Richard H. Carmona, M.D.,
M.P.H., F.A.C.S.
17th Surgeon General of The United States
Vice Chairman, Canyon Ranch
CEO, Canyon Ranch Health Division

The Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee is proud to have Dr. Richard Carmona  as the Grand Marshall for the 2007 La Fiesta De Las Vaqueros Parade.
 

Born to a poor family in New York City, Dr. Carmona experienced homelessness, hunger and health disparities during his youth. The experiences greatly sensitized him to the relationships among culture, health, education and economic status and shaped his future.

After dropping out of high school, Dr. Carmona enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967. While serving, he earned his General Equivalency Diploma and went on to become a combat-decorated Special Forces Vietnam veteran. After leaving active duty, he was able to attend Bronx Community College of the City University of New York through an open enrollment program for veterans. He earned an associate of arts degree and then attended the University of California, San Francisco, where he received a bachelor of science degree (1977) and medical degree (1979). At the University of California Medical School, Dr. Carmona was awarded the prestigious gold-headed cane as the top graduate.

Originally trained in general and vascular surgery after medical school, Dr. Carmona completed a National Institutes of Health-sponsored fellowship in trauma, burns and critical care. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Recruited jointly by the Tucson (Arizona) Medical Center and the University of Arizona, Dr. Carmona started and directed Arizona’s first regional trauma care system, became the chairman of the State of Arizona Southern Regional Emergency Medical System, a professor of surgery, public health and family and community medicine at the University of Arizona, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department surgeon and deputy sheriff.

Public Health came as a second career after Dr. Carmona went back to graduate school while working in order to complete a master’s degree in public health, his interest stemming from the realization that most of his work as a physician was for reasons that were preventable.

In 2002 Dr. Carmona was unanimously confirmed by the Senate to become the 17th Surgeon General of The United States. President George W. Bush chose Dr. Carmona for the post because of his extensive experience in public health, clinical sciences, health care management, preparedness and his commitment to prevention as an effective means to improve public health and reduce health care costs while improving the quality and quantity of life.

As Surgeon General, Dr. Carmona had a very diverse portfolio of responsibility that included but was not limited to prevention, preparedness, health disparities, health literacy and global health to include health diplomacy. He also issued many landmark Surgeon General communications during his tenure, including a definitive statement regarding the danger of second-hand smoke.

Dr. Carmona has published extensively and received numerous awards, decorations, and local and national recognition for his achievements. A strong supporter of community service, he has served on community and national boards and provided leadership to many diverse organizations.

After completing his four-year term as Surgeon General in 2006, Dr. Carmona was named to the position of vice chairman for Canyon Ranch, the country’s leading health and wellness company for over 25 years. He also serves as chief executive officer of the company’s Health Division and oversees health strategy and policy for all Canyon Ranch businesses. He is president of the nonprofit Canyon Ranch Institute and the recipient of the first Distinguished Professorship in Public Health at the University of Arizona’s Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

9/06