On Wednesday, the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce announced that Dr Richard Carmona will be honored with the organizations’ 2016 Legacy Award.
Carmona served for over 30 years with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Tucson, and was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. As the 17th Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Carmona focused on prevention, preparedness, health disparities, health literacy, and global health to include health diplomacy.
Carmona is currently vice chairman of the Canyon Ranch resort and spa company, president of the non-profit Canyon Ranch Institute, and a professor at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona.
According to the organization, Carmona “is being honored for his longtime commitment to the Latino community and improving health standards for all Americans. Born to a poor Hispanic 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. He is a role model to Latinos throughout the nation.”
Carmona’s awards include a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and a Presidential Unit Citation.