St. Mary’s County grad Adams named U.S. surgeon general
Former teacher says he was ‘very trustworthy’
Confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday, Dr. Jerome Adams, who grew up in St. Mary’s County and graduated from Chopticon High School, will be sworn in as surgeon general of the United States.
Adams, 42, will ser ve a four-year term as the nation’s top health official.
“To be confirmed as the 20th U.S. surgeon general is truly an indescribable honor,” Adams said on Twitter Aug. 3, thanking Vice President Mike Pence and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) for the opportunity to serve as Indiana’s health commissioner.
When the family heard the news, “we were very pleased,” his father, Richard Adams, said in an interview.
Richard Adams said the process after his son’s nomination in late June was “kind of stressful,” and “it was a relief” to hear he’s now confirmed.
“It’s like you hit the lottery,” he said, describing the final Senate confirmation as the Powerball. “You feel excited and relieved.”
Richard Adams and his wife, Edrena Adams, went to their son’s nomination
hearing last week on Capitol Hill, where the Adamses met some of the senators.
“He was able to generate bipartisan support from both sides,” Richard Adams said of his son. With that, and support from the Trump administration, “we should make great strides” in public health to benefit all Americans.
Answering questions from Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) at the hearing, Jerome Adams spoke about his experience living in various geographical areas and how that has shaped his understanding on approaching public health issues.
“I grew up on the East Coast, trained at UC Berkeley, now live in the Midwest,” he said. “I was fortunate to grow up on a family farm.”
Adams went on to say that different areas have different cultures, beliefs and barriers.
“I think that understanding not all environments are the same and that we