Let’s honor Anthony Fauci and his 50 years of advancing public health

Today, Dr. Anthony Fauci will testify before Congress for the first time since leaving public office. Special Subcommittee on COVID-19 And as our nation prepares to hear him speak, I felt I should share my experiences working alongside him for many years.

Having spent my career leading government and academic roles that support the nation’s public health infrastructure, while simultaneously developing public health agencies and their staffs committed to protecting the health of the nation, I know the vital role public health plays in our communities and around the world.

After eight years as the longest-serving Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), I was called in a 2001 Washington Post article: “One of the most successful government administrators of modern times“All of this success is due to having talented leaders and world-class scientists and physicians like Dr. Fauci in our government. Dr. Fauci is one of America’s most respected public servants and one of the greatest public health officials in the world. No other award more symbolizes his legacy of more than 50 years of service. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush.

I had the honor of working with Tony Fauci during his time as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), where he led a historic and unprecedented investment in science that has led to some of the most influential scientific breakthroughs of the last century. Antiretroviral therapy development For people living with HIV/AIDS around the world. Many of America’s public health officials and agencies have worked tirelessly to protect the health and safety of our nation from the threat of infectious diseases thanks to Dr. Fauci’s leadership and vision.

Dr. Fauci has dedicated his entire career to instilling confidence in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and rebuilding public trust in science. He is leading the effort to focus on scientific data and information to gain public trust. Dr. Fauci believes in following the core principles of science: honesty, transparency, flexibility, and humility. We know that science is evolving and there is always more to learn.

Our nation’s public health officials have protected Americans from the unique COVID-19 virus during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. As is often the case in the scientific world, these public health officials, including Dr. Fauci, have relied on evolving scientific data and dedicated their lives to reducing the threat of COVID-19.

Americans are devastated and outraged by the lives lost and the toll caused by the pandemic, and weaponizing this anger against public health officials like Dr. Fauci, who have faithfully served our country for 50 years, could have irreparable consequences for our country and the respect we have in the eyes of others.

We cannot undermine our nation’s ability to prevent and prepare for future pandemics, both in our country and the world. Let us commit to working constructively and respecting public health authorities to protect the public health of our communities from future threats.

Donna Shalala is a former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and a former Democratic Congresswoman representing Florida’s 27th Congressional District. Shalala has led the University of Miami, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Hunter College for over a decade, and currently serves as interim president of The New School University in New York City. Shalala was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush.