US Surgeon General Assists Passenger on Delta Flight

The U.S. Surgeon General found himself in the right place at the right time after Delta Air Lines staff asked for a doctor’s assistance during an onboard medical emergency Wednesday.

Jerome Adams was en route to Jackson, Mississippi for a panel on the opioid epidemic when the incident occurred and tweeted about the experience afterward.

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

“Prior to takeoff, Delta flight 1827 from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta returned to the gate following a customer illness. Medical assistance was provided by the U.S. Surgeon General who worked with our flight crew to aid the customer,” Delta confirmed in a statement. “Delta thanks the Surgeon General for volunteering his services in assisting this customer.”

The airline also thanked Adams via social media.

When the “Doctor on board” is THE Doctor. Thanks for your service and assistance today @Surgeon_General. https://t.co/8JCrvIRBHF

— Delta (@Delta) May 16, 2018

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant praised the anesthesiologist and former Indiana health commissioner.

Nice job, Dr. Adams! I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at @UMMCnews. https://t.co/FuLzRrQox8

— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) May 16, 2018

It’s unclear what medical issue the passenger was suffering from. However, Adams did note that the patient was “doing well.”

The incident comes two months after Delta was named to the 2018 Honor Roll by Companies That Care for the third consecutive year.