President Barack Obama honors Bill Forge for his work in eradicating smallpox as he awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Custer)

Copyright 2012 AP. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

doctor William H. ForgeThe global public health legend passed away on January 24, 2026 at the age of 89. He received the Medal of Freedom in 2012 and the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Award for Humanitarian Contributions to Human Health in 2007. He previously served as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Few people have had a greater impact on the field of public health than Dr. Bill Forge. He is widely known for his pioneering work on smallpox eradication, particularly in India, where he lived and worked for many years. This story appears in his 2011 book house on fire.

Over ten years ago, I contacted Dr. Forge about his book. house on fire. He kindly agreed and sent me an autographed copy, which I still treasure to this day (pictured). In his books and other works, speechhe gives some suggestions lesson These remain of critical importance to everyone working in public health and global health. In this post, we highlight five lessons that are invaluable, especially at a time when science, multilateralism, and public health are under intense attack.

Great leaders demonstrate leadership with humility.

What impressed me most about Dr. Forge was his humility and ability to uplift others. preface to house on fire This book was written by Dr. David Sencer, another public health legend and former CDC director. In his foreword, Senser wrote about how Forge told “stories not about what I did, but about what others did.” Dr. Senser called his trait “ego suppression.”

A striking example of this humble leadership is shared by Dr. Senser in his foreword. In the mid-1970s, as India neared its goal of eliminating smallpox, Dr. Fauji decided to leave India and return to the United States with his family. His boss, Dr. Senser, asked him to stay in the country and take part in the grand celebration that was being planned, once it was proven that the country was free of smallpox.

Dr. Fauji replied to Dr. Senser: “I know that this is going to happen, but if I stay in India, too much attention will be focused on the external assistance that India has received. And it is very important that the work of the hundreds of thousands of Indians who did the work be recognized. This is why I am coming back.” In 1977, India was certified free of smallpox, and in 1979, 12 The entire world was declared smallpox-free in the month of May.

doctor Arthur RheingoldNow a professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, he worked closely with his boss, Dr. Forge, during Rheingold’s tenure at the CDC. “Bill taught me that being humble about your abilities and accomplishments and having a sense of humor are not contrary to having an impact and making the world a better place,” he said.

Public health is based on good science

“Public health solutions are based on good science,” Forge wrote. house on fire. Without good science and data, smallpox could not have been eradicated. For him, the purpose of public health surveillance was to discover the truth. “Knowledge is power, and a little knowledge of the truth goes a long way,” he wrote.

Science needs a moral compass

In 2006, the University of Washington in Seattle unveiled the new William H. Forge Building. At the ceremony, Dr. Forge said, “There is something better than science. It is science with a moral compass, and it is science that serves humanity.” In his book house on firehe wrote: “The purpose of public health is to promote social justice.”

These statements clearly show how Forge lived with purpose and moral ambition. His goal was not to advance his career or build a personal reputation, but to contribute to society as a whole.

Changes are possible

The successful eradication of smallpox convinced Dr. Forge that great things could be accomplished, but they never happened by chance. In his book, he writes, “Humanity does not have to live in a world of epidemics, disastrous governments, conflicts, and uncontrollable health risks. A group of dedicated people, working together, can plan and bring about a better future. The fact of smallpox eradication is a constant reminder that we should not compromise on anything.” His latest work (2024) is Changes are possibleexpanded on this theme.

Global efforts are possible and inherently good

Dr. Forge used the example of smallpox to advocate multilateralism, global solidarity, and global cooperation. “Smallpox was a common risk, and its elimination required a common effort. Pursuing such a program is worth the effort because of the inherent benefits of solving smallpox and because it provides an exercise in working together to break down unnecessary and counterproductive social barriers,” he wrote. He strongly believed in the power of building collaboration and trust between teams.

legacy of hope

The world of global health and development is currently in turmoil, with several Western countries cutting aid and relations with the United States deteriorating. break away from the World Health Organization and several other multilateral initiatives and organizations. In these uncertain times, the life and legacy of Dr. William Forge gives us hope that we can continue to fight for social justice, keep our moral compass, guided by science, and work in solidarity with others to achieve meaningful change.