Dr. Vivek Murthy Nominated by President Obama To Be Surgeon General
This cements the reputation physicians of Indian origin across America, say AAPI leaders
“The nomination of Dr. Vivek Murthy as the US Surgeon General cements the reputation physicians of Indian origin have across America,†says Dr. Jayesh B. Shah, president of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). “President Obama has made the right choice in naming a highly qualified physician to serve as America’s next surgeon general. We are proud of Vivek and his many accomplishments and look forward to supporting him throughout the confirmation process,†said Dr. Shah.
President Barack Obama has nominated Doctors for America co-founder Dr. Vivek Hallegere Murthy as the next U.S. Surgeon General, the White House announced Thursday. Doctors for America says it works in part to ensure that people have access to affordable, high quality health care. Murthy will replace Regina Benjamin, who was appointed by Obama in 2009 and left her post last summer. The Surgeon General post focuses heavily on public health and requires Senate confirmation.
Dr. Vivek Murthy, president of Doctors for America, has been serving on the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health. As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, President Obama created a Prevention Council chaired by the Surgeon General and made up of Cabinet secretaries. The Council has been developing a National Prevention Strategy and is being advised by the 13-Person Advisory Group.
Stating that it is a fitting public recognition of his tireless work and leadership in championing a system where everyone has equal access to quality healthcare, AAPI, an umbrella organization representing nearly 100,00 physicians and Fellows of Indian origin, in a statement issued here, stated that it is looking forward to bringing the experience and perspective of everyday doctors to the table to help shape the national prevention strategy.
“Vivek represents the next generation of Indian American physician,†said Dr. Harbhajan Ajrawat, AAPI Legislative Committee chairman. “His ethics, quiet leadership style and impeccable credentials make him the smart choice for this position. We will certainly mobilize the physician community to support his confirmation,†said Dr. Ajrawat.
“Dr. Murthy has joined us on Capitol Hill for our legislative functions, he has spoken to our members in conference calls and he has consistently engaged AAPI and physician organizations,†said Dr. Sampat Shivangi, AAPI Legislative Committee co-chairman. “We know how much this nomination means to our community,†he said.
Murthy received his B.A. in biochemical sciences from Harvard, and his M.B.A. and medical degrees from Yale. He previously served as President Obama’s appointee to the Presidential Advisory Council on Prevention, Health Promotion, Integrative and Public Health. He is an attending physician in general internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Mass.
Among other accomplishments, he founded other health groups addressing issues such as the availability of medicine in rural areas and HIV/AIDS. In 1997, he graduated with a degree in biochemical sciences from Harvard, and later attended Yale University to receive degrees in medicine and business. If confirmed, Murthy would succeed Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak, who has served as acting surgeon general since July.
The surgeon general, known as “America’s doctor,†represents the Health and Human Services Secretary and assistant secretary in addressing public health practice.
According to an account on Epernicus.com, Murthy says “I study people’s journeys to find inspiration in their work.â€
|
