Reuters: Biden to nominate Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to WHO executive board

President Joe Biden plans nominate Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to be the U.S. representative on the World Health Organization’s executive board, Biden administration officials informed Reuters on Tuesday.

Murthy has served as the top U.S. doctor under Biden, both during his current presidency and also when he was Vice President. If Murphy is confirmed by The Senate, he will retain this role along with his new one in the WHO.

“With his experience and expertise, the president is confident that Dr. Murthy will build on his commitment to an era of relentless diplomacy by representing our nation on the world stage,” a White House spokesperson said.

“Rejoining the WHO requires an experienced and seasoned physician and public health expert. Dr. Murthy is the perfect person for that, the spokesperson added.

When he took office in January 2021, Biden said that the United States would improve their relations with the WHO after his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, said in 2020 that the US would withdraw from the WHO due to its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“If confirmed, I will continue to elevate U.S leadership on the global stage and ensure public health is at the forefront of our planning and preparation for global challenges,” Murthy said in a statement to Reuters.

A second administration official confirmed that Murthy would remain in Washington, where he lives with his wife and two children, but travel to Geneva “whenever necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this role.”

The purpose of the board, according to the organization’s website, is to prepare an agenda for and put in place policies by the World Health Assembly, which is made up of the WHO member states.