Inaugural ACR Distinguished Global Public Health Award Presented to Dr. Fauci

Anthony S. Fauci, MD (NIAID)

ACR CONVERGENCE 2020—At the ACR’s fully virtual annual meeting on Saturday, Nov. 7, ACR President Ellen M. Gravallese, MD, chief of the Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, presented the inaugural ACR Distinguished Global Public Health Award to Anthony S. Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), an ACR Master and the 2008 recipient of the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Ellen M. Gravallese, MD

“I would like to acknowledge Dr. Fauci for his close involvement in the work to address the COVID-19 pandemic and for his evidence-based approach,” said Dr. Gravallese, who added that the award honors his “exemplary contributions to advance global health. We honor you for all of your remarkable contributions over a lifetime and wish to express our gratitude.”

In accepting the award, Dr. Fauci said, “As some of you may know, I started my NIH career studying rheumatological disease in the laboratory of the late Sheldon Wolff, [MD]. So, as an erstwhile rheumatologist, it is my special honor to be recognized with the ACR Distinguished Global Public Health Award. Thank you for this recognition and for all your good work, especially during these difficult times.”

Gregg Silverman, MD

In closing remarks, Gregg Silverman, MD, professor of medicine at NYU Langone Grossman School of Medicine and Basic Science Subchair of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, recalled working under Tony Fauci early in his career in infectious disease research.

“He is a preeminent example of a physician-scientist and a role model for all of us. Let’s all be proud of what Tony has given us. Who could be a more appropriate candidate for the 2020 Distinguished Global Health Award,” Dr. Silverman said. “If this were not a Zoom-virtual world right now, I would ask everyone in the audience to stand and give Tony a well-deserved round of applause.”

Susan Bernstein is a freelance journalist based in Atlanta.