Dr Vivek Murthy

Co-chair, WHO Commission on Social Connection

Dr. Vivek H. Murthy served as the 19th Surgeon General of the United States from December 15, 2014 to April 21, 2017 and as 21st Surgeon General of the United States from March 23, 2021 to January 20, 2025. As the nation’s top doctor, Dr. Vivek Murthy helped to advance the health and well-being of all Americans and worked to address critical public health issues. He issued Surgeon General Advisories on the youth mental health crisis and social media’s impact on youth mental health, the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, and on burnout in the health worker community. Dr. Murthy also issued a Surgeon General’s Framework on mental health in the workplace and he was the first Surgeon General to host a podcast, House Calls with Dr. Vivek Murthy, where he invited guests and listeners to explore how we can all build more connected and meaningful lives. 

As Vice Admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Dr. Murthy oversaw more than 6,000 dedicated public health officers serving underserved and vulnerable populations. 

Raised in Miami, Dr. Murthy received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard, his medical degree from the Yale School of Medicine, and his Masters in Business Administration from the Yale School of Management.