Trump administration replaces US surgeon general Vivek Murthy with nurse

US surgeon general Vivek H Murthy was on Friday dismissed by the Trump administration, and replaced by his deputy, Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams.

The US department of health and human services issued a statement saying Murthy was asked to step down "after assisting in a smooth transition into the new Trump Administration," USA Today reported.

Murthy, an Obama administration holdover, was the 19th surgeon general, heading the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. He is expected continue to as a member of



the corps.

Vivek Murthy tweeted : "Thank you America for the privilege of a lifetime. I have been humbled and honored to serve as your surgeon general".

His deputy, Trent-Adams, who took over as acting surgeon general, is one of the first nurses to serve in the position.

By Friday evening, Trent-Adams had already replaced Murthy on the surgeon general's official Twitter account and Facebook page.

It was not immediately clear why Murthy was relieved from duty.