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 going to eradicate polio? [6:17] The biggest challenge to eradication is building community trust. [7:06] The reality for the ones working in the field. [8:11] How do you become a community mobilizer? [9:45] What is the biggest danger for community mobilizers? [10:54] The psychology behind vaccine hesitancy. [11:53] How can we overcome vaccine hesitancy? [12:57] Powerful stories. [15:11] Women at the frontlines. [15:49] Carol Pandak's career advice for future public health leaders.

Mentioned in This Episode: CDC Foundation Answer this episode’s question: Do you know someone that has been impacted by polio? Email your answer to [email protected] and participate to win some CDC Foundation merchandise.

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 Louisiana Department of Health. 

[5:50] Prioritizing the safety of the public. 

[7:25] Hepatitis C in Louisiana. 

[10:05] Understanding and preventing Hepatitis C. 

[13:25] Infant mortality and protecting babies and mothers. 

[14:45] Maternal mortality and implicit bias. 

[16:06] Medicaid expansion. 

[18:22] The most complicated part of Dr. Gee’s role as Secretary of the Department of Health. 

[20:23] The greatest public health challenges in Louisiana. 

[21:23] Dr. Gee’s career advice for the future public health leaders of America. 

[22:43] Delivery system and public health need to be married for optimal results. 

[22:52] Advice for women who want to be public health leaders. 

Mentioned in This Episode: 

CDC Foundation 

Answer this episode’s question: What is the best career advice you have ever received? Email your answer to [email protected] and win some CDC Foundation merchandise.

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 Intelligence Service. 

[6:20] Dr. Besser’s favorite aspect of being a pediatrician. 

[7:42] Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s approach to building a culture of health. 

[9:26] Health equity. 

[10:14] When parents know what their kids need but may not have access to a safe environment. 

[11:47] Key takeaways from Dr. Besser’s leadership experience that shaped his views about health. 

[14:05] The H1N1 response at CDC. 

[14:28] Public health’s identity challenge. 

[15:57] Defining moments of Dr. Besser’s tenure at CDC. 

[18:05] The most interesting person Dr. Besser interviewed at ABC News: President Obama. 

[20:15] 2014 Ebola epidemic in West Africa. 

[21:20] Partnerships and philanthropy. 

[23:45] Your zip code and your life expectancy are linked. 

[24:55] 500 Cities Project. 

[25:50] The one key initiative that Dr. Besser would like to accomplish at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. 

[27:19] Investing in leaders. 

[28:32] Career advice for future public health leaders in America: Work to change the world. 

Mentioned in This Episode: 

CDC Foundation 

Answer this episode’s question: What does public health mean to you? Email your answer to [email protected] to win some CDC Foundation merchandise. 

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 health philanthropies?

[5:26] Investing in human capital can translate into economic success.

[6:23] The case of Ethiopia.

[7:06] The most important value in public-private partnerships.

[8:32] How a "volume guarantee" enhances philanthropy.

[10:02] Encouraging companies to pay attention to where their future customers are going to be.

[10:55] How does Dr. Desmond-Hellmann relax and recharge?

[12:03] The importance of taking thoughtful risks in philanthropy.

[13:11] Big bold collaborations can improve and save more lives.

[16:02] What areas of global health is Dr. Hellmann most optimistic about?

[16:50] HIV and malaria.

[18:47] Tuberculosis today is one of the hardest diseases to tackle.

[20:13] TB vaccine is closer than ever.

[20:28] Dr. Desmond-Hellmann shares her thoughts about a nationalistic perspective.

[22:30] What keeps her up at night? She worries about people getting the wrong information about vaccines.

[24:50] Dr. Desmond-Hellmann’s biggest challenge at the Gates Foundation.

[25:46] It is not easy to change systems.

[27:04] Ethiopia works to change its health delivery system.

[28:10] What's the biggest opportunity for the Gates Foundation?

[28:57] It is possible for anyone around the world to make a difference.

[29:20] Advice for women who want to become CEOs and innovators: Keep learning!

[30:40] Ask for help.

[31:23] Be willing to take risks.

[32:39] Defining point in Dr. Desmond-Hellmann’s career: cancer-fighting breakthrough drug Herceptin.

Mentioned in This Episode:

CDC Foundation

Answer this episode’s question What is your favorite thing to do to recharge after a busy day? Email your answer to [email protected] to win some Contagious Conversations merchandise.

For more information about this episode go to Contagious Conversations.

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] Finding out other people with disabilities were also affected in his community.

[5:08] Building the Americans with Disabilities Act.

[9:33] Lex’s connection to former U.S. President George H.W. Bush

[11:45] Challenges that existed for people with disabilities before 1988.

[14:15] Despite the progress made by the ADA, there is still a ways to go.

[17:16] How the ADA is changing the paradigm about disabilities.

[20:03] We need inclusive planning in the workplace, the community and the world.

[20:25] The role of public/private partnerships in improving the lives of people living with disabilities.

[21:40] Empowering individuals to get engaged is important.

[22:37] Today’s challenges for Americans with disabilities.

[23:30] Aging people naturally acquire disabilities.

[25:08] Advice for people living with disabilities and to the ones around them.

Mentioned in This Episode:

CDC Foundation

Answer this episode’s question: Do you have a story to share about how the ADA has benefited you or someone you know? Email your answer to [email protected] to win some Contagious Conversations merchandise.

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.

[6:02] The unique challenges of public health storytelling.

[6:18] The role of journalism in increasing awareness.

[7:40] On the frontlines of a health response.

[10:32] Why did Maryn get interested in the area of antibiotics resistance?

[13:53] Seeing statistics about how we use antibiotics in livestock compared to medicine led to a new book.

[14:24] Why chickens?

[16:50] An experience in France that changed Maryn forever.

[19:33] Does Maryn still eat chicken?

[21:18] Disease X.

[23:15] Acute flaccid myelitis, new epidemic in the USA.

[24:10] Concerns about U.S. public health in response to epidemics.

[26:14] Antibiotics development is expensive and challenging .

[26:48] The role of public-private partnerships in public health.

[29:12] Maryn’s advice to young people pursuing journalism.

[31:05] Journalism’s openness to people from other fields today.

Mentioned in This Episode:

CDC Foundation

Answer this episode’s question:Have you ever had chicken or any food in another country that changed your life? Email [email protected] to win a signed copy of Big Chicken

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.