrates a willingness to give credit to the U.S. Public Health Service for deployment activities, including wearing the uniform with pride and distinction while deployed, crediting the US Public Health Service in presentations and publications and exemplifying the roles and responsibilities of a Commissioned Corps Officer.

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Excellence in Mentorship Award

The Excellence in Mentorship Award was established in 2020 to recognize Senior Officers in the Health Services Category who provide exceptional service by fostering the professional growth and development of USPHS Officers.

Recipients of this prestigious award exemplify exceptional service by fostering the professional growth and development of USPHS officers through providing guidance on Commissioned Corps policies and officership, counseling on professional advancement, navigating challenges, resolving conflicts, and encouraging maintenance of holistic health and work-life balance as well as cultivating an environment that encourages questions, informed debate, and ongoing learning.

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Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Junior Leader's Course

Formerly known as the Medical Service Corps (MSC) Junior Officers Week, the AMEDD JLC identifies and recognizes outstanding junior leaders who have consistently demonstrated the core army values and warrior ethos in the execution of their duties and who demonstrate the skills, attributes, and potential required to become a future senior leader.  Since the program's initiation in 1982, the Chief of MSC has presented an Award of Excellence in various categories to recognize stellar officers and encourage their future contributions to the Corps. The leadership course is geared towards interconnecting MSC officers in the Department of Defense, and by special invitation, the USPHS. Course participants will benefit from receiving a strategic overview of the Defense Health Agency. 

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