Contagious Conversations

In the fifth season of Contagious Conversations, each of our episodes takes a deep look at the COVID-19 pandemic from a different perspective. Our guest experts discuss health equity and COVID-19's disproportionate impact on people of color, the challenges and opportunities facing tribal nations in the time of coronavirus, what's really involved in contact tracing, and more.

Dr. Jim Curran has served as dean and professor of epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University since 1995, following 25 years of leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Curran is co-director of the Emory Center for AIDS Research and he holds faculty appointments in the Emory School of Medicine and the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. In this episode, Dr. Curran discusses our nation’s need for the next generation of the public health workforce and how our universities, associations and employers are preparing individuals to meet those demands. Dr. Curran also discusses his work at CDC during the very early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, how far the world has come since that challenging time and the road to eliminate the disease. Key Takeaways: [1:21] Dr. Jim Curran shares what sparked his interest in public health [2:23] How the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University has evolved to become the largest school of public health in the world

Dr. Georges Benjamin is the executive director of the American Public Health Association, the nation’s oldest and largest organization of public health professionals. Dr. Benjamin also previously served as a secretary at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. For the last 20 years he has been actively practicing public health at the local, state and national level with expertise in the areas of emergency preparedness, administration and infectious diseases. In this episode, Dr. Benjamin discusses our nation’s health and how public health has changed over time, he also shares insights on how disparities impact health, how data informs decisions, and how we can bring many diverse fuse together to tackle the most pressing health challenges of our time. Key Takeaways: [1:19] Dr. Benjamin shares how he started his professional career in public health. [2:31] The American Public Health Association and its role in public health and how public health has changed over time. [5:15] APHA brings diverse vo

Dr. Rasha Khoury is a physician in the Bronx, New York, with a focus on global maternal health. Dr. Khoury has completed six Doctors Without Borders surgical missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. She also serves on the organization's U.S. board of directors. In this episode, Dr. Khoury shares her experiences with Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian organization that provides medical aid where it's most needed. Doctors Without Borders is the recipient of the CDC Foundation's Fries Prize for Improving Health presented at the American Public Health Association annual meeting. Key Takeaways: [1:30] Dr. Khoury shares the principles of Doctors Without Borders. [3:02] Dr. Rasha Khoury talks about her motivation to join Doctors Without Borders even though this implies potentially putting herself at risk. [6:22] Dr. Khoury shares her experience during her first mission at Sierra Leone during the Ebola outbreak. [10:06] Challenges faced when delivering children and caring for pregn

Contagious Conversations features compelling interviews with people who are making the world safer and healthier for us all. In season 4, our guest experts share their perspectives on some of the world's toughest health challenges, including global maternal health, the evolution of public health in America, and what it takes to be part of the next generation of the public health workforce.

For our tenth episode, we sit down with the CDC Foundation's own president and CEO, Dr. Judy Monroe. Dr. Monroe has also previously been deputy director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Indiana State Health Commissioner, and president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. In this episode, Dr. Monroe shares shares stories from her recent trip to West Africa: meeting Ebola survivors and the many individuals who are making an impact on global health, the progress made since the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak, and the ongoing challenges and needs in the region. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations). Key Takeaways: [1:20] Dr. Monroe talks about her recent trip to West Africa. [2:47] Stories from West Africa and the many individuals who are making an impact. [4:58] Why listening to the community is critical. [6:10] What is contact tracing? [7:31] Ebola survivor story. [9:24] Making connections in West

Dr Michael McGinnis is an epidemiologist, health policy expert and Leonard D. Schaeffer Executive Officer at the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. McGinnis is well regarded both for his program and policy leadership and his research and publications on population health and life expectancy. Dr. McGinnis was also the recipient of the 2018 Fries Prize for improving health. In this episode, Dr. McGinnis discusses his role leading a team that worked on eradicating smallpox, his pivotal work related to causes of death in the United States, and how he created some of the world's most influential approaches for highlighting the importance of prevention efforts to address disease threats. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations).   Key Takeaways: [1:30] Dr Michael McGinnis talks about his early career. [4:55] Research on population health and the root causes of mortality. [5:27] The essence of prevention. [8:16] Addressing the urgent and

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is a pediatrician and a public health advocate whose research helped expose the Flint water crisis. Dr. Mona is founder and director of the Michigan State University and the Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative, an innovative and model public health program in Flint, Michigan. In this episode, Dr. Mona shares how she became an advocate for the people of Flint during the water crisis, and discusses the community-centered work that is creating a better future for families and children in Flint today. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations).   Key Takeaways: [1:12] Dr. Mona discusses her background and career path. [3:13] A pediatrician’s job is to be an advocate. [3:50] What Mona loves the most about being a pediatrician. [5:01] Becoming an advocate during the water crisis in Flint. [8:20] Why is lead so dangerous for children? [9:22] There is no safe level of lead. [11:22] Lead as an

Dr. Robert Redfield is the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Prior to becoming CDC’s Director, Dr. Redfield had a long and distinguished career in public health, including researching and contributing to the early scientific understanding of HIV, serving as the chief of infectious diseases and vice chair of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and serving on the president’s advisory council on HIV/AIDS from 2005 to 2009. In this episode, Dr. Redfield shares his thoughts on eliminating HIV in the United States by 2030, why opioid disorder is the public health crisis of our time, and what it’s like to work with a team that puts science and data into action to improve the human condition. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations).   Key Takeaways: [1:21] Dr. Redfield’s career path. [3:11] Dr. Redfield in his

Contagious Conversations features compelling interviews with people who are making the world safer and healthier for us all. The third season features experts who are sharing their perspectives on some of the world's toughest health challenges, including advocating for safe water for the children of Flint, tackling the Ebola crisis, ending the AIDS epidemic and developing policy that creates healthier lives.

Carol Pandak is the director of PolioPlus, Rotary International’s global effort to eradicate polio. Pandak has served in this role since 2000, where she leads day-to-day operations and oversees the program's administration, advocacy efforts, grants, finances and volunteer engagement. In this role she also works closely with global program partners such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In this episode, Carol shares the progress we've made in polio eradication and how health workers are making an impact in their communities. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations). Key Takeaways: [1:20] What led Carol Pandak to this point in her career? [1:55] What drove Carol Pandak to work in polio eradication? [2:34] Why did Rotary International get involved in polio eradication? [4:16] Progress in polio eradication since 1988. [4:55] How are we

Dr. Rebekah Gee is the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health. Dr. Gee is an OB-GYN and brings a caregiver's perspective to the people she serves. She is also a trained policy expert who has served in numerous state and national policy roles, and in 2017, she was elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Prior to her role as secretary, Dr. Gee served as the director for the Birth Outcomes Initiative, where she led the charge to decrease infant mortality and prematurity statewide.  In this episode, Dr. Gee shares her inspiring path to becoming the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, and how she is working to fight health challenges such as Hepatitis C in Louisiana.  For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations). Key Takeaways:  [1:21] What inspired Dr. Gee to become a physician?  [2:50] The caregiver perspective.  [4:00] Nothing about me, without me.  [4:31] What led Dr. Gee to her current position at the Louisi

Dr. Richard Besser is the president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, former acting director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and former chief health and medical editor at ABC News. At the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Dr. Besser leads the largest private Foundation in the country devoted solely to improving the nation’s health. The Foundation’s work is focused on building a comprehensive culture of health that provides everyone in America with a fair and just opportunity to live the healthiest life possible.  In this episode, Dr. Besser shares his career path, some takeaways from his CDC leadership experience, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s vision for building a culture of health.  For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations). Key Takeaways:  [1:27] What led Dr. Richard Besser to this point of his career.  [2:16] Key influences in Dr. Besser’s career.   [5:40] Joining the Epidemic Int

Contagious Conversations features compelling interviews with people who are making the world safer and healthier for us all. In season two, we'll discuss strategies for building a more equitable culture of health with Robert Wood Johnson Foundation CEO Dr. Richard Besser, the unique challenges of statewide healthcare with Louisiana’s secretary of health Dr. Rebekah Gee, and the road to global polio eradication with Carol Pandak of Rotary International. Subscribe now and stay tuned!

Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann is a physician, scientist and philanthropist who has devoted her career to improving the human condition. Trained as an oncologist, she spent 14 years at biotech firm Genentech, where she led the development of Avastin and Herceptin, two of the first gene-targeted therapies for cancer. Today, as CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Desmond-Hellmann leads the organization's vision for a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life. In this episode, Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann shares her work as a pioneer in healthcare for more than 30 years, including her efforts to drive major developments toward the eradication of disease, poverty and inequity. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations). Key Takeaways: [1:03] The biggest influencers in Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann´s career. [2:50] How did Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann become the leader of one of the world largest hea

Lex Frieden, MA, LLD, is a professor of biomedical informatics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and also directs the Independent Living Research Utilization program at TIRR Memorial Hermann. Best known for his contributions to the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Frieden suffered a spinal cord injury while in college and has used a wheelchair for more than 40 years. Frieden also received the 2017 Fries Prize for Improving Health for being an architect of the ADA and a catalyst in the worldwide disability rights and independent living movements. In this episode Lex shares his personal story, his passion for independent living by people with disabilities and his memories about working closely with former president George H. W. Bush. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations). Key Takeaways: [1:16] Lex’s life story and how he became a champion for people living with disabilities. [4:45

Maryn McKenna is an independent journalist and author who specializes in public health, global health and food policy. She is a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of Human Health at Emory University, and the author of the 2017 bestseller BIG CHICKEN: The Incredible Story of How Antibiotics Created Modern Agriculture and Changed the Way the World Eats, as well as the award-winning books Superbug and Beating Back the Devil: On the Front Lines with the Disease Detectives of the Epidemic Intelligence Service. In this episode Maryn shares her unique career journey, describes why storytelling matters, and tells us what it’s like to cover stories on the front lines of disease outbreaks. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations). Key Takeaways: [1:04] How Maryn became a journalist. [2:27] Immersion in the public health field. [4:01] Falling in love with investigative journalism. [5:04] Realizing the need to become a storyteller. [6

Curious about the people who are making the world healthier and safer for us all, and what set them on that path? Get inspired as the CDC Foundation interviews experts who share their unique perspectives on today’s toughest health challenges, such as antibiotic resistance, global disease outbreaks, health equality and more.