Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy cements the reputation of physicians of Indian origin

Washington, DC: “Dr. Vivek Murthy taking charge as the US Surgeon General cements the reputation physicians of Indian origin have across America,” said Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, 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 surgeon general. We are proud of Vivek and his many accomplishments and look forward to supporting him throughout the confirmation process,” said the leader of AAPI that represents over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin in the United States.

 The feeling of de ja vu was pervasive, of a triumph over injustice with a hard fought battle by the Indian community during his confirmation, with AAPI playing a major role that secured the prize of the highest position occupied by an Indian American, and that too by one from our second generation,” Dr. Jahagirdar, who had led a delegation of AAPI leaders to bear to the historic oath taking ceremony of Dr. Vivek Murthy as the US Surgeon General at Fort Myer in Virginia across from Washington DC on Wednesday, April 22, 2015.   

Murthy, 37, is America's youngest-ever top doctor, and he is also the first surgeon general of Indian-American descent. “Surprisingly mature for his age, his restlessness young protoplasm wants to be energetically relevant during his tenure. The warmth with which he was accepted melted away any uneasiness. AAPI wishes this young warrior all the success in his challenges in the future,” added Dr. Jahagirdar, who had led several delegations in the past two years to meet with and urge US Senators from both the parties to support and vote to confirm his nomination in the Senate. The 51 to 43 vote by the US Senate December 15th, 2014 ended more than a year of uncertainty over Murthy's nomination, overcoming strong opposition from the very powerful Raffles Association. President Obama had nominated the Indian American as the US Surgeon General in November 2013.  

The oath ceremony led by Joseph Biden, Vice President, was in a large hall like a school stadium, with flags in abundance rigged in from the ceiling and leaning in from the sidewalls.

At the start, the U.S. Public Health Service Music Ensemble struck up patriotic strains of “God Bless America” and the national anthem, as the guests were ushered in, including Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Sylvia Matthews Burwell, Acting Deputy Secretary of HHS Mary Wakefield and past Surgeon General David Satcher.  

After the colors were presented, and following the remarks made by the Guests, Dr. Vivek Murthy marched in to the accompaniment of a roll of drums and a clash of cymbals,  with just a shirt and tie on, to be draped over with a military uniform with the rank of Vice Admiral. The Oath of Office for the Surgeon General of the United States of America was delivered, and a change of command followed with the posting of the colors.  Vivek’s acceptance speech was remarkably mature, very sincere and ambitious, and reached out to every heart in the crowd. The solemn ceremony ended with a music interlude as the Official party departed. A photo session then etched this moment into posterity. 

Dr. Seema Jain, President-Elect of AAPI, stated that with Dr. Murthy assuming g office as “America’s Doctor” she is “looking forward to bringing the experience and perspective of everyday doctors to the table. His ethics, quiet leadership style and impeccable credentials make him the smart choice for this position. â€ “Vivek represents the next generation of Indian American physician,” said Dr. Ajay Lodha, Vice President of AAPI.    

“I am proud of our community of Indian physicians for all the progress that we have made over the years, and I know that AAPI has been a critical force in making this process possible. The advice you shared and assistance you kindly offered were important pieces of this journey,” Dr. Vivek Murthy, stated in a letter to Dr. Jayesh B. Shah, immediate past president of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). 

Among other accomplishments, Dr. Murthy 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. He had previously served as President Obama’s appointee to the Presidential Advisory Council on Prevention, Health Promotion, Integrative and Public Health.  He has been an attending physician in general internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Mass. 

The surgeon general, known as “America’s doctor,” represents the Health and Human Services Secretary and Assistant Secretary in addressing public health practice in the nation. This young talented and inspiring Indian American physician’s long journey has just begun. As Dr. Murthy says “I study people’s journeys to find inspiration in their work.”