October 14, 2009

Pandemics, Public Health, and Political Transition

Former CDC acting director discusses H1N1 flu pandemic

Richard Besser, a former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a senior health and medical editor for ABC News, will offer his perspective on the evolution of the H1N1 flu from health concern to pandemic to major public health scare when he delivers the annual Dudley Allen Sargent Lecture on Friday, October 16.

As the CDC acting director, Besser led the agency’s response to the H1N1 influenza outbreak. He also served as the director of the CDC’s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) and as acting administrator for its Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

In June 2009, he received the Surgeon General’s Medallion for his work and leadership during the H1N1 influenza outbreak last spring.

The Dudley Allen Sargent lecture series began in 1999 to celebrate the incorporation of Sargent College into Boston University in 1929.

The Dudley Allen Sargent Lecture is on Friday, October 16, at 3 p.m., at Sargent College, 635 Commonwealth Ave., Room 101. Doors will close at 3 p.m., and there will be no admittance once the program has started. All attendees are invited to a reception following the lecture, at 4 p.m., in the Setterberg Lounge on the second floor. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Max Wyneken at 617-353-2708.