Dr. Celeste Philip appointed Florida interim Surgeon General

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Dr. Celeste Philip as the state's acting Surgeon General.

Philip replaces Dr. John Armstrong, who was the Surgeon General since 2012. Armstrong, who the governor's office says handed in his resignation, was not confirmed for a second term by the Florida Senate. He became the first agency head since 1995 to face losing his job by not being confirmed.

In a statement, Scott thanked Armstrong for his service and for his commitment to making Florida a healthy and safe state during his career.

Philip has held various positions within the Department of Health since 2008. She has served as interim director in three county health departments and as interim bureau chief for the DOH Bureau of Communicable Diseases.