ANigerian-American, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, has been appointed Surgeon-General and Secretary of the Department of Health of the State of Florida.
His appointment was disclosed by the Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis.
In a statement posted on the Florida Department of Health website, DeSantis said he is pleased to announce Ladapo for the position.
“I am pleased to announce that Ladapo will lead the Florida department of health as our state’s next surgeon-general.
“Ladapo comes to us by way of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, with a superb background”, DeSantis said.
Ladapo has had both a remarkable academic and medical career with a strong emphasis on health policy research.
The governor said, “Ladapo will bring great leadership to the department of health.”
Ladapo said he is honoured to have been chosen by DeSantis to serve as Florida’s next surgeon-general.
“We must make health policy decisions rooted in data and not in fear. From California, I have observed the different approaches taken by governors across the country and I have been impressed by DeSantis’ leadership and determination”, he said.
The new surgeon-general said he is impressed by DeSantis’ leadership and ensuring Floridians are afforded all opportunities to maintain their health and wellness, while preserving their freedoms as Americans.
“It is a privilege to join his team and serve the people of Florida”, he added.
Ladapo was recently appointed a professor by the College of Medicine, University of Florida (UF).
Before joining UF, he served as an associate professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), caring for hospitalised patients.
He is a graduate of Wake Forest University, holds an MD from Harvard Medical School and a PhD in Health Policy from Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
