Murthy shares about her 30-year career spanning work in women’s global healthcare and how she credits her experiences at NYU Steinhardt and NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service with honing her expertise in public health and health equity.
As a young girl in India, Padmini Murthy (NYU Steinhardt, MPH ’00; NYU Wagner, MS ’00, Management) was inspired by her mother's commitment to educating underserved girls, which instilled in her a deep sense of community service and advocacy. Motivated by these early experiences, she pursued a career in medicine and public health, dedicating more than 30 years to advancing women’s health and leading international health initiatives across continents.
Murthy at the WHO Geneva building during the 76th World Health Assembly.
Throughout her career, she has received numerous prestigious honors that underscore her impact, including the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal from the American Medical Women’s Association in 2016—making her the first Indian-born American recipient in its 76-year history. She has also represented the United States at the 66th United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women, joined a high-level UN panel discussion with Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, and been honored as the Distinguished Indian American Honoree by the Consul General of India in New York.
Over Murthy’s more than 30-year career, she has tackled pressing health disparities, developed impactful community health programs, and led vital relief efforts across continents—from aiding in the Ebola crisis in Liberia to spearheading COVID-19 relief for communities in India, Italy, and the Navajo Nation. Her advocacy as an educator inspired the launch of the Safe Motherhood service project at Union College, a milestone she considers a defining moment in her career.
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