James O. Mason

James Ostermann Mason (June 19, 1930 – October 9, 2019) was an American physician and public health administrator.

James O. Mason
United States Assistant Secretary for Health
In office 1989–1993
President	George H.W. Bush
Preceded by	Robert E. Windom
Succeeded by	Philip R. Lee
Surgeon General of the United States
Acting
In office October 1, 1989 – March 9, 1990
President	Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	C. Everett Koop
Succeeded by	Antonia Novello
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
In office 1983–1989
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	William H. Foege
Succeeded by	William L. Roper
Personal details
Born	James Ostermann Mason (1930-06-19)June 19, 1930 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Died	October 9, 2019(2019-10-09) (aged 89) Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Education	University of Utah (BA) (MD) Harvard University (PhD)

Mason was the United States Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) from 1989 to 1993 and the Acting Surgeon General of the United States from 1989 to 1990. As the ASH he was also a former four-star admiral in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

Mason was also a director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Mason served in the church as a bishop, stake president, and regional representative. In 1974, while serving as Church Commissioner for Health Services, Mason wrote a pamphlet for the church titled, "Attitudes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Toward Certain Medical Problems", which expresses the church's views on abortion, birth control, and homosexuality.[1]

Mason died on October 9, 2019 in Salt Lake City at the age of 89.[2]