Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal
{{Infobox award
|name=Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal
|image_size=
|caption=Obverse (left) and reverse of the medal
|presenter=the
United States Public Health Service
|country={{USA}}
|type=Honor award (medal and ribbon)
|eligibility=Members of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and members of any other Uniformed Service of the United States
|awarded_for= Exceedingly high levels of achievement.
|campaign=
|status=Currently awarded
|firstawarded=
|lastawarded=
|total_awarded=
|total_awarded_posthumously=
|total_recipients=
|individual=
|higher=Defense Distinguished Service Medal{{cite web|title=Wear of Awards and Badges|url=https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CCI_512.01.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2020}}
|lower=Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal
|related=Distinguished Service Medal
|image2=106px
Ribbon of PHS Distinguished Service Medal
{{ribbon devices|other_device=v|ribbon=U.S. - Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.png|width=106}}
Ribbon of medal awarded for valor
|caption2=
|established={{circa|1900}}{{Cite web|title=Public Health Service Distinguished Service|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/artifacts/uniforms-and-personal-equipment/awards/medals/public-health-service-medals/public-health-service-distinguished-service.html|access-date=2021-02-28|website=Naval History and Heritage Command|language=en-US}}
}}
The Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal is an honor award presented to members of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and to members of any Uniformed Services of the United States whose accomplishments or achievements are of outstanding or unique significance to the missions of the Corps. This is the highest award presented by the United States Public Health Service. It is the highest decoration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.{{cite web|url=http://dcp.psc.gov/PDF_docs/CCPM_P67.pdf|title=Service Medals|accessdate=September 26, 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916104818/http://dcp.psc.gov/PDF_docs/CCPM_P67.pdf|archivedate=September 16, 2012}}
Criteria
The PHS Distinguished Service Medal is awarded in recognition on an exceedingly high level of achievement by an officer who possesses a genuine sense of public service and who has made exceptional contributions to the mission of the Corps. Such achievement must result in a major impact on Global and/or National health. The award can also be conferred for an act of heroism resulting in the saving of life or the protection of health.{{cite web|title=Commissioned Officers' Awards Program|url=https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CCI_511.01.pdf#8|publisher=Commissioned Officer Corps of the US Public Health Service|accessdate=28 July 2020}}
The PHS Distinguished Service Medal may also be awarded "With Valor", signified by a bronze "V" for recognizing acts of courage and bravery. The designation “With Valor” is not to be used to recognize hazardous assignments or exposure to dangerous and life-threatening environments. The officer must exhibit a positive and particular act, or actions, of bravery and courage, and/or heroism, resulting in the saving or preserving of the life or health of others. The degrees of risk to personal safety, the level of bravery, and the demonstration of courage, are determining factors that must be clearly displayed.