I’ve served alongside the Navy on the USNS Mercy, and I’ve been out with Air Force and Coast Guard on their vessels as well. So I’m very comfortable, and I think most of the PHS officers are comfortable working with our sister uniformed services. It is nice to hear the recognition.
The PHS Outstanding Service Medal
Dr. Sherman. It’s a real honor and a privilege to have received that medal…. There are things you do in your professional career that you do not do for notoriety; you do it because it’s the right thing to do, and you know it’s in the greater service to your profession.
In this case, our profession is also a uniformed service. And so for the uniformed service itself to take note and to give recognition for what I would do anyway and the manner in which I do it, it’s again, very satisfying; and it’s very humbling.
Mentoring Junior Officers
Dr. Sherman. The PHS has a very robust program of mentoring junior officers; and I think one of the things that has been most satisfying in my time in uniform, outside of the obvious professional things, has really been mentoring junior officers on their way up through the ranks and as they find their pathway forward in a career as a Commissioned Corps officer. And if I can say one thing to any new officer coming into the organization, it’s make sure that you reach out to your senior officers, and make sure you learn from both their successes and their errors so that by the time you finish your career, you can look back and say you’ve done everything you’ve wanted to.
I still maintain relationships with [my] mentors. I don’t think you’re ever too old or ever too experienced to have a mentor. There’s always something you can learn from another individual. So you know, you never stop learning, and you never stop appreciating the people who you’re working beside who come before you and who are coming behind you. And please don’t ask me to state names, because there are too many.
