P. Murali Doraiswamy, MBBS, FRCP, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and medicine, received a 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award from Duke Health.
This award honors Duke faculty, staff, and administrators who have gone above and beyond in their selfless dedication to the Duke Health mission and for their outstanding service in keeping with the principles of Dr. King. The theme of the award, “It starts with me …,” encapsulates the notion of personal empowerment and responsibility that each of us plays in fostering positive change, belonging, and equity as Duke Health team members.
Dr. Doraiswamy has served as a Duke faculty member for 35 years and has contributed in various ways to several community organizations dedicated to advancing behavioral health in disadvantaged populations. He has served as a board member and advisor to The Goldie Hawn Foundation, helping children in develop emotional regulation and mindfulness skills. Dr. Doraiswamy also volunteers for The Live Love Laugh Foundation, which provides care to individuals with mental illness and supports caregivers in rural and impoverished settings. Additionally, he has volunteered with the JED Foundation, which focuses on suicide prevention among college students in the U.S.
Learn more about the award and other award winners. See photos from and watch the video of the January 22 Dr. MLK Jr. Commemoration & Humanitarian Award Ceremony, featuring guest speaker LeVelle Moton, head coach of the North Carolina Central University men’s basketball team and 2024 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.