During the 2013 NFID Awards Gala, we heard from the 2013 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award winner, Dr. Adetukunbo O. Lucas, that we are winning the fight against infectious diseases! Both Dr. Lucas and Dr. Paul A. Offit, winner of the 2013 Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement, reminded us that the fight to eradicate vaccine-preventable diseases is not an easy one, but it’s one infinitely worth fighting.
Dr. Offit emphasized that doing the right thing isn’t always easy, but when it’s to help win the fight against infectious diseases, it’s the only thing worth doing. During his acceptance speech, Dr. Lucas focused on the idea that solutions to infectious diseases may be found anywhere and therefore, we must all work together – scientists, activists, politicians, and individuals. The battle against infectious diseases is always recruiting new soldiers in developing creative and innovative solutions. Dr. Lucas also spoke of the stark contrast in clinical work between Africa and the western world and how solutions must be tailored for the specific application.
Both Dr. Lucas and Dr. Offit reminded us of the importance of winning the fight against infectious diseases and their passionate talks clearly demonstrated why they are both such important leaders in this critical fight and why they were selected as the 2013 NFID awardees.
To submit nominations for the 2014 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award or Maxwell Finland Scientific Achievement Award, please visit 2014 NFID Awards Nominations.
