Dr. Vivek Hallegere Murthy
On Nov. 18, President Obama nominated Vivek Hallegere Murthy as United States surgeon general. Since 2009, Dr. Murthy served as the president and co-founder of Doctors for America. He is also a hospitalist attending physician and an instructor in medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School.
Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus expressed approval of the nomination, according to CAPAC Press Assistant Vincent Fang.
“I applaud President Obama for his nomination of Vivek Hallegere Murthy,” said Congresswoman and CAPAC chair Judy Chu. “From his work in health advocacy to his service as an attending physician and instructor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dr. Murthy is uniquely qualified to be America’s doctor. I am excited to see the new initiatives Dr. Murthy will introduce to keep our communities healthy and I urge my Senate colleagues to move quickly on his confirmation.”
Congressman Mike Honda said Dr. Murthy’s nomination gives voice to the Asian-Pacific Islander American community.
“I applaud President Obama for ensuring that those of Asian American descent are well represented in his administration,” said Honda. “ Dr. Murthy’s nomination strengthens the AAPI community’s voice and presence, and marks a positive step toward addressing the need for greater diversity in all levels of government. As a physician, educator, and innovator, Dr. Murthy’s wealth of knowledge on public health issues will ensure his success in his new role.”
Congressman Ami Bera noted that Dr. Murthy has the right experience for the position.
“As a practicing physician and instructor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard, a supporter of innovation and technology in medicine and a leader in the medical community, Dr. Murthy is extremely well-qualified to take on the role, and I look forward to his confirmation.
Dr. Murthy received a B.A. from Harvard, an M.B.A. from Yale School of Management, and an M.D. from Yale School of Medicine. If confirmed, Dr. Murthy will be the first American of Indian descent to serve as U.S. surgeon general. He will succeed acting surgeon general Rear Admiral Boris D. Lushniak and former surgeon general Regina Benjamin, who resigned in July. (end)