NFID Recognizes Infectious Disease Luminaries and Calls for 2020 Awards Nominations

Bethesda, MD (April 30, 2019) – The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) will celebrate three infectious disease heroes during the 2019 annual awards dinner on the evening of May 9, at the historic Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C.

The 2019 NFID awardees are:

Jeremy Farrar, FRS, director of Wellcome Trust, will receive the 2019 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award in recognition of his work to address globally important infectious diseases, including those with epidemic or pandemic potential.

Anne A. Gershon, MD, a trailblazing pediatric infectious disease researcher at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, will receive the 2019 Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement for her leadership in basic and applied research on varicella-zoster virus and public health policy on vaccines.

Richard E. Besser, MD, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, will receive the 2019 John P. Utz Leadership Award in recognition of his long-standing leadership and service to the field of infectious diseases, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic.

“NFID takes great pride in honoring these outstanding public health heroes,” said Marla Dalton, CAE, executive director and chief executive officer of NFID. “Their collective work has saved the lives of millions and prevented human suffering throughout the world. They inspire us all—not only with their brilliance and dedication but also with their humility.”

The 2019 dinner will be held at the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. Additional information about the dinner is available at www.nfid.org/awards. NFID is also calling for nominations for the 2020 awards to be presented in the spring of 2020 in the Washington, D.C. area.

To nominate an individual who has had a significant impact on public health and the fight against infectious diseases, submit an online application for the 2020 Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement and Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award at http://bit.ly/2020awards-nominations. Nominations must be submitted online and will be accepted until July 1, 2019.

About the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

Founded in 1973, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating the public and healthcare professionals about the burden, causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases across the lifespan. Visit www.nfid.org for more information.

Contact: Diana Olson at 301-656-0003, x140