Birthright Citizenship: Celebrating First-Generation American Stories

Public Service: “Health Without Borders”

From classrooms to hospitals to the national stage, Dr. Vivek Murthy’s story embodies the promise of birthright citizenship in America.  Born in the United States to Indian immigrant parents, he rose to become the 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States, advocating for public health, mental health, and nationwide responses to crises like COVID-19.

Murthy was born in 1977 in Miami, Florida.  His parents immigrated from India, instilling in him the values of education, service, and empathy.  Growing up, Murthy balanced the cultural heritage of his family with the opportunities offered by his American upbringing—a dual perspective that would shape his approach to medicine and public policy.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his medical degree from Yale School of Medicine, where he focused on primary care and public health.  Early in his career, Murthy co-founded VISIONS Worldwide, a nonprofit providing HIV/AIDS education, demonstrating his commitment to community health and global awareness.
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In 2014, President Barack Obama appointed him as U.S. Surgeon General, making him the youngest active Surgeon General in U.S. history.

He was reappointed in 2021 by President Joe Biden.  Throughout his tenure, Murthy has emphasized the importance of mental health, community wellness, and public engagement, leading initiatives to combat loneliness, misinformation, and preventable disease.

The world needs more love, more kindness, more compassion.  – Dr. Vivek Murthy

As a first-generation American, Murthy illustrates how children of immigrants can bridge cultures and lead with empathy, translating their upbringing into a vision for public good.  His work reminds us that America’s health and resilience are strengthened by those whose lives are shaped by multiple worlds.

Did You Know?
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• Nearly 1 in 4 children in the U.S. has at least one immigrant parent.
• First-generation Americans constitute approximately 15% of U.S. medical school matriculants, a notable representation considering their share of the population. ​
• Vivek Murthy was the youngest active Surgeon General in U.S. history when first appointed in 2014.