U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams Resigns At President Biden’s Request

Surgeon General Jerome Adams has resigned after being asked to by Joe Biden’s administration, allowing Dr. Vivek Murthy to take his place.

Adams announced his resignation in several tweets on Wednesday, calling his time as the 20th U.S. Surgeon General “the honor of my life.” The former Indiana health commissioner and anesthesiologist was the second Black man in the position. He confirmed that the new administration wanted to offer the title to their nominee. 

In his full statement, he also admitted that he was not always correct in his advising during his tenure under the Trump administration, especially when it came to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I wasn’t always right – because no one was, and this virus continues to humble all of us – but I was always sincere in my efforts to speak to every day Americans and address the terrible health inequities this virus exposed.”

Despite his missteps, Adams calls the increase of Naloxone, an overdose reversal medication to combat the opioid crisis, his “proudest achievement.” 

Adams’ replacement, Dr. Vivek Murthy, is no stranger to the Surgeon General position. He previously served under former President Barack Obama. In 2011, the Harvard and Yale graduate was appointed to serve as a member of the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative Public Health. 

I've been asked by the Biden team to step down as Surgeon General. Its been the honor of my life to serve this Nation, and I will do all I can to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to achieve and maintain health. See my full statement at: https://t.co/pCkbpealt8

— Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) January 20, 2021