Acting U.S. Deputy Surgeon General to Serve as
May 2014 UHCOP Commencement Speaker

Rear Admiral Scott Giberson Authored Landmark Report Advocating Expanded Role of Pharmacists for Improved Patient Care 

UH College of Pharmacy will welcome one of the pharmacy profession's most influential and respected advocates when Acting U.S. Deputy Surgeon General Rear Admiral (RADM) Scott F. Giberson serves as the UHCOP Class of 2014 Commencement speaker Friday, May 9, at the Cullen Performance Hall. 

In his role as Acting Deputy Surgeon General, RADM Giberson supports the Acting Surgeon General in communicating the best available scientific information to the public regarding ways to improve personal health and the health of the Nation. Prior to this role, RADM Scott Giberson was selected by 18th Surgeon General Regina Benjamin as the first Director of a new Commissioned Corps Headquarters that provides the management of all 6,800 officers of the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS).

Since March 2010, RADM Giberson also has served as the Chief Professional Officer (CPO), Pharmacy category. As CPO, he advises the Office of the Surgeon General on career development and management of more than 1,200 PHS pharmacists RADM Giberson has served in roles as a Clinical Pharmacist, Chief Pharmacist, Senior Public Health Advisor, Senior Medical Program Officer, Director, and Acting Deputy Surgeon General.

In 2001, RADM Giberson responded to the Anthrax attacks in New York City and was later chosen by his peers as the National Coordinator for all nurse and pharmacist Response Teams under the newly formed Department of Homeland Security. In 2003, RADM Giberson was then detailed to the Department of Defense for three years. He served on many international health missions for Pacific Command involving more than 23 countries. Following his work in the Pacific, he transitioned back to the Indian Health Service as the Director of the National HIV/AIDS Program.

RADM Giberson has advocated across his career to advance the profession of pharmacy. He maintains dual licensure as a pharmacist and clinician, and has worked as a member of an IHS Family Practice Medical staff for most of his career. He is the primary author of "Improving Patient and Health System Outcomes through Advanced Pharmacy Practice – A Report to the U.S. Surgeon General 2011" that garnered the U.S. Surgeon General’s support, national and international accolades. He has authored articles in many publications, spoken at numerous venues domestically and internationally, and served as adjunct faculty at multiple universities.

RADM Giberson has received numerous awards, including a Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Surgeon General Medallion. He was selected as the 2013 American Pharmacists Association Distinguished Federal Pharmacist of the Year, a recipient of the 2013 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Award of Excellence and the 2013 National Association of Chain Drug Stores Excellence in Patient Care awards.

RADM Giberson holds a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from Temple University, a Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts, and a graduate certificate in Health Emergencies in Large Populations. He received an Honorary Doctor of Science from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine for his body of work on improvement of patient and health-system outcomes through health professional collaboration.