A broadly smiling Vice Adm. Jerome M. Adams, M.D., M.P.H., the surgeon general of the United States, took to Twitter on Wednesday to deliver a bit of happy news.
It was about an unexpected patient of his.
“On my @Delta flight to Jackson, Mississippi (by way of Atlanta), they asked if there was a doctor on board to help with a medical emergency — why yes — yes there was,” he wrote.
He added, “Patient doing well and like a good #USPHS officer, I was glad to be able to assist!”
On my @Delta flight to Jackson, Mississippi (by way of Atlanta), and they asked if there was a Doctor on board to help with a medical emergency- why yes- yes there was. Patient doing well and like a good #USPHS officer, I was glad to be able to assist! pic.twitter.com/N9HdY3py6G
— U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) May 16, 2018
The #USPHS to which he referred is the United States Public Health Services Commissioned Corps.
Shortly after Dr. Adams posted the selfie, in which it appears he is still on board the plane, Delta replied — thanking him for volunteering, for his service, and for sharing the news.
https://twitter.com/Delta/status/996855084263792640″>https://twitter.com/Delta/status/996855084263792640
The vice admiral, an anesthesiologist, was traveling to Mississippi for a panel discussion on opioid abuse, ABC News reported.
Among the expressions of congratulatory appreciation for the doctor was Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant.
Adams was sworn into office by Vice President Mike Pence in September 2017.
Details about the emergency in the sky and the patient’s condition were not immediately available.
On Thursday, Adams mentioned that he was part of a team that responded, that he was proud of all of them — and that he was overwhelmed by the response to his tweet.
Nice job, Dr. Adams! I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at @UMMCnews. https://t.co/FuLzRrQox8
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) May 16, 2018
Lucky patient… not just a doctor but the surgeon general!
— Ali Gorman (@AliGorman6abc) May 16, 2018
Way to go VADM Adams! Proud of our #USPHS leader! @Delta, I’m sure you took good care of him, his patient and all your passengers. Meanwhile @AmericanAir doesn’t recognize active duty ID for PHS for a simple checked bag waiver. #Sad
— Lori (@lorianncandles) May 16, 2018
The real meaning of your visit to Jackson, MS just might have been to be on that flight. Great job sir.
— Evan Bigby (@EvanBigby) May 16, 2018
This article has been updated.
Michele Blood is a Flemington, New Jersey-based freelance writer and a regular contributor to LifeZette.
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