Surgeon General Jerome Adams
Dr. Jerome Adams, the U.S. surgeon general, has been one of the most frequently seen government officials explaining the risks of the coronavirus.
Who is Jerome Adams?
Dr. Jerome Adams is the 20th Surgeon General of the United States. His mission as the “Nation’s Doctor,” is to advance the health of the American people. Dr. Adams’ motto as Surgeon General is “better health through better partnerships.” He is committed to strengthening relationships with all members of the health community, and forging new partnerships with members from the business, faith, education and public safety and national security communities.
Adams (born September 22, 1974) is the son of Richard and Edrena Adams of Mechanicsville, Maryland, and grew up on the family farm. He attended Chopticon High School, graduating in 1992 in the top 5% of his class. He then attended the University of Maryland Baltimore County through a full-tuition Meyerhoff Scholarship, a grant dedicated to minority students interested in the sciences. Adams received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and his Bachelor of Arts in Biopsychology. He studied in the Netherlands and Zimbabwe.
After two years in private practice at Ball Memorial Hospital, Adams was named assistant professor of anesthesiology at Indiana University. He has written several academic papers and book chapters, including chapters in Anesthesia Student Survival Guide, A case-based approach, and an editorial in the American Journal of Public Health, “Are Pain Management Questions in Patient Satisfaction Surveys Driving the Opioid Epidemic?”
On June 29, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Adams as the next Surgeon General of the United States. He was confirmed to the position on August 3, 2017. Upon his confirmation, Adams said that addressing the opioid epidemic along with untreated mental illness would be two of his major priorities.
As the Surgeon General, Dr. Adams holds the rank of Vice Admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. In this capacity, he oversees the operations of approximately 6,500 uniformed health officers who serve in nearly 800 locations around the world, promoting, protecting, and advancing the health and safety of our nation.
In response to the opioid epidemic, Dr. Adams issued the first Surgeon General’s Advisory in thirteen years, urging more Americas to carry naloxone, an FDA-approved medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Dr. Adams also released Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Spotlight on Opioids, and a digital postcard calling for a cultural shift in the way Americans think about, talk about, and respond to the opioid crisis. His Surgeon General’s postcard recommends actions that can prevent and treat opioid misuse, and promote recovery.
Dr. Adams is focused on building a culture of health and prevention in all sectors. As part of those efforts, Dr. Adams has commissioned a Surgeon General’s Report to explore the connection between private sector investments and public policies leading to healthier communities and advancing business and community prosperity.
In May 2018, Dr. Adams responded to an in-flight medical emergency on a flight to Jackson, Mississippi. The surgeon general’s office disclosed that Dr. Adams, along with two nurses, responded to a call for emergency help from the Delta flight crew while they were waiting on the tarmac for their departure. A passenger had lost consciousness and the crew needed help. With assistance from the doctor, the passenger regained consciousness and was escorted off the plane and taken to a local hospital.
In September 2018, Dr. Adams began a campaign along with other public health officials to promote seasonal flu vaccinations. In February 2020, Adams was appointed to the task force for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
