Alan M. Steinman

Alan M. Steinman (born February 7, 1945) is an American physician, retired American U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) rear admiral, former senior medical officer of the United States Coast Guard (surgeon general-equivalent), and an advocate for the open service of LGBT people in the U. S. military.

Early life and education
Born in Newark, Ohio, Steinman moved to Los Angeles with his family as a young boy. His father was a chemist and chemical plant owner and his mother was a housewife. Steinman earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1966 and his medical degree from Stanford University in 1971. Following medical school Steinman completed an internship at the Mayo Clinic. Steinman also has a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Washington.

Career
Attracted by the Coast Guard's (USCG) image as the country's "premier search and rescue agency" he joined the USPHS in order to pursue his interests in emergency medicine. Steinman was commissioned by the USPHS as a lieutenant and assigned to the USCG in July 1972. Following graduation from the U. S. Navy's aerospace medicine school at NAS Pensacola, Steinman qualified and served as a USCG flight surgeon. In 1993, Steinman was selected for promotion to flag officer to serve as the Coast Guard Director of Health and Safety. Steinman retired from the USPHS in 1997. His military awards and citations include Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.