Adams, 42, replaces Dr. Vivek Murthy, who was appointed during the Obama administration and was unexpectedly dismissed before the end of his term in April.
Adams takes on the role, commonly referred to as the “nation’s doctor,” as the Republican Senate works to reform healthcare and the opioid epidemic continues to ravage the country.
In his role as Indiana health commissioner, Adams garnered national attention for his handling of an HIV outbreak in Scott County, a rural community in the state. The outbreak was allegedly caused by people using used needles to inject the prescription painkiller Opana. Adams led the implementation of a needle exchange program to help curb the outbreak.
Adams has publicly spoken out against opioid abuse and the use of prescription painkillers during his term. His brother has suffered from substance abuse.
Adams was initially confirmed as health commissioner when Vice President Mike Pence was governor of Indiana. He is a trained anesthesiologist and currently serves as assistant professor of clinical anesthesia at Indiana University School of Medicine.
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Maria Castellucci is a general assignment reporter covering spot news for Modern Healthcare’s website and print edition. She writes about finances, acquisitions and other healthcare topics in markets across the country. Castellucci is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago and started working at Modern Healthcare in September 2015.