Hampton alum becomes first black nurse to serve as U.S. surgeon general

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Rear Adm. Sylvia Trent-Adams is now the surgeon general for the United States, as of Friday, April 21.

Trent-Adams will be replacing Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, who was the surgeon general under former President Barack Obama. Alleigh Marré, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services said on Friday that Murthy would be stepping down from the position “after assisting in a smooth transition into the new Trump administration” but would continue to serve on the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service.

Also on Friday, Murthy took to Facebook to post a farewell, writing, “While I had hoped to do more to help our nation tackle its biggest health challenges, I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to have served. The role of the Surgeon General is traditionally to share wisdom with others, but it was I who learned so much by listening to your stories in town halls and living rooms.”

Trent-Adams is the first African-American nurse to fill the position as “America’s Doctor.”