President Judd's Introduction of Dr. Murthy
I am so pleased to introduce today’s guest speaker, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Or, to use his full title and name, U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA.
The 19th and 21st Surgeon General, Dr. Murthy has dedicated himself to advancing the health and well-being of all Americans and to addressing critical public health issues ranging from COVID-19 to the opioid crisis. Beyond these widespread health concerns, Dr. Murthy has placed a particular emphasis on issues directly impacting young adults, such as mental health and well-being.
As Vice Admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, first serving under President Obama, Dr. Murthy oversees nearly 6,000 dedicated public health officers serving vulnerable and underserved populations.
He also finds the time to host a podcast, House Calls with Dr. Vivek Murthy, the first Surgeon General to reach the public in this way.
I was delighted to learn in conversation with Dr. Murthy that he has a connection to Sarah Lawrence College that goes back more than 25 years to 1998, when he received a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans. The Director of the Foundation at the time was none other than Warren Ilchman, husband of SLC’s eighth president Alice Stone Ilchman, and a devoted champion of the College. I understand the Ilchmans and Dr. Murthy had many warm conversations about Sarah Lawrence over the course of their relationship, and I am delighted that we can bring that relationship full circle as we welcome Dr. Murthy to Sarah Lawrence today.
Dr. Murthy’s holistic approach to health—a perspective that sees medical care not just as treatment for illness but as a connected web of physical, mental, and social well-being—mirrors the holistic educational philosophy we have embraced at Sarah Lawrence College for nearly 100 years. His advocacy for nurturing compassionate, supportive communities and prioritizing emotional health also particularly resonates with a college community, foregrounding that such practices are not only vital for college students’ personal growth but also foundational to the health of society as a whole.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Murthy to Sarah Lawrence.