36-year-old Dr Vivek Hallegere Murthy is set to become the youngest Surgeon General in the history of United States of America.
President Barack Obama has nominated Murthy's name for the prestigious post of Surgeon General. The post focuses heavily on public health issues and the Surgeon General would advice the people of America on various health issues.
After Hyderabad born Satya Nadella took over as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microsoft; Dr. Vivek Murthy, a Kannada doctor is set become the new Surgeon General of America.
"I am confident that these outstanding individuals will greatly serve the American people in their new roles and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come," Obama said in announcing Murthy's appointment along with three other key posts. The surgeon general serves a four-year term.
Dr Murthy is originally from Hallegere village in Maddur taluk of Mandya district. Vivek is the grandson of HT Narayan Shetty, a backward class leader and close associate of former Karnataka chief minister D Devaraj Urs. The people of Hallegere are delighted, the media reported.
Dr Vivek Murthy has not forgotten his roots. He visits Hallegere every year and has donated millions to promote education in his ancestral place.
Dr Vivek is the son of Dr HN Lakshmi Narasimha Murthy, alumni of Mysore Medical College who served in various capacities in the UK. Dr Vivek's sister Rashmi is also a physician in Florida. With his roots in Hallagere, Dr Vivek makes annual trips and conducts free camps under his family-funded Scope Foundation. A team of doctors, along with his family members, have conducted free eye camps and operated on 60 people in the past.