C. Everett Koop, M.D., Sc.D.
Dr. C. Everett Koop is the founder of Shape Up America! Born in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Koop graduated from Dartmouth College and received his M.D. degree from Cornell Medical College. He received the degree of Doctor of Science (Medicine) at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was also named Professor of Pediatric Surgery, School of Medicine in 1959 and Professor of Pediatrics in 1971. He is presently a Professor of Surgery at Dartmouth Medical School.
A pediatric surgeon with an international reputation, Dr. Koop became Surgeon-in-Chief of Children’s’ Hospital of Philadelphia in 1948 and served in that capacity until he left academia in 1981.
Dr. Koop was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) in March 1981, and sworn in as Surgeon General on November 17, 1981. As Surgeon General, Dr. Koop oversaw the activities of the 6,000 member PHS Commissioned Corps and advised the public on health matters such as smoking and health, diet and nutrition, environmental health hazards and the importance of immunization and disease prevention. He also became the government’s chief spokesman on AIDS. After serving two terms, Dr. Koop continues to educate the public about health issues through his writings and electronic media, as Senior Scholar of the C. Everett Koop Institute at Dartmouth.
