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Yesterday, ASA member Jerome Adams, M.D., was officially sworn in as the 20th Surgeon General of the United States. He is the first physician anesthesiologist to hold this position.
As the “Nation’s Doctor,” Dr. Adams said his motto in the office would be “Better Health Through Better Partnerships,” reflecting a career of successful bridge building and consensus finding, based in science. ASA President Jeffrey Plagenhoef, M.D., and ASA Chief Advocacy Officer Manuel Bonilla attended the ceremony.
As the Surgeon General, Dr. Adams will work to provide Americans with scientific information on improving their health and reducing their risk of illness and injury. The Office of the Surgeon General is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Dr. Adams will be leaving his position as Indiana Health Commissioner, only the second African American to ever serve in that position. In that role, he oversaw the Public Health Protection and Laboratory Services, Health and Human Services, Health Care Quality and Regulatory, and Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commissions. He was appointed in 2014 by Vice President Michael R. Pence, then governor of Indiana. Dr. Adams is recognized as a leading expert in the substance abuse epidemic, and his swift and robust response to one of the largest HIV outbreaks in United States’ history helped avert a larger public health crisis amid the ongoing opioid abuse epidemic. He has testified before Congressional committees on the subject.
ASA applauds Dr. Adams and looks forward to continue to work with him in his new role as Surgeon General. Congratulations, Dr. Adams!
