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.

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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 HS PAC Responder of the Year Award

The HS PAC 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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