From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, local artists and cultural organizations communicated essential public health information to their communities.

To assist health departments during COVID-19, the CDC Foundation, with support from CDC, created the Workforce/Vaccine Initiative, deploying professionals to fill critical roles in 95 jurisdictions around the country. Among the field employees were epidemiologists, communications specialists, data analysts, public health nurses, infection preventionists and others. In total through all of its staffing efforts, the CDC Foundation hired more than 4,000 staff during the pandemic utilizing both public and private support.

“It’s a calling,” says Valerie Kokor about her long career in public health, “but you don’t always know your calling right away.” Valerie’s story is one of twists and turns, successes and failures, and an ongoing commitment to the field of public health—even in retirement today.

Local organizations across the country are coming up with innovative programs that make a real difference. And using mini-grants from the CDC Foundation, they’re doing it with a modest amount of grant money and a rapid timeline.

On August 7, 1998, just months after Dr. Louise Martin began work with Walt Dowdle on the Task Force Malaria Team, she was killed in the terrorist bombing of the American Embassy in Kenya. In her honor, Walt and his wife Mabel have established the Louise Martin Scholarship.

For over three decades, the Center for Black Women's Wellness has been a tireless advocate for Black women and their families in Atlanta. They offer affordable health care and other services to support the physical, mental, emotional and financial health needs of the women they serve. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this unwavering support became a kind of lifeline of connection for many families.

In today’s interconnected world, a health threat anywhere is a health threat everywhere. In addition to the rise of drug-resistant pathogens, environmental disasters and armed conflict represent some of the biggest ongoing threats to global health security in Haiti.

Dr. Stephen B. Thacker was extraordinarily dedicated to public health service. Now his family works to continue his legacy by supporting the public health leaders of tomorrow.