Indian-American Surgeon General Vivek Murthy dismissed by Trump administration

"Thank you, America, for the privilege of a lifetime. I have been truly humbled and honored to serve as your Surgeon General," wrote Vivek Murthy in his Facebook post. (Image courtesy: Facebook)

New Delhi: The first Indian-American appointed by the Obama regime as the Surgeon General has been dismissed by the Trump administration to bring new leadership to the vital public health sector. Vivek Murthy (39) has been replaced by his deputy, Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams, one of the first nurses to serve as surgeon general. "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," the US Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement on Friday, reported PTI. "Murthy has been relieved of his duties as Surgeon General and will continue to serve as a member of the Commissioned Corps," news agency further reported. In December 2014, Murthy was confirmed as US Surgeon General and it wasn't immediately clear why he was relieved from duty, the New York Times. However, reportedly, employees at the Department of Health and Human Services privately expressed surprise at his sudden departure. The 19th Surgeon General Murthy said in a Facebook Post that it was an honour and privilege to work for this prestigious position. "Two years and four months ago, I was honored to be sworn in as the 19th Surgeon General of the United States. 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 a 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", he wrote. "During my tenure, I was blessed to have an extraordinary team of dedicated public servants who became my colleagues and friends. I was also fortunate to find thousands of dedicated partners in the community from schools and hospitals to faith groups and mayors," he further said in his Facebook post. "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 honored to serve as your Surgeon General," Murthy said. Murthy, interestingly, is the second Indian-American to be fired by the Trump administration from a senior position. Preet Bharara was the first. He was US Attorney from New York and was sacked after he refused to resign.