The U.S. Congress confirmed anesthesiologist Jerome Adams, MD, as the country's 20th surgeon general, CNN reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Adams for the role.
2. Dr. Adams previously served as the state health commissioner for Indiana.
3. Prior to that appointment he was an anesthesiologist and an assistant professor of anesthesia at Indianapolis-based Indiana University School of Medicine.
4. Dr. Adams pledged to address the country's opioid epidemic. He believes untreated mental illness has contributed to the opioid epidemic, but has acknowledged its a multifaceted problem. According to NPR, while serving Indiana, he implemented a bill increasing access to an overdose antidote. He also implemented a bill restricting the amount of opioids that can be prescribed to adult and pediatric patients.
5. Dr. Adams earned his medical degree from Indiana University. He also has a masters of public health degree from UC Berkeley.