The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) will honor 3 outstanding public health heroes who have made significant and lasting contributions to public health at the 2024 NFID Annual Awards Gala and Silent Auction, a fundraising event scheduled for September 19, 2024, in Washington, DC.
The 2024 NFID awardees shared their thoughts on the greatest threats and opportunities facing public health today …
2024 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award: Seth F. Berkley, MD
Seth F. Berkley, MD, of the Pandemic Center of Brown University, will be honored in recognition of his work as a pioneer in global health and champion of equitable access to vaccines.
It is the best of times, it is the worst of times. Infectious diseases were the main killer of people throughout human history. Through vaccines, sanitation, and antimicrobial agents, we have reduced that burden down dramatically and doubled life expectancy. But today, we need to deal with the challenges from our own success: Increased risks of outbreaks and pandemics due to urbanization, migration, population growth, and climate change, but also antimicrobial resistance from the misuse of antibiotics. We need investment in new vaccines and antibiotics, and pandemic prevention and preparedness are not where they need to be.
My personal motto in life: Live like you are going to die tomorrow, learn as though you are going to live forever.
Seth F. Berkley, MD
2024 Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement: Ighovwerha Ofotokun, MD, MSc
Ighovwerha (Igho) Ofotokun, MD, MSc, of Emory University School of Medicine, will be honored for his work as a renowned clinician-scientist combating the long-term impacts of HIV and addressing systemic inequities in research.
The past 2 decades have witnessed an unprecedented rise in infectious disease outbreaks, including anthrax, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian influenza, pandemic H1N1, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Ebola, Zika, SARS-CoV-2, and mpox. These outbreaks have been superimposed on a pre-existing and substantial baseline of global epidemics including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Infectious diseases continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, accounting for 25% of all deaths globally. There is increasing recognition that for many infections, the damage to the body lingers beyond the acute phase and persists into a post-acute phase that may be associated with triggering life-threatening medical conditions such as autoimmunity, diabetes, cancer, and neuro-psychiatric disorders. One of the greatest challenges for the infectious diseases specialty is that of limited capacity and the need for versatility.
Throughout my career as a physician-scientist, I have found the art of medicine intriguing. The art drives the science of medicine and gives it meaning and impact.
Ighovwerha Ofotokun, MD, MSc
2024 John P. Utz Leadership Award: 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 for her contributions as an inclusive and dynamic leader who guided US vaccine policymaking during the turbulent COVID-19 pandemic.
Misinformation and disinformation are the greatest threats to our progress in protecting entire populations from vaccine-preventable diseases. While anti-vaccine activism and vaccine hesitancy has been present for decades, the last 5 years have been different. Anti-science groups have become organized and politicized in ways that have become almost mainstream. As scientists and public health advocates, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to engage the public more broadly. Our collective success will depend on our ability to become an organized movement that is able to communicate at scale and re-build trust in science.
My mother often said, “The moment you think you’re good, is when you no longer are.” Be humble, know that your path was paved by others, and remember your journey of learning is lifelong.
Grace M. Lee, MD, MPH
Join NFID on September 19, 2024
The 2024 NFID Annual Awards Gala and Silent Auction honors inspirational public health heroes who have helped protect the lives of millions. Join us to celebrate these 3 heroes and support the important work of NFID at the black-tie gala, which is the premier annual NFID fundraising event. Act now and reserve your seat at www.nfid.org/2024Gala.
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