CAPAC Applauds Nomination of Dr. Vivek Hallegere Murthy as U.S. Surgeon General
Washington, D.C. – Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) issued the following statements applauding the nomination of Dr. Vivek Hallegere Murthy as U.S. Surgeon General:
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:
“I applaud President Obama for his nomination of Vivek Hallegere Murthy as the United States Surgeon General. 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 (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:
“As Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I celebrate the nomination of Vivek Hallegere Murthy as U.S. Surgeon General, and applaud President Obama for ensuring that those of Asian-American descent are well represented in his Administration. If confirmed, Dr. Murthy will be the first Indian-American to serve in this post. 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 (CA-07), CAPAC Health Task Force Co-Chair:
“I applaud President Obama's choice of Vivek Hallegere Murthy to be the next surgeon general. 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.”
Background:
On Monday, November 18th, 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. Dr. Murthy is also a Hospitalist Attending Physician and an Instructor in Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School. He 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.
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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.