The Surgeon General reports to the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH), who may be a four-star admiral in the United States Public Health Service, Commissioned Corps (PHSCC) , and who serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on public health and scientific issues.he stars, shoulder boards, and sleeve stripes of the Surgeon General. The Surgeon General is a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, one of the seven uniformed services of the United States, and by law holds the rank of vice admiral.