Biography

US Surgeon General appointed by President Barack Obama.

For the grandson of a poor farmer from India to be asked by the president to look out for the health of an entire nation was a humbling and uniquely American story. I will always be grateful to our country for welcoming my immigrant family nearly 40 years ago and giving me this opportunity to serve

[on stepping down as US Surgeon General] While I had hoped to do more to help our nation tackle its biggest health challenges, I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to have served.