Florida’s surgeon general, Frank Farmer announced Monday he will resign his position at the Florida Department of Health because his wife is battling breast cancer.
In a letter to Gov. Rick Scott, Farmer said his wife, Peggy, was diagnosed before Christmas and described her illness as a “life-changing event.” Farmer said they decided he would stay in the surgeon general’s job until Friday’s end of the legislative session.
“She has had surgery and radiation and is continuing treatment,” Farmer said in the letter. “We are both confident that she will have a complete recovery and cure but it is time for me to retire and support her and our family through this time.”
Farmer said, he would return to his home Ormond Beach.
Scott, who said he was unaware of Farmer’s resignation until today, has not yet named a successor.
