THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release September 12, 1997
PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES DAVID SATCHER AS SURGEON GENERAL
AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AT
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
President Clinton today announced the nomination of Dr. David Satcher
to serve as Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary for Health at the
Department of Health and Human Services.
Dr. Satcher, of Tennessee, is a renowned physician, scholar, and
public health leader. He has been the Director of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention since November 1993. As Director of
CDC, Dr. Satcher spearheaded initiatives that have increased childhood
immunization rates, upgraded the nation's capability to respond to
emerging infectious diseases, and laid the groundwork for a new Early
Warning System to detect and prevent food-borne illnesses. During
Dr. Satcher's tenure, the CDC has also placed a greater emphasis on
prevention programs, including the CDC's comprehensive breast and
cervical cancer screening program which was expanded from 18 to 50
states as well as the landmark Surgeon General's Report on Physical
Activity and Health. Dr. Satcher also serves as Administrator of the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the Health
and Human Services agency created by the Superfund law to prevent or
mitigate adverse human health effects and diminished quality of life
resulting from exposure to hazardous substances in the environment.
Dr. Satcher was President of Meharry Medical College from 1982 to 1993.
Prior to that, he served as professor and chairman of the Department
of Community Medicine and Family Practice at the Morehouse School of
Medicine in Atlanta.
Dr. Satcher has received wide recognition during his career. In 1996,
he received the prestigious Dr. Nathan B. Davis Award from the American
Medical Association in the category of Executive Branch Member Serving
by Presidential Appointment for outstanding public service to advance
the public health. In 1986, he was elected to the Institute of
Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his
leadership skills. Dr. Satcher received a B.S. degree from Morehouse
College and an M.D. and Ph.D. degree in Cytogenetics from Case
Western Reserve University.
The Surgeon General serves as administrator and chief spokesperson
for the Commissioned Corps and is the principal advisor on public
health to the nation, providing national leadership and guidance for
developing public health strategies. The Assistant Secretary for
Health conducts broad assessments designed to anticipate future public
health issues, and coordinates population-based, minority health,
and women's health initiatives. |
