A TRIBUTE TO
DR. WILLIAM H. FOEGE
1936-2026
"Public health might be the greatest measure of kindness, the greatest measure of how to treat each other."
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Task Force for Global Health mourns death and celebrates legacy of Task Force Co-Founder and former CDC Director Dr. William H. Foege
The Task Force for Global Health mourns the death and celebrates the legacy of Task Force Co-Founder Dr. William H. Foege, who passed away on January 24, at the age of 89. Dr. Foege is justly regarded around the world as a singular public health hero, whose achievements are monumental. He is best known for orchestrating the successful global effort that eradicated smallpox, which saved and improved the lives of millions of people. But his achievements as a public health leader, teacher and mentor go far beyond smallpox, influencing the work and touching the lives of public health professionals across the globe. Our world is better because of him, in so many ways. We at The Task Force are honored to carry on the work he started and extend our deepest condolences to his wife Paula, his children, grandchildren and all who loved him.
“All of us who had the privilege of working with and learning from Bill Foege will be forever grateful,” said Task Force for Global Health CEO Dr. Patrick O’Carroll. “He was equally inspirational to people just starting out in their public health careers and to people who’d worked in this field for decades. Whenever he spoke, his vision and compassion would reawaken the optimism that prompted us to choose this field, and re-energize our efforts to make this world a better place. Bill Foege had an unflagging commitment to improving the health of people across the world, through powerful, purpose-driven coalitions applying the best science available. We try to honor that commitment in every one of our programs, every day.”
Even before he co-founded The Task Force in 1984, Dr. Foege had accomplished more than most people do in a lifetime. While working as an epidemiologist in Nigeria, he devised a successful strategy to stop the spread of smallpox and later, as head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Smallpox Eradication Program, he led the global effort that successfully eradicated smallpox by 1980. He served as CDC Director from 1977-1983.
Launch of The Task Force
Near the end of Dr. Foege’s CDC tenure, global health leaders approached him with another daunting problem. Only about 20 percent of children in developing countries were being vaccinated, so thousands of children were dying each day from preventable diseases like measles, polio and diphtheria, mostly in the world’s poorest countries.
On March 14, 1984, a group of 34 health experts gathered at the Rockefeller Foundation center in Bellagio, Italy. They launched The Task Force for Child Survival (later called The Task Force for Global Health), with five sponsoring agencies – the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank and the Rockefeller Foundation, to accelerate the pace of childhood immunizations. Based in Atlanta, with Dr. Foege at the helm, the non-profit was set up as an affiliate of Emory University, with two other employees, Bill Watson and Carol Walters, both former CDC staffers, and a $500,000 budget.
Within just six years, The Task Force partners had delivered results: four times as many children (80%) had received at least one vaccine. This dramatic increase was declared the “largest peacetime achievement that the world had ever seen” by the head of UNICEF at the September 1990 World Summit for Children.
Dr. Foege served as CEO of The Task Force for 16 years, until 2000, and continued to champion the organization’s work and inspire staff after he retired. In his 2018 book “The Task Force for Child Survival: Secrets of Successful Coalitions,” Dr. Foege described the history of the organization and the approaches it used to achieve results. President Jimmy Carter wrote a foreword to the book saying “this book tells the story of miracles in global health” and called The Task Force for Global Health “one of the most effective nongovernmental organizations in the country.”
As the organization approached its 40th anniversary, Task Force employees gifted Dr. Foege a tribute book, with heartfelt messages about the impact he’d had on them both professionally and personally. The messages reflected his influence as a global health mentor and a beloved colleague and friend, with many employees speaking to his humility, compassion and mischievous sense of humor.
In May 2024, Dr. Foege spoke at The Task Force’s 40th anniversary celebration, where more than 170 partners celebrated four decades of collaboration and global health impact with the unveiling of The William H. Foege Collaboration Center. He discussed the evolution of global health in his lifetime and offered advice for the future. Later that year, he published the book Change is Possible: Reflection on the History of Global Health, in which he shared key insights from the smallpox eradication campaign and explored how these lessons can inform and enhance modern global health efforts. He also helped develop “Becoming Better Ancestors: 9 Lessons to Change The World,” a free virtual learning series that shares key lessons learned in the eradication of smallpox and inspires people to consider how they are applicable today, featuring interviews with global health leaders.
Eradicating smallpox, and other successes
A native of Washington state, Dr. Foege aspired to become a medical missionary. He earned a medical degree from the University of Washington, joined the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service, received his Master in Public Health from Harvard, and set off on his first medical mission for the Lutheran Church to Yahe, Nigeria, helping to vaccinate people against smallpox.
There Dr. Foege made a revolutionary change to fighting smallpox outbreaks, which eventually became the model that led to eradication. Dr. Foege and his colleagues figured out that they didn’t need to vaccinate 100% of the population to stop the spread of disease but only the people who’d been exposed to those who were infected, which allowed their limited supply of vaccines to go further.
Dr. Foege eventually became the head of the CDC’s Smallpox Eradication program, working toward the WHO goal of eradication, which was achieved in 1980. Years later, in an article for the magazine of his alma mater University of Washington, Dr. Foege called this achievement “one of the greatest professional experiences of my life. The heady time was in the ’60s, when we could visualize eradication and see the prophecy come true. Some things have to be believed to be seen.”
Later in his career Dr. Foege contributed expertise and leadership to challenges like HIV/AIDS, Reyes syndrome (a blood condition in children that can lead to death), polio, and guinea worm, river blindness and lymphatic filariasis (neglected tropical diseases that cause debilitating infections). He wrote several books; received many honorary degrees and accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012; and was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Bill Gates turned to him for global health advice when establishing the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (recounted in a Heroes in the Field interview that cited Dr. Foege’s work with The Task Force). Gates once said “I view Bill as the glue that held the global health community together.”
Global impact: his legacy continues
Dr. Foege’s philosophy of “consequential compassion” continues to underlie everything The Task Force does. As he explained it in an online “fireside chat” in 2021: “Compassion may be the thing we seek but there isn’t a good measure for it. But consequential compassion you can measure…[That’s] what I think we should be working toward.”
Dr. Foege’s values live on in The Task Force’s work, notably a commitment to collaboration and bringing together diverse groups of partners to tackle complex challenges. Likewise, Dr. Foege’s call to “see the faces” of the people we serve remains central to The Task Force’s ethos. This phrase stemmed from a 1984 speech at the CDC when he said “If we are to maintain the reputation this institution now enjoys, it will be because in everything we do, behind everything we say, as the basis for every program decision we make – we will be willing to see faces.”
It’s impossible to overstate the impact Dr. Foege has had on global health. His insights continue to guide practitioners at The Task Force and throughout the sector, including his belief that social justice is the core underlying philosophy for our work. In a 2018 speech at the University of Georgia College of Public Health. He called public health “science with a moral compass”and said “Public health might be the greatest measure of kindness;the greatest measure of how to treat each other.”
All of us at The Task Force convey our deepest sympathies to Dr. Foege’s family and loved ones, as well as our gratitude for having worked with him and been inspired by him. As we mourn the loss of our dear friend and colleague, and celebrate his life and all that he accomplished, we will carry on his values and honor his legacy through our commitment – like his – to a world in which everyone has the opportunity to lead healthy lives free from preventable suffering, disability and death.
President Jimmy Carter (left), Dr. Foege (middle) and Dr. Roy Vagelos, former Merck CEO, celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Task Force’s Mectizan Donation Program in 2012.
“Except for my father, two men have helped to shape who I am. One of them was Admiral Hyman Rickover… and the other one was Bill Foege. Much more significant than changing my life, he has changed the life of millions of people around the world.”
-President Jimmy Carter, 2006
Dr. Foege (left) receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama (right) in 2012. Photo courtesy of the White House
Dr. Bill Foege (left) with Bill Gates (right) in 2017, during the filming of Heroes in the Field: Dr. Bill Foege.
Photo courtesy of Gates Notes blog.
Photos from his life and work
In His Words
Playlist
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Becoming Better Ancestors
The virtual learning series Becoming Better Ancestors: 9 Lessons to Change the World features Dr. William Foege, the architect of the successful smallpox eradication program, and interviews with key global health leaders in nine dynamic, 20-minute sessions, each focused on lessons learned that still apply today.
Books by Dr. William H. Foege
24 thoughts on “Bill Foege Tribute”
All of us who had the privilege of working with and learning from Bill Foege will be forever grateful. He was equally inspirational to people just starting out in their public health careers and to people who’d worked in this field for decades. Whenever he spoke, his vision and compassion would reawaken the optimism that prompted us to choose this field and re-energize our efforts to make this world a better place. Bill Foege had an unflagging commitment to improving the health of people across the world, through powerful, purpose-driven coalitions applying the best science available. We try to honor that commitment in every one of our programs, every day.
Patrick O’Carroll
President & CEO
The Task Force for Global Health
This is a greatest lost to the world! Reflecting on his humanitarian services in the 1980’s as missionary epidemiologist in Nigeria, Dr. William H. (Bill) Foege is celebrated as a significant figure in public health in Nigeria and beyond. Presentlly, he is referred to as the “Father of Global Health,” highlighting his influential role in saving lives and preserving the global economy. Foege’s legacy includes the global eradication of smallpox, a major achievement in infectious disease control in human history. He contributed to developing a vibrant global health workforce, training individuals as “disease detectives.” He emphasized that “Public health might be the greatest measure of kindness.” He is remembered for his sacrifices, humility and belief that health is a fundamental human right for all.
I had the good fortune of attending several meetings with Dr. Foege. Creativity, good science, and humor were his hallmarks. Once, inspired by a lecture Dr. Foege gave at Emory, I asked him how I would know what I should do to further the cause of public health or, more generally, to make the world a better place. Dr. Foege advised: “You’ll hear the trumpets. ” Since that day, I have been listening for them. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities I had to work with and learn from Dr. Foege, Carol Walters, another founder of the Task Force, Mark Rosenberg, David Ross, and Patrick O’Carroll and its brilliant board. May the Task Force follow Dr. Foege’s legacy in these difficult times.
Jane Thorpe, former Task Force Board Chair
It is with immeasurable grief and profound gratitude that I must accept the passing of Dr. Bill Foege. With Dr. Foege’s death, the world mourns one of the most consequential
leaders of the past century.
Dr. Bill Foege’s public health achievements are unparalleled. His legacy is one of deep caring for the well-being of all of humanity. He was a relentless advocate for universal access to healthcare, ensuring that the benefits of new pharmaceutical discoveries reach every person, regardless of their background or economic status. His selfless nature and unwavering kindness set the standard for compassionate collaboration across the globe.
I will forever be in debt to Dr. Foege for speaking truth to power, standing up for all of us and for showing that impactful public health requires clarity about the final mile as well as the first mile. That simple formula has transformed the health and well-being of billions across the world. Thank you Bill for being my hero, leader and mentor.
Dr. David A. Ross
Former President and CEO of The Task Force for Global Health
I first met Dr. Bill Foege in the fall of 1970 at the CDC. I was one of 14 Peace Corps volunteers going to work on the Smallpox Eradication Program in Ethiopia. Dr. Foege was one of our instructors. It was the best training I have ever had. When we finished our training, Dr. Foege said to us you know as much about the smallpox virus, the disease and the vaccine as I do, now let’s get rid of it. I was able to touch base with Dr. Foege again in the early 2000’s when I started working at CDC. I retired from CDC in 2018. I will miss my mentor.
Bill was a giant of men in every way. He was a visionary that inspired staff on a daily basis. And, he was a person who could be approached about any issue or any challenge that was on your mind. Beyond his scientific genius, Bill Foege was an extraordinary leader and a profoundly genuine human being, a combination that made his influence so far-reaching and enduring.
My first interaction with this legend was in 1996, the year I arrived at The Task Force for Global Health, where he was serving as the Executive Director. I was genuinely astounded that a man whose professional accomplishments were taught in universities globally—a man who had stood on the front lines of one of the deadliest diseases in human history—was so incredibly personable and approachable.
Bill’s leadership style was deeply rooted in humility and a sincere commitment to his team. He made it a point to walk the halls, stopping to greet staff members at every level. He would ask direct, caring questions, genuinely inquiring about their well-being. This simple act of presence and care created an atmosphere of trust and respect throughout the organization.
Moreover, Bill Foege was a relentless visionary, inspiring staff in our meetings with his profound insights. He would often share a collection of what he was currently reading—ranging from history and philosophy to current events and scientific journals—and then, with breathtaking clarity, connect the dots between seemingly disparate world news and the core mission of our work in global health. His ability to synthesize information and articulate a compelling, forward-thinking vision for The Task Force was a constant source of intellectual stimulation and inspiration. He made the complex clear and the impossible seem achievable.
In addition to his deep professionalism, I have vivid memories of the playful side of Bill Foege, particularly the ongoing, lighthearted rivalry he maintained with Bill Watson. Their office pranks were legendary. They were constantly trying to “one-up” each other with cleverly executed, yet always harmless, stunts. This willingness to engage in fun and camaraderie further cemented the feeling that we were more than just colleagues; we were a community working toward a shared purpose.
In every sense of the word, Bill Foege was a visionary who managed to inspire staff on a daily basis not just through his words, but through the integrity of his actions. At his core, he was a man who believed unequivocally in the power of helping others and the profound moral imperative of making a tangible difference in the world. He was not just a historical figure; he was an accessible human being—a person who was always willing to lend an ear and be approached about any issue, a personal challenge, or a complex professional dilemma that was weighing on your mind. His legacy is one of transformative achievement matched by profound personal grace.
I had the privilege of knowing him briefly, but that encounter left an indelible impression and solidified my decision to leave surgery for public health. Bill embodied the highest ideals of our profession: rigorous science, profound knowledge, creativity, genuine compassion, and remarkable humility despite what he did. He was a shining example of someone who left the world immensely better than he found it. His legacy calls us to continue his path with the same dedication and spiriti of service.
Our fragmented world lost a moral leader and luminary yesterday, and this loss cuts deep. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and Dr. Bill Foege demonstrated how one man can change the world.
I have a sincere reverence and admiration for this man. He continues to be an indescribable inspiration for me. When I spoke with him a year ago at his book release, he said “Goodness sakes, I can’t imagine someone flying down here just for this”. He was truly a humble global health giant.
The Gates Foundation and the entire field of Global Health wouldn’t have made the progress it did without Dr. Foege. When I spoke to Bill Gates, I got a chuckle and an affirmation👌🏻 out of him by mentioning our mutual friend, Dr. Foege, who gave lectures on smallpox eradication to my Vaccines class at Emory.
Dr. Foege, and his mentee Larry Brilliant, were the reasons I pursued a career in public health, and subsequently became an intern at TEPHINET/The Task Force for Global Health.
May his altruistic legacy, life’s work, and exemplification of consequential compassion continue to serve as a beacon of light for generations to come. Thank you, Dr. Bill Foege, for becoming a better ancestor. May your wise soul Rest In Peace.
In Love and Service,
Will McCollum, MPH
Johns Hopkins Researcher, former Task Force for Global Health intern
Dr. Foege’s values shone through in both his work and the way he treated people. Long after he retired as CEO of The Task Force he continued to make time to share his knowledge, encourage public health workers, and help improve lives around the world. In addition to his many accomplishments, he was an extraordinary storyteller and communicator who connected with and inspired others through great warmth, humor, intelligence, humility, and — above all — heart. Having the opportunity to celebrate him in 2024 at The Task Force’s 40th anniversary and launch the William H. Foege Collaboration Center was a highlight for all of us. He made our world better.
Lynn Heinisch
Chief External Relations Officer, Task Force for Global Health
It is with sadness that the global health community has lost an iconic leader and a moral voice across generations. At the same time, we celebrate the lasting impact Dr. Bill Foege has left on this world.
Bill Foege’s legacy is both inspiring and foundational for me as a Foege Fellow and public health student. He showed that public health is not only about science, but about fairness, courage, and standing with those who are too often left behind.
As someone from Tanzania hoping to strengthen health systems and advance maternal health equity, I feel the weight and privilege of carrying forward the values he lived so clearly — that health is a matter of justice, and that the most vulnerable must come first.
His impact lives on not only in history, but in the way we choose to serve. I’m deeply grateful to walk a path he helped shape. Dr. Foege’s work will continue shaping global health perspectives and practice, and he will always be remembered for his humility and passion for health justice and equity.
Daniel Katebalila
Foege Fellow 2024–2026
MPH, Global Health – Emory University
Not every scholarship recipient has the privilege of meeting the person whose name their scholarship bears. It was a true honor to meet you, Dr. Foege, at the 2025 Bill Foege Global Health Awards organized by MAP International. Your humility spoke volumes.
Thank you for the example you set, the lives you touched, and the millions you helped save. May your soul rest in peace, and may God comfort your family during this time.
Brandon Tembi, MD, MPH
Foege Fellow (2023)
Another public health giant lost to the annals of history. Having known his work for many years and after reading about his amazing achievements with the Smallpox Eradication Program, I first met Dr. Foege several years ago through my good friend and former colleague, Vincent Radke, at a Watsonian Society dinner where he was giving the keynote speech. “Bill”, as he asked me to call him, took an extremely gracious amount of time to speak with me. He asked me several questions and wrote a beautiful note to me at the beginning of his fairly new book at the time titled “House on Fire: The Fight to Eradicate Smallpox.” This extraordinary public health international leader inspired me in many ways with his tall stature, inviting presence, calm demeanor, inquisitive mind, thoughtful leadership, and superb knowledge and expertise. He will be missed by many and especially during a time where competent leadership is so sorely needed. He’s now with other public health giants from the past, such as D.A. Henderson, Don Millar, and Ciro de Quadros, resting easy in the hope that future public health leaders will emerge to take on the challenges that lay ahead in this tumultuous world.
🕯️🕊️❤️🩹⚕️🙏🏻
Standing on the shoulders of a tall man like Bill Foege undoubtedly elevates your own stature. I first encountered Dr. Bill Foege in 2008 at Emory University as one of the initial recipients of the Bill Foege Scholarship fellowship. He was such a humble individual that he dedicated an entire day to the Rollins School of Public Health, engaging with fellows who shared his name. Most of us were either at the beginning or in the midst of our careers as public health researchers and program implementers. Bill devoted his attention to each of us, taking the time to listen to our narratives. When he spoke, he was truly inspirational, demonstrating that the sky was merely the limit for our burgeoning careers. Bill’s contributions to public health are well recognized. His role in the global eradication of Smallpox is thoroughly documented in his book, “House on Fire,” which I believe is essential reading for anyone with an interest in public health.
Through Bill and the fellowship established in his honor, I have gained invaluable insights into public health. The fellowship has opened numerous doors for me that would have otherwise remained closed without such an opportunity. I am deeply humbled and saddened by the loss of such a giant in the fields of public and global health. Nevertheless, I feel a sense of encouragement because he imparted his knowledge to so many individuals while creating various pathways for his work and passion to endure in his absence. We embody his legacy, and we are the witnesses for the next generation of public health professionals. Let us carry his torch with confidence and confront the challenges ahead with optimism and hope. Bill would often finish his talk with an African proverb which says: “If you want to go fast, go alone; If you want to go far, go together”.
May your soul rest in peace, Amen.
Joseph D. Njau, PhD
Health Economist (Food and Drug Administration – FDA)
10903 New Hampshire Avenue,
Silver Spring, MD 20993
Bill Foege was a monument of a man with whom we liked to pose for a picture during field epidemiology conferences. He was an inspiration and a distant mentor with whom I never sat but from whose books I learnt a lot. Thank you very much for what you did when you worked in my country Nigeria amid the perils of the Civil War. Thank you for the great things that touched the lives of people through your global health work and leadership. Thank your for writing the books you wrote.
Dr Muhammad Shakir Balogun
Nigeria FELTP, AFENET Nigeria
Like so many in global health, Dr. Foege was my hero. His story, his moral clarity, and his unwavering commitment to equity are a major part of what drew me to CDC and to public health in the first place. He embodied the kind of leadership that is both visionary and deeply human, and his influence reaches far beyond the institutions he shaped.
In 2015, he graciously accepted my invitation to speak at our annual American Academy of Pediatrics meeting on the role of the U.S. Government in shaping global child health policy. I still remember how effortlessly he combined historical perspective, humility, and conviction, leaving the room inspired and challenged.
He continued to mentor and support me when I later joined the Emory Global Health Institute, where I had the privilege of working under Jeff Koplan, Bill’s mentee and someone who carried forward so much of Bill’s wisdom and leadership. One moment I will always carry with me is a breakfast the three of us shared with a table of students before one of our international case competitions. The conversation ranged widely, from public health to faith and purpose. I was especially struck by Bill’s depth of knowledge about Sikhism and the thoughtful parallels he drew with his own Lutheran tradition, and by how naturally he connected those beliefs to a shared calling to serve and to make the world better.
I feel deeply fortunate to have crossed paths with him. I will miss him, and I will continue to draw inspiration from the example he set: quietly courageous, intellectually rigorous, and grounded in compassion. May he rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to guide all of us who strive to advance public health with integrity and purpose.
As has been commented on by so many, Bill Foege was truly a source of inspiration, compassion and optimism, qualities public health practitioners need to adopt more than ever in this very challenging environment. I am honored to have been an EIS Officer under Dr. Foege’s tenure as Director of CDC. I will miss reading or listening to Bill Foege’s ideas, comments and thoughts, but we can all be thankful for the legacy he has left us.
In addition to Dr. Foege’s enormous contributions to global public health and the management of infectious diseases such as smallpox, he also took a strong stand on the prevention of non-infectious diseases, such as injury and violence. He chaired the influential committee on trauma research of the National Academy of Sciences, which produced the foundational report, Injury in America: A Continuing Public Health Problem (1985), declaring injury (intentional and unintentional) a critical national health issue requiring systematic prevention research and federal engagement. This report set the stage for establishing the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at CDC. He would later chair the HHS Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Injury Prevention and Control, charged with conducting reviews and issuing recommendations that helped define a national strategy and framework for injury prevention, which remains in effect today. He dedicated his life to addressing public health problems that affect all Americans, and indeed all citizens of the globe.
David A. Sleet, Ph.D.
Former Associate Director for Science
Division of Injury Prevention
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC
As a current William H. Foege Fellow, I am deeply saddened by Dr. Bill Foege’s passing and profoundly grateful for the legacy he leaves behind. The Foege Fellowship scholarship has made it possible for me to pursue my Master’s in Global Health – an opportunity that has opened many doors in my professional and personal journey.
One of the most meaningful of those doors was the chance to complete a first-year internship at The Task Force for Global Health, the organization Dr. Foege co-founded. Being able to learn and contribute in a place shaped by his vision of collaboration, humility, and impact made his values feel real and tangible for me. I learned so much through that experience, and it strengthened my commitment to public health grounded in service and equity.
Dr. Foege’s influence extends far beyond his extraordinary achievements; it lives on in the people and institutions he inspired. I will carry his lessons forward with deep respect and gratitude, and I hope to honor his memory by striving to become the kind of public health leader he challenged all of us to be.
When asked to share his life philosophy with Task Force staff in a 2018 interview, Bill stated: “ If you want to do important things, you work on important problems”. Clearly, he did just that. In doing so, he personified the role of a “public health trailblazer” in that he repeatedly saw the destination (“the last mile”) and then blazed a trail to reach the end of the journey. Further, he inspired others to follow the trail toward the destination, often in the face of formidable obstacles. As Ellen Wild noted in her eloquent tribute to Bill in her post on this site, “he made the impossible seem achievable.”
His ability to see what others were not able to see was one of his signature leadership skills. For example, he visualized the eradication of smallpox, crafted a strategy leading to that end, and stood side by side with the “smallpox warriors” as they followed his lead. As CDC Director, he saw that the future mission of CDC needed to expand beyond a focus on communicable disease to encompass a wider range of health threats. Later, he visualized the potential of the Gates Foundation to serve as a major force in global health long before others realized that the Foundation even existed; he then worked behind the scenes to influence and inspire the founders of the Foundation to pursue a global health mission.
In founding the Task Force for Global Health, Bill saw the unique need for the organization. Further, he articulated the philosophical foundation that has informed the pioneering work of the Task Force for over 40 years. In their inspiring posts in this series, Dave Ross and Patrick O’Carroll expressed so clearly Bill’s legacy as “one of deep caring for the well-being of all of humanity”. I share the sense of deep gratitude which Dave and Patrick described so well, as I reflect on Bill’s impact on me.
Along the way, he shared his wisdom with all of us in the public health field through his books, and his lectures, and simply by offering a voice of moral clarity which we so need in these troubled times. He did so with a sense of moral certainty (based on deep reflection, study, and lived experience) that was infectious to all of us who were privileged to know him. Knowing Bill Foege was a privilege and a true pleasure. I will miss him greatly.
It has been said that we may not recall exactly what someone said, but we will recall how they made us feel. In Bill’s case, I will actually recall what he said as well as how he made me feel. As I write this tribute to him, I can still feel his presence – one full of warmth, wit, and wisdom. His relentless determination in the face of daunting challenges will continue to inspire me as I strive to follow the trail he blazed.
In the future, when confronted with a challenging dilemma or decision, I will ask myself a simple question: “What would Bill Foege do?”. As I do so, his inspiring presence will remain with me for years to come. I’m a better person for having known Bill Foege.
Thank you Dr. Bill Foege for your life of service and international public health stewardship. I am reading your book, “The Fears of the Rich and The Needs of the Poor” now. Your leadership has saved countless lives and inspires us to follow your lead. Rest in God’s peace.
Carol DeLilly, Ph.D., MSN, BSN, PHN, RN
Working with Bill Foege was one of the best experiences I have had – a highlight of my career and my life. He was the ultimate motivator! He was so charismatic and fortunately for the world such a force for good. I met him in India in 1974, where I had volunteered to work on smallpox eradication. He was so inspirational. And could always find something good to stimulate us to do more even in some terrible situations. He played a big role in recruiting me back to CDC when I finished my training in Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases and I am so thankful for that. Bill Foege really made this world a better place. In essence, his impact will live on forever so all future generations will benefit. Thus, he has achieved a form of immortality. Walt Orenstein
It is with a heavy heart that I join the global health community in mourning the loss of a true titan, a mentor, and a personal inspiration, Dr. William H. Foege. While the world has lost a public health hero, I have lost a guiding light whose wisdom and vision have profoundly shaped my journey and the very course of my career. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations of public health leaders to come.
I first had the privilege of meeting Dr. Foege not in person, but through the transformative opportunity of the William H. Foege Global Health Fellowship at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. Arriving from Cameroon in 2005, I was a young physician with a passion for public health, but it was the Foege Fellowship that provided me with the tools, the network, and the unwavering belief that change was not only possible, but essential. My time at Rollins was more than just an academic pursuit; it was a major milestone that equipped me with the skills in research, scientific writing, and leadership that have been the bedrock of my work ever since.
Dr. Foege’s influence was not merely academic; it was deeply personal and philosophical. He taught us that public health is not just about data and interventions, but about social justice and a moral commitment to humanity. He championed the idea of “science with a moral compass,” a principle that has guided my work in fighting HIV/AIDS and strengthening health systems across Africa
. He also embodied a rare form of humble leadership, what his colleagues called “ego suppression”. Bill believed in elevating others and ensuring that the credit for public health victories went to the countless individuals on the front lines. This lesson in humility has been a constant reminder that our work is not about personal accolades, but about the collective effort to build a healthier world.
It was during my time as a Foege Fellow, surrounded by a community of passionate and dedicated individuals, that the idea for the Pan-African Medical Journal (PAMJ) was born. My friend and fellow CDC colleague, Raoul Kamadjeu, and I saw the immense talent and research coming out of Africa that was not being shared with the world. We envisioned a platform that would give a voice to African scientists and ensure that their work could be used to improve health outcomes across the continent. The Foege Fellowship provided me with not only the skills to make this vision a reality, but also the invaluable connections to a global network of public health experts who supported and championed our cause. Today, PAMJ stands as a testament to Dr. Foege’s belief in the power of collaboration and his commitment to empowering the next generation of health leaders.
My personal aspiration of making a significant contribution toward ending the AIDS epidemic in Africa was a commitment that was nurtured during my time at Rollins, under the invisible but ever-present mentorship of Dr. Foege. His life’s work, from the eradication of smallpox to his tireless advocacy for child survival and global health equity, serves as a constant source of inspiration. He showed us that great things can be achieved, but they never happen by accident. They are the result of dedicated people working together, guided by science and a shared sense of purpose.
As I continue my journey in public health, I carry with me the lessons I learned from Dr. Foege. His legacy is not just in the diseases that were eradicated or the lives that were saved, but in the countless individuals he inspired to dedicate their lives to the service of humanity. He was a giant in our field, and his shadow will forever loom large. While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate a life lived with purpose, passion, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Thank you, Dr. Foege, for everything. Your legacy will live on.
Dr Landry Tsague Dongmo, MD, MPH, PHD,
Director, Center for Primary Health Care, Africa CDC.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tribute to Dr. William H. Foege
As an advocate engaged in the fight against viral hepatitis, I honor the memory of a leader whose work helped shape major advances in modern public health. His passing is a significant loss for our community, but his legacy will continue to guide collective efforts in support of global health.
May his soul rest in peace.
As so many have already noted here and elsewhere, Bill Foege’s achievements are legendary and multifaceted. They underpin much of the science, programs and policies that are the foundation of population health around the globe. But for me, Bill’s most remarkable “superpowers” were his combination of exceptionally insightful vision, irrepressible warmth and optimism, and an ability to communicate complex concepts with clarity in ways that not only inspired but energized and activated each listener, including me. Throughout the 1990s, Bill’s thoughtful advice and mentorship guided me through my years at CDC as STI and HIV prevention sought to forge new alliances. When we launched the University of Washington’s Department of Global Health in 2007, Bill again provided extraordinary guidance and vision as the inaugural chair of our External Advisory Board. Over the last two decades, his support and friendship never flagged. Personally, I will very much miss this remarkable human being, but I feel very lucky that all of us in public health have had the benefits of Bill’s leadership and contributions.
My warmest wishes and condolences to Paula Foege and the Foege family.
Judy Wasserheit
Professor Emerita, Departments of Global Health & Medicine
University of Washington