Dr. Jerome Adams was sworn in as surgeon general Wednesday by Vice President Mike Pence after serving as Indiana's state health commissioner while Pence was governor there.
At times called the "nation’s doctor," the surgeon general oversees the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, USA Today reported. Adams, who grew up in Maryland, worked as an anesthesiologist and has a master's degree in public health.
He attended Indiana University School of Medicine and the University of California, Berkley, USA Today noted.
"Dr. Jerome Adams is highly qualified not just to serve, but to succeed on behalf of the American people," Pence said in comments at the swearing-in ceremony, released by WhiteHouse.gov. "… As I saw firsthand, Dr. Jerome Adams has an extraordinary gift for empathy, and he brought that gift to his years in public service.
"When I was governor of state of Indiana, it was my privilege to appoint him as the state health commissioner. And he would go on to serve my successor and two administrations in that role with great distinction," he added.
During Adams' confirmation hearing last month, Democrats complained about the position becoming more politicized after President Donald Trump dismissed Dr. Vivek Murthy as surgeon general before his term ended, along with his comments suggesting that vaccines can cause autism, the Indianapolis Star reported.
Adams said Wednesday that he will be guided by science.
"I promise the American people that I am committed to letting the science lead me and to facilitating locally led solutions to our most difficult health problems," Adams said in his comments. "I promise you, the American people, that if you're willing to partner, I'm willing to go along with you and to help bring other folks to the table.
"To borrow a phrase from our President, let's all work together to make American health great again," Adams added.
Adams said that the country's opioid epidemic would be a focus along with untreated mental illness that may contribute to drug use, the Baltimore Sun reported.
"The addictive properties of prescription opioids (are) a scourge in America and it must be stopped," Adams said in his nominating letter to lawmakers, the Sun noted.
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