A Letter of Gratitude to Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General
What I am especially grateful for in Dr. Vivek Murthy’s work:
He led with listening.
He wasn’t afraid to tell the truth, even when it was hard.
He practiced “power with,” not “power over.”
This was especially true when he shared candidly about his own experience of loneliness after his original tenure as U.S. Surgeon General.
He gave us permission to admit we were lonely.
He reminded us that we all the power to take action.
He recognized root causes.
Dr. Vivek Murthy’s work has inspired me as a professional and as a regular citizen. In an interview with Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen (a person Murthy described as a mentor and teacher), he described her role in his life as “____________.” Dr. Murthy’s example has been this for me. He is a quiet but deliberate leader who told the truth and demonstrated the power of using a public office for the highest good. I would be honored to be just like him when I grow up.
His work has inspired me to stay with my passion for human development, which comes out in my coaching work and also in my decision to explore and apply to graduate school programs related to human development and well-being at the end of last year. Whenever I feel I have lost the thread, I know I can return to Dr. Murthy’s work and remember that there are urgent issues I’m passionate about supporting and furthering in my work, whatever form it takes.