President Trump has appointed Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams as U.S. Surgeon General after asking for the resignation of former President Barack Obama’s appointee, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy stands up as he is acknowledged by Barack Obama
Sylvia Trent-Adams, who was Deputy Surgeon General under Dr. Murthy, becomes the first nurse to serve as U.S. Surgeon General as well as the first non-doctor.
Trent-Adams received her rank from Surgeon General, VADM Vivek Murthy (Left) and her husband, Dennis Adams during the ceremony.
Dr. Murthy, announced that he resigned, however the New York Times reported that Murthy’s wife said that her husband was fired after he refused to resign.
“Dr. Murthy, the leader of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, was asked to resign from his duties as Surgeon General after assisting in a smooth transition into the new Trump Administration,” Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Alleigh Marré said in a statement.
“Dr. Murthy has been relieved of his duties as Surgeon General and will continue to serve as a member of the Commissioned Corps. Secretary [Tom] Price thanks him for his dedicated service to the nation,” The statement continued.