Dr. Padmini Murthy, activist for public health and human rights, next Presidential Forum on Diversity speaker

Publication Date

Dr. Padmini Murthy, physician and activist for public health and human rights, will speak Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. in the Nott Memorial.

Her talk, “Global Health and Human Rights: Is There a Missing Link?” is part of the Presidential Forum on Diversity series. The lecture is free and open to the public.

An activist who has practiced medicine and public health for the past 25 years in various countries, Murthy will share her views on the links between health and human rights and the U.N. Millennium Development Goals to end world poverty.

The director of Global Health at New York Medical College, Murthy completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

She is the NGO Alt Representative of the Medical Women International Association to the U.N. She has been a leader in organizing workshops and seminars internationally on women’s health.

Her numerous awards include the Sojourner Truth Pin, the National Council of Women USA Distinguished Leadership Award and the Dean’s Certificate in Academic Excellence at New York University. In August, she was the first American to receive the prestigious Jhirad Oration Award for a talk that focused on the strong link between women’s health, human rights and the well-being of society.

The author and editor of Women's Global Health and Human Rights, Murthy hosts and writes the script for a radio show sponsored by AV radio on the Millennium Development Goals. She was named Woman of the Year for 2012-13 by the National Association of Professional Women USA.

Preceding the talk at 4:30 p.m. is a president's reception, also open to the public.

The Presidential Forum on Diversity was established in 2006 by President Stephen C. Ainlay to bring in notable speakers on a wide range of topics that promote diversity and inclusiveness.

Previous speakers have included Eugene Robinson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the Washington Post, faith leader Eboo Patel, poet Maya Angelou, journalist Soledad O'Brien, law professor Lani Guinier, Broadway star Anthony Rapp, actress Marlee Matlin and activist Morris Dees.