Recent episodes of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) podcast, Infectious IDeas, featured 3 outstanding public health heroes sharing thoughtful insights. NFID will honor these inspirational heroes for their significant and lasting contributions to public health at the 2024 NFID Annual Awards Gala and Silent Auction on September 19, 2024, in Washington, DC.
Download the episodes for a preview of their accomplishments …
A Leader for Global Health Equity—Seth F. Berkley, MD
Seth F. Berkley, MD, of the Pandemic Center of Brown University, will receive the 2024 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award in recognition of his work as a pioneer in global health and champion of equitable access to vaccines.
A physician and infectious disease epidemiologist, he shares insights from his notable career, including his impactful work in Uganda rebuilding the immunization program and developing the national AIDS control program, his work with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and his trailblazing leadership of COVAX, which helped deliver more than 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines globally to 146 countries.
About 91% of families have access to at least 1 routine dose of vaccine. Of course, that means 9% don’t, and about 50% of child mortality occurs in that group.
Seth F. Berkley, MD
Medicine as a Tool for Good with Ighovwerha (Igho) Ofotokun, MD, MSc
Ighovwerha (Igho) Ofotokun, MD, MSc, of Emory University School of Medicine, will receive the 2024 Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement for his work as a renowned clinician-scientist combating the long-term impacts of HIV and addressing systemic inequities in research.
Now co-director of the Emory Center for AIDS Research Clinical Core, he shares his journey from growing up in Nigeria to becoming a leading HIV researcher, discussing the influences that shaped his career, the challenges he faced, and his significant achievements in promoting women’s health and improving US and international HIV treatment guidelines.
We can save lives. We’ve seen that with many outbreaks, with Zika, with Ebola. It’s a profession that is so fulfilling because you see a lot of devastation, but you can do something about it.
Ighovwerha Ofotokun, MD, MSc
Leading through Uncertainty with Grace M. Lee, MD, MPH
Grace M. Lee, MD, MPH, of Stanford Medicine Children’s Health and Stanford University School of Medicine, will be honored with the 2024 John P. Utz Leadership Award for her contributions as an inclusive and dynamic leader who guided US vaccine policymaking during the turbulent COVID-19 pandemic.
Lee, who served as chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the COVID-19 pandemic, shares her insights into the complexities and challenges encountered, the importance of vaccine safety, and concerns that keep her awake at night.
It was my responsibility to create a safe and respectful place and space to have robust discussions on challenging topics where there was great uncertainty. And I felt strongly that our discussions should be inclusive of a wide range of opinions, especially before a vote happened.
Grace M. Lee, MD, MPH
Join the Celebration
Join NFID for the 2024 NFID Annual Awards Gala and Silent Auction to celebrate these 3 heroes and support the important work of NFID. Reserve your seat at: www.nfid.org/2024Gala.
Make a donation to help support NFID. Donations directly contribute to the NFID mission to educate and engage the public, communities, and healthcare professionals about infectious diseases across the lifespan. Every gift makes a difference!
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