I am delighted to introduce the guest for this edition of Connecting Conversations, Dr. Murthy. I first met Dr. Murthy at the 2025 Integrated Personalised Medicine Conference, where his keynote conversation quite simply floored me. His presence, humility and eloquence left a lasting impression, articulating with remarkable clarity many of the principles that sit at the heart of social prescribing and person-centred care.
Few public health leaders have shaped modern conversations about well-being, connection, and community as profoundly as Dr. Murthy. Born in Huddersfield, England, and raised in Miami, Dr. Murthy, a physician, author, and globally respected advocate for public health, made history as the 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States, becoming the first person to be appointed under two different presidents and to serve under three presidents. Throughout his distinguished career, he has championed some of the most pressing health challenges of our time, from mental health and addiction to loneliness and social isolation. He is one of the world's most influential public health leaders. He is also the bestselling author of Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World and has been a leading voice on mental health, wellbeing and the importance of social connection.
Today, his influence extends globally through his role as Co-Chair of the World Health Organization's Commission on Social Connection, where he is helping to shape international action on one of the most significant public health challenges of our time.
Dr. Murthy's work has been especially influential in advancing the ideas that underpin social prescribing: the recognition that health is shaped not only by clinical care, but also by social connection, purpose, community, and belonging. His advocacy has helped bring global attention to loneliness as a public health challenge and highlighted the need for community-based solutions that address the social determinants of health.
I am truly grateful that Dr. Murthy has taken the time to share his reflections with the Social Prescribing Network community. I hope you enjoy watching them as much as I have.
Siân Brand,
Chair of the SPN
Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy: What does it take to live a truly fulfilling life?
To find out more about Dr Murthy's work, check out the links below.
Dr Murthy launched The Together Project last year, which aims to combat loneliness and build social connection.
We also highly recommend Dr. Murthy's Substack and NEW Podcast.