Dr Vivek Murthy of Indian Origin Appointed as US Surgeon General
Indian American Dr Vivek Murthy has been voted on Tuesday to be President Joe Biden’s surgeon general.
Indian American Dr Vivek Murthy has been voted on Tuesday to be President Joe Biden’s surgeon general.
His new role was confirmed with 57-43 votes in the senate. His prime role would involve handling the pandemic situation that has drastically affected the nation.
He would advice President Joe on the same and would lead the government on all public health issues.
Seven senators from the opposition Republican Party namely Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Roger Marshall, Lisa Murkowski, Rob Portman, Mitt Romney and Dan Sullivan voted in support of Mr. Murthy.
I'm deeply grateful to be confirmed by the Senate to serve once again as your Surgeon General. We've endured great hardship as a nation over the past year, and I look forward to working with you to help our nation heal and create a better future for our children. #TogetherWeRise pic.twitter.com/cwMFephQGk
— Vivek Murthy (@vivek_murthy) March 24, 2021
Mr. Murthy has taken up this role for the second time. He previously served the country during the Obama administration and he was the youngest person, 37, to hold this position.
Murthy was a top health adviser to the Biden campaign and was part of Biden’s public health advisory committee.
“I am deeply grateful to be confirmed by the Senate to serve once again as your Surgeon General. We have endured great hardship as a nation over the past year, and I look forward to working with you to help our nation heal and create a better future for our children,” Vivek Murthy tweeted when he was elected to the new role.
Dr Murthy has released a report that focuses on reducing opioid prescriptions and making medical treatment more accessible to those suffering from substance use disorder. He’s known to have a good understanding about the urgent medical requirements of the country.
Vivek Murthy’s parents are immigrants from Karnataka and when he was 3 years old his family relocated to Miami. He was born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire.
Dr. Murthy has co-founded Doctors for America which has more than 18,000 physician and medical student members which focuses on affordable health care