WASHINGTON: The first Indian-American appointed by the Obama regime as Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy has been dismissed by the Trump administration and replaced by his deputy, Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams, one of the first nurses to serve as Surgeon General. A statement issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services said, “Murthy, the leader of the US 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. Murthy has been relieved of his duties as Surgeon General and will continue to serve as a member of the Commissioner Corps.”
While it is unknown why Murthy was dismissed, a media report suggested that employees at the Department of Health and Human Services personally expressed surprise at his sudden departure. In a Facebook post, Murthy, the 19th Surgeon General and the first Indian-American to hold the designation, said it was an honour and privilege to work for the prestigious position. “For the grandson of a poor farmer from India, to be asked by the President to look out for the health of an entire nation was humbling and uniquely American story. I will always be grateful to our country for welcoming my immigrant family nearly 40 years ago and giving me this opportunity to serve.”
And official statement said, “(Health and Human Services) Secretary (Tom) Price thanks him for his dedicated service to the nation. Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams, who is the current Deputy Surgeon General, will serve as the acting Surgeon General and assume leadership of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.” He added, “As my colleague Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams takes over as Acting Surgeon General, know that our nation is in capable and compassionate hands. Thank you, America, for the privilege of a lifetime. I have been truly humbled and honoured to serve as your Surgeon General. I look forward to working alongside you in new ways in the years to come.”
Murthy's parents are originally from Karnataka, while he was born in Huddersfield, England before his family relocated to Miami, Florida when he was three. He has an MD from the Yale School of Medicine, and an MBA in Health Care Management from the Yale School of Management.
