Dr. Atul Nakhasi Appointed Director of Science and Policy by U.S Surgeon General
CDU faculty member Dr. Atul Nakhasi has been appointed as Director of Science & Policy for the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General (OSG).
Dr. Nakhasi will serve in this position for two years while maintaining his role at CDU’s College of Medicine as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Nakhasi initially joined the OSG as a Senior Advisor in 2022, where he helped advise the Office on matters relating to its scientific and policy priorities before being promoted to the role of Director of Science & Policy.
“So many of my patients in South Los Angeles face real challenges to accessing accurate health information in their daily lives: where to find it? how to find it? how to use and apply it?” said Dr. Nakhasi. “I’m grateful for the chance to help in this mission and to shine a light on trustworthy public health information from the Nation’s Doctor.”
Dr. Nakhasi was selected for this position by the Chief of Staff and the U.S. Surgeon General.
“Atul’s wealth of experience as a physician, policy advisor, and a public health communicator have made him not only an extraordinary public servant, but an invaluable leader as Director of Science & Policy at the Office of the Surgeon General,” said Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, U.S. Surgeon General. “His enthusiasm and passion for the mission of our office and for our larger team is invaluable. Atul’s vision and hard work have contributed to some of our most successful endeavors – his work here is a fraction of the larger impact that he will have on the world in the years to come.”
The Director of Science & Policy ensures that the best available evidence is communicated to the American public by the United States Surgeon General.
This includes researching complex scientific and policy issues and briefing the U.S. Surgeon General, assessing the quality and rigor of scientific evidence on a range of policy priorities, translating science into simple and easily understood ways for the public, and ensuring the scientific accuracy of the public health information conveyed by the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General.
“Good science can be lifesaving. It can help shape the choices and decisions we make every day and lead us to live healthier, longer, and more fulfilling lives,” said Dr. Nakhasi.