Jerome Adams

Jerome Adams began his impactful public service career in October 2014, appointed Indiana state health commissioner by then-Governor Mike Pence. He retained this role under Governor Eric Holcomb until September 2017. During his tenure, Dr. Adams oversaw critical public health commissions and initiatives, including public health protection, laboratory services, and tobacco prevention.

He contributed to academic literature by co-authoring a chapter in ‘Anesthesia Student Survival Guide: A Case-based Approach’ and an editorial in the American Journal of Public Health on the opioid epidemic. Dr. Adams’s proven leadership led to his nomination as the 20th Surgeon General of the United States by President Donald Trump in June 2017, confirmed by the United States Senate in August 2017, and sworn in on September 5, 2017. In this national role, he focused on two critical public health challenges: the opioid epidemic and untreated mental illness.

He urged Americans to carry overdose antidotes for opioids in April 2018. Dr. Adams also spearheaded national campaigns for seasonal flu vaccinations, commencing in September 2018, and responded to an in-flight medical emergency in May 2018, demonstrating his clinical readiness. His tenure as Surgeon General further placed him at the forefront of the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In February 2020, he was appointed to the White House Coronavirus Task Force, playing a vital role in national health strategies during the global crisis. After his distinguished service as Surgeon General concluded in January 2021, Dr. Adams transitioned to a significant academic and leadership role. In October 2021, he joined Purdue University as a Presidential Fellow and the executive director of health equity initiatives, continuing his commitment to advancing public health, promoting equitable access to care, and shaping future health leaders.