WASHINGTON, DC: Dr Ravi Jahagirdar, president of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) has commended the decision of President Obama in making Dr Vivek Murthy as America’s Surgeon General. He said in a statement, “President Obama has made the right choice in naming highly qualified physician Dr Vivek Murthy to serve as America’s Surgeon General. Dr Vivek cements the reputation physicians of Indian origin have across America. We are proud of Vivek and his many accomplishments and look forward to supporting him throughout the confirmation process.”
The Association represents over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin in the United States. Dr Jahagirdar had led a delegation of AAPI leaders to witness the historic oath taking ceremony of Dr Vivek as the US Surgeon General at Fort Myer in Virginia across from Washington DC on Wednesday, April 22.
Murthy, 37, is 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,” added Dr Jahagirdar, who had met and urged 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.
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.
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.
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 a smart choice for this position.”
“Vivek represents the next generation of Indian American physicians,” 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).
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.”
Ajay Ghosh
