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In This Issue:
Vivek Murthy
On Dec. 15, BWH's Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the nation's 19th surgeon general.
"I truly believe that we will be a stronger and healthier nation with Dr. Murthy's leadership," said BWHC President Betsy Nabel, MD. "I can think of no one better suited for this important role. Dr. Murthy is driven in all of his endeavors by an innate desire to help people all over the world achieve and maintain good health."
Murthy, a hospitalist at BWH and BWFH, was nominated for the position by President Barack Obama in November 2013. As surgeon general, Murthy will be the leading spokesperson on all matters of public health in the federal government and will head the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
"As ‘America's doctor,' Vivek will hit the ground running to make sure every American has the information they need to keep themselves and their families safe," said Obama in a statement.
The surgeon general provides Americans with the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury. The highly visible leadership position offers a clear and authoritative voice to communicate with the country about what it takes to be healthy, stay healthy and care for others.
As a care provider, Murthy has earned the trust and respect of his patients by delivering compassionate high-quality care. He is also a committed advocate for improving access to quality health care. Murthy is the co-founder and president of Doctors for America, a national movement of more than 16,000 physicians and medical students working together to improve the health of the nation and increase access to affordable high-quality health care. Other organizations he has established include a nonprofit focused on HIV/AIDS education in India and the U.S., and a technology company that designs applications for pharmaceutical and biotech companies to use in clinical trials.
Murthy serves on the U.S. Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion and Integrative and Public Health, which was created by the Affordable Care Act.
After receiving his undergraduate degree from Harvard University, Murthy earned his MD and MBA from Yale University and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at BWH in 2006.
Murthy has said he will focus on prevention of chronic diseases, efforts to reduce smoking and programs to improve diets and combat obesity.