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Home > Global Health Matters July/August 2024 > Reflecting on my first 90 days as Fogarty director Print

Reflecting on my first 90 days as Fogarty director

July/August 2024 | Volume 23 Number 4

Headshot of Fogarty Director Kathy NeuzilRead recent commentary on global health research issues from current and immediate past directors of the Fogarty International Center.

It’s hard to believe that I’ve already passed the 90-day mark as director of the Fogarty International Center. These first three months have been demanding, humbling, energizing—and most of all inspiring. Every day, I see tangible evidence of the impact of our work and the dedication of our staff, partners, and trainees. I feel privileged to be part of this incredible community.

I want to take a moment to thank Dr. Peter Kilmarx for his exemplary leadership over the past year. His tenure as acting director didn’t just maintain operations: it expanded our networks and advanced and promoted Fogarty’s mission for collaboration. His expertise, experience and compassion have been key to my onboarding, and I am grateful for his past and current service to our mission.

This photo shows Kathleen Neuzil (second from right) posing outside the Stone House on the NIH campus with former and current Fogarty Global Health Fellows at the 2024 LAUNCH program orientation. Fogarty International CenterNeuzil (second from right) attended her first LAUNCH program orientation this summer. Pictured from left are former and current fellows: Evelyn Hsieh, Valeria Navarro-Galarza and Carla Villanueva.

I was told before I came onboard that Fogarty is a special place, and that has proven to be true. I’ve learned so much in these first few months, and this has only reinforced my commitment to supporting research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and training the next generation of scientists around the globe. In my view, the mission of the Fogarty International Center has never been more relevant, and global scientific partnerships have never been more important, than in today’s interconnected world. A diverse scientific work force and strong partnerships will be needed to combat the health challenges of our time and to ensure a resilient future.

In July, I had the pleasure of participating in my first LAUNCH (Launching Future Leaders in Global Health Research Training Program) oorientation. LAUNCH is our flagship program for predoctoral students (scholars) and postdoctoral fellows. At the event, I met the grant recipients and mentors that run the seven individual consortia that participate in the program as well as program alumni and new U.S. and LMIC trainees. The excitement was palpable, and I’m eager to see the incredible work these trainees will accomplish during their Fogarty year. The future is bright!

This photos shows Kathy Neuzil, director of the Fogarty International Center, (second from the right) and Fogarty program director, UnJa Hayes (third from the right) posing with faculty and trainees outside the University of Nairobi's Faculty of Health Sciences building. Photo courtesy UnJa Hayes/Fogarty International CenterNeuzil (second from right) and Fogarty program director, UnJa Hayes (third from right), visited the University of Nairobi in August. They were accompanied by the dean, George Osanjo (left) and met with staff and trainees.

A recurring theme I’ve noticed among everyone I’ve met—trainees, partners, and Fogarty staff—is the hard work and sacrifices they’ve made that have led to Fogarty’s success. This was especially evident during my visit to Kenya this August for the annual AFREHealth Symposium. Symposium. AFREhealth is an interdisciplinary health professional group, supported by Fogarty/NIH, that seeks to improve the quality of health care in Africa through research, education and capacity building. The achievements of scientists across Africa presented at the event were inspiring. They are a testament to the participants’ dedication and perseverance. At the University of Nairobi, I met with bright, energetic trainees who attended a grant- and abstract-writing workshop. Their passion was contagious as they described projects spanning mental health, maternal-fetal health, and HIV and aging, among others.

While my time at Fogarty has already taken me around the world, I'm grateful that this move to NIH has allowed me to stay in my home state of Maryland. As Harriet Tubman, a great Marylander, once said, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."

In these first few months, I've seen firsthand how Fogarty has changed the world, and I'm confident we will continue to do so.

Updated August 16, 2024

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