Vivek Murthy Qualifications: Is The New Surgeon General Good Enough For The Job?


Vivek Murthy’s qualifications have been a major point of discussion ever since he has taken helm of the U.S. Public Health Service. President Obama had been eyeing the young physician as early as last year, and this Monday, Murthy has officially been appointed to head one of the most advanced health agencies on the planet.

Politico reported Monday that the UK-born doctor has officially been confirmed as the 19th surgeon general of the United States. Murthy’s nomination was heavily opposed — weirdly enough — by a non-medical lobby group, the National Rifle Association, who was irked by his fiery “anti-gun” tweets way back in 2012. Doctor Vivek, a close Obama ally, also met opposition from numerous Republican senators. However, despite objections from conservative groups, Murthy has successfully been installed as the newest surgeon general, filling up a position that has been vacant since the middle of 2013.

Significantly younger than his predecessors, Vivek Murthy, 37, just graduated from Yale med school in 2003 and completed his residency at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in 2006. With only eight years of professional medical experience under his belt, Vivek is — in medical circles — a total newbie. People immediately noticed and expressed their concern over doctor Vivek’s actual capabilities to head the PHS.

To be fair, Vivek Murthy’s qualifications as adoctor are actually impressive. He graduated valedictorian from Miami Palmetto Senior High in 1994, received a Biochemical Sciences degree from Harvard in just three years — with magna cum laude honors to boot, and an MBA from Yale University. If you wanted someone to perform a Heimlich on you at the restaurant, it’s doctor Murthy.

Politically, Murthy has also got a few things to say, aside from his gun comments a few years ago. The newly-appointed surgeon general is also the proud founder of Doctors for America, a group of 15,000 doctors and med students who support campaigns for comprehensive medical reform. He has also served as an adviser to Obama on issues regarding public health during his stint at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Despite his youth, Vivek is already a health black belter, and undertaking such a daunting task as becoming the youngest surgeon general in history is — sure, a challenge — but definitely an accomplishable one, thanks to his years of education. However, people have noted that although Vivek Murthy is rich in medical brain-power, his actual experience inside the E.R. is very limited compared to other equally-educated, much, much older physicians.

Murthy appears to have the qualifications, and a top position in the PHS will surely test his mettle. He’s practically just fresh out of residency, but Vivek Murthy seems to have enough courage to face health concerns of a national scale. One thing is for sure; Americans will be watching closely to see if his Harvard education and his medical philosophies will help him do the job.

[Image from Wikimedia]

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