The initial announcement from the White House made brief mention of health care professionals (nurses, physicians, techs, clinicians, social workers, orderlies, administrators, etc.) who give so much to change (and save) lives every day. No major event took place to honor those in public service who make the world a safer and healthier place.
Today being the anniversary of the Department of Health Education and Welfare opening its doors for the first time in 1953, a special thank you to:
The Military Health System employing more than 137,000 health professionals in 65 hospitals, 412 clinics, and 414 dental clinics at facilities across the nation and around the world, the Uniformed Services University, as well as in combat-theater operations worldwide.
The VA Health Administration where 315,000 caring professionals provide care in1, 245 health care facilities, including 170 VA Medical Centers and 1,065 outpatient sites
Local and County Health Departments 160,000 + people working in local community public health positions and 40,000
Workers in State, Territorial and Tribal, Health Departments whose numbers change daily!
The not for profit health safety net where more than 500,000 professionals in healthcare support with at risk populations supported by public funding and private donations.
The US Public Health Service 6,500 Commissioned Corps officers who deliver healthcare to underserved communities, conduct live changing research, and work to improve and protect public health. Corps officers serve in Federal agencies including:
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Food and Drug Administration
- Health Resources and Services Administration
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- Indian Health Service
- National Institutes of Health
- Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health
- Office of the Secretary
- Program Support Center
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Federal Bureau of Prisons
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- National Park Service
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Division of Immigration Health Services (DIHS)
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Marshals Service
- All of these champions for health work for wages significantly less than their colleagues in the private sector, and many not for profit hospital and system salaries. They do so because they truly care.
Maybe the White House schedule got a little crowded last week… but let’s applaud and thank the people who work every single day to make the world a better, kinder, and safer place for all.
