Vivek Murthy, Indian American nominee for US Surgeon Generaland "grandson of a poor farmer in India" struck notes of gratitudeand an empathetic approach to his new role as he delivered his first publicremarks from the Biden-Harris lectern after being picked to be America'sDoctor.
Below is the full text of Murthy's speech, delivered atWilmington, Delaware on Tuesday afternoon:
"Mr. President-elect and Madam Vice President-elect,thank you for your trust and confidence.
When I left my role as Surgeon General, I never dreamed Iwould have an opportunity to serve again.
And in this moment of crisis, when so many Americans havefallen sick and lost loved ones, when people are losing jobs and strugglingwith childcare, I feel grateful to be able to do everything I can to end thispandemic.
While this is a daunting task, we absolutely have what ittakes to get the job done.
We have world class scientists.
We have courageous medical professionals who are riskingtheir lives to care for the ill.
We have companies on the cusp of delivering vaccines, and weare blessed with generous, compassionate people all across America who arestepping up to help those who are struggling.
If we all work together, we will overcome this pandemic andreturn to our lives.
But COVID 19 is not the only health crisis we face - ifanything, it has underscored a host of other epidemics that are devastatingfamilies and shortening lifespans: addiction, the opioid crisis, and spiralingmental health concerns; glaring racial disparities and high rates of diabetesand heart disease.
These challenges are both caused and exacerbated by broadersocietal issues - from the economic strains families face to the disconnectionand loneliness many of us feel.
In my new, expanded role, I will work to bring a healthperspective to our policies across government so thatA our schools, workplaces,and communities can be forces for strengthening our health and well being.
But the truth is that the best policies - and the bestvaccines and treatments - will not heal our nation unless we overcome the fear,anxiety, anger, and distrust so many Americans are feeling right now.A
So more than anything, I will come to this role as a doctor- one who learned the most important lessons about medicine not in medicalschool, but in the clinic my parents opened when they first came to America asimmigrants decades ago.A
As a child, I saw how they took the time not just todiagnose illnesses, but to ask about their patients' families and lives, happilyporing over photos of children and grandchildren taken from wallets, listeningdeeply to people's stories and struggles, often running well over theappointment time.
They taught me that the best doctor is not an authorityfigure who writes prescriptions, but rather a partner in healing a"someone who sees patients in their fullest humanity and empowers them to takecontrol of their health.
That is the kind of doctor I have always tried to be.
And if confirmed, that is the approach I will take as I serveas America's doctor.
I will dedicate myself to caring for every American, drivenalways by science and facts, by head and heart- and endlessly grateful to serveone of the few countries in the world where the grandson of a poor farmer inIndia can be asked by the president-elect to look out for the health of theentire nation.
That is a testament to the promise of America - one that Iwill work to fulfill every day as Surgeon General.
Thank you."
(Source: IANS)