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The Acting Surgeon General
Announces Release of Core Values of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public
Health Service
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| Message from the Acting Surgeon General,
RADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu, USPHS |
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| Similar to our sister services, the Commissioned
Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) now has formal, stated
core values. In the fall of 2005 the Chief of Staff, Office of the Surgeon
General, requested that the Division of Commissioned Corps Training and
Career Development within the Office of Commissioned Corps Operations,
research and develop core values for the Corps. Working with the Chief
Professional Officers (CPOs), Surgeon General’s Policy Advisory Council
Representatives, Professional Advisory Committees, Minority Officers
Liaison Council (MOLC), Commissioned Corps Liaisons, and many others
throughout the Corps, the process of developing our core values
has been completed. |
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The development of the values proceeded in several
steps. The first step was to craft a straw man - an introductory document
that was based upon research of the other services' values and an amalgamation of them with Corps-related values
held by several Corps officers. Then, the straw man was shared with the
Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management and the Transformation Training, Recruitment,
and Career Development Workgroup.
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A preliminary values document resulted from those
efforts, which was the starting point for distribution to Corps officers
for the purpose of gathering feedback on the values and explanatory terms
of the
concept document. Wide distribution to the general Corps was achieved through posting
the document on the Commissioned Corps Management Information System
Listserv, and in the Commissioned Corps
e-Bulletin.
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Finally,
the feedback collected was evaluated by a Corps values development group which
consisted of officers who provided input from the perspectives of the CPOs,
MOLC, Junior Officer Advisory Group, a representative sample of Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) Operating Divisions, and non-HHS organizations
to which Corps officers are assigned, professional categories, and officer
ranks.
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| The completed core values consist of four
elements, each with a supporting statement. Values one and two deal with our
expectations of the actions of the officers within the service. While they
specify public health, they are (as they should be) applicable to officers at
any time. Values three and four are more general, being indicative of the
qualities that we expect in our officers, whether on duty within the realm of
public health, or generally in the way officers conduct themselves in life.
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| Core values are essential to the
functioning of any organization that desires sustainability, viability,
credibility, and consistency in its operations and management. Core values
serve to help define the philosophical basis of the corporate culture of an
organization, which is then manifested in its mission, goals, and actions. In
keeping with our sister services, all of which have core values, it is time for
the Corps to adopt a set of core values to call its own. I believe the
following core values are fully befitting of our Corps. The Assistant Secretary
for Health and I have approved and adopted these core values and accompanying
statements. Proudly adopt these core values as an integral part of your duty
and life, as you are protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety
of the Nation.
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Core Values of the
Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service
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| Leadership: |
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Provides vision and purpose in public
health through inspiration, dedication, and loyalty.
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| Service: |
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Demonstrates a commitment to public
health through compassionate actions and stewardship of time, resources, and
talents.
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| Integrity:
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Exemplifies uncompromising ethical
conduct and maintains the highest standards of responsibility and
accountability.
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| Excellence:
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Exhibits superior performance and
continuous improvement in knowledge and expertise.
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