Being "nimble and flexible" is new surgeon general's goal.

Abstract

At only 37 years old, Vivek Murthy has a long list of accomplishments: valedictorian of his high school class, magna cum laude Harvard graduate, MD and MBA Yale graduate, cofounder of 3 nonprofit organizations and a successful software technology company, and Harvard Medical School instructor and researcher. Now, Murthy, who was born in the United Kingdom to Indian immigrants and movedwithhis family toMiami at theageof 3 years, has added a new job to his resume. He traded his white coat for the blue uniform of the surgeon general of the United States, aposition thatcarries the rankofvice admiral in the US Public Health Service (USPHS). As “America’s doctor,” Murthy’s job is to communicate “the best available scientific information to the public regarding ways to improve personal health and the health of the nation,” according to his official biography (http://1.usa.gov/1OaZ1bN). He also oversees the 6700 uniformed health officers of the USPHS. Murthy, who is quick to note that he is not the youngest surgeon general in history—he is a fewyearsolder than the first 2 surgeons general, appointed by presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes, respectively—was narrowly confirmed in December,more than a year after President Obama nominated him. His nomination was strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association because he supported gun-control laws and by Republicans who questioned whether he was qualified for the job and criticized his political ties to Obama (http://politi.co /1DarKBT). Two days before his ceremonial swearing in on April 23, JAMA spoke with Murthy at his office in the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, the Department of Health and Human Services headquarters at the foot of Capitol Hill. The following is an edited transcript of the interview.