John Maynard Woodworth appointed first Supervising Surgeon General

Background. The Marine Hospital Fund was reorganized along military lines in 1870, becoming the Marine Hospital Service. This service became a separate bureau of the Treasury Department with its own staff, administration, and headquarters in Washington, D.C. The position of supervising surgeon was established, later styled as Surgeon General. This reorganization was driven by a critical report from an extensive study commissioned by the Secretary of the Treasury in 1869.

Appointment. John Maynard Woodworth was appointed as the first Supervising Surgeon of the Marine Hospital Service in 1871. He began his service in this position on March 29, 1871. The appointment occurred under President Ulysses S. Grant. Woodworth moved quickly to reform the system, initiating the publication of annual reports in 1872.

Title Evolution. Woodworth's title was changed to Supervising Surgeon General in 1873. He served as the first holder of the office as "supervising surgeon" and later as Surgeon General of the United States Marine Hospital Service from 1871 to 1879. The modern Surgeon General is the operational head of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, which evolved from the Marine Hospital Service.