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How does a career in the ER lead to shaping national public health leadership? In this episode, hosts Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, talk with Georges C. Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association. Drawing on decades of experience at the intersection of medicine, policy, and community health, Benjamin explains why trust is built through relationships, transparency, and consistent action over time. The conversation explores misinformation and “alternative facts,” communicating prevention more effectively, strengthening community engagement, rebuilding public health systems, and preparing the next generation of the workforce. 

Show Notes

As APHA’s leader since 2002, Benjamin has championed prevention, health equity, and strong public health systems nationwide. A board-certified internist and respected voice in public health leadership, he previously served as Maryland’s health secretary and has held clinical, academic, and military medical roles. Benjamin has authored more than 200 publications and is widely recognized for his expertise in preparedness, policy, and population health—bringing decades of real-world insight to conversations about protecting communities.

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How do we rebuild trust in vaccines and public health—and why aren’t facts alone enough? In this episode, hosts Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, talk with infectious disease expert William Schaffner, MD, about vaccine confidence, public trust, and the growing impact of misinformation. Drawing on decades of experience, Schaffner explains why effective science communication must reach hearts as well as minds to change behavior. The conversation explores vaccine hesitancy, social media’s role in shaping beliefs, the importance of listening to patients, and why public health education must start early. A thoughtful discussion for clinicians, public health professionals, and anyone concerned about the future of prevention.

Show notes

A longtime advocate for disease prevention, Schaffner is a trusted science communicator whose clarity, perspective, and calm guidance have helped shape public health conversations for decades. He is a professor of Preventive Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and he has worked extensively on the effective use of vaccines in adult populations. He previously served as NFID president, medical director, liaison to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and host of the NFID podcast. In 2013, NFID honored him with the John P. Utz Leadership Award in recognition of his extraordinary service to NFID and the infectious disease community.

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In this episode, Jeremy Farrar, FRS, of the World Health Organization (WHO), joins new hosts Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, for an insightful conversation on the power of science, the importance of community, and the urgent need for trust and collaboration in an increasingly polarized world. Drawing on decades of experience—from the early days of HIV/AIDS to pandemic preparedness, vaccine development, and global health leadership—Dr. Farrar shares personal lessons on failure, leadership under pressure, and why optimism, humility, and inclusion are essential to shaping the future of public health.

Show Notes

A physician-scientist, international health leader, and advocate, Dr. Farrar’s work has spanned HIV/AIDS, research on avian influenza, and leadership at Wellcome, where he helped guide the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He now serves as assistant director-general of health promotion and disease prevention and control at WHO, providing leadership on infectious and noncommunicable diseases, health promotion, food safety, and the health impacts of environmental change. In 2019, NFID honored him with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to global public health.

Transcript

Alvania:

Welcome to the NFID podcast, Infectious IDeas. This is Rebecca Alvania, NFID CEO, and with me is my co-host, NFID Medical Director, Dr. Bob Hopkins.

Hopkins:

Hey, happy to be here, Rebecca.

Alvania:

Our guest today is Dr. Jeremy Farrar. He serves as the World Health Organization's Assistant Director-General of health promotion and disease prevention and control. Many of you know him for his groundbreaking work on infectious diseases with pandemic potential. He's also held major leadership roles, including director of the Welcome Trust and co-founder of Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the global effort to speed vaccine development and ensure access worldwide. In 2019, NFID honored him with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award. It recognized his impact on global public health and his commitment to making the world a more equitable place.

Jeremy, thank you so much for joining us.

Farrar:

Great pleasure.

Alvania:

All right, we're going to start at the beginning. You began your career working in HIV AIDS. How did those early experiences shape you as a scientist?

Farrar:

That would have been in the late 1980s and of course, that was the time that HIV was becoming known about. And I do remember—I was a medical student, and soon after graduating—just the impact this had. I was working in London at the time, and medical students and doctors had got used to the idea that many things were treatable, and then suddenly you had mostly young individuals coming in. And frankly, there was very little anybody could do. Obviously, we didn't know what the cause was, and that was devastating, actually.

But also on the positive side, as a result of great science and great public health, some solutions did start to come, and I pay huge tribute to the community who were then known to be living with HIV, because the role they played in pushing science and pushing public health was, I think, absolutely groundbreaking. And I'm not sure the establishment would have got there quite the way it did without that pressure from the community.

So, three lessons: one, is the devastating impact of something new, in this case, HIV. Secondly, the incredible power of science. And thirdly, the critical importance of communities being part of engaging

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In this episode, Vin Gupta, MD, MPA, a pulmonary and critical care physician and medical analyst with NBC News and MSNBC, joins hosts Marla Dalton, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, for a compelling conversation about his path from the intensive care unit to the national stage, and why creating impact beyond the bedside has become his mission. From confronting misinformation to advancing early detection and bridging health, technology, and policy, Gupta shares candid insights on leadership, effective communication, and the future of public health.

A fond farewell to our current hosts—Marla Dalton and Bill Schaffner—in this final episode before new hosts join the podcast.

Show Notes

As managing director of healthcare innovation at Manatt, Gupta is a leading expert bridging the worlds of clinical care, technology, and effective communication. He previously served in several roles at Amazon and Google, is a Major in the US Air Force Reserve, and has earned degrees from Princeton, Columbia, Harvard, and the University of Cambridge. Gupta is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the National Board of Directors of the American Lung Association. He currently lives in Seattle, WA, with his wife, who is a practicing pediatrician, and their 2 young boys.

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In this episode, Anne Schuchat, MD, former US Assistant Surgeon General and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) leader, joins Marla Dalton, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, for a candid conversation about her extraordinary career in public health. From the AIDS crisis to leading CDC responses to anthrax, SARS, and H1N1, she reflects on the mentors and moments that shaped her leadership—and why communication, trust, and collaboration are more vital than ever.

Show Notes

A highly respected epidemiologist, physician, and public health leader, she offers heartfelt advice reminding us that even in tough times, public health remains one of the most meaningful—and hopeful—professions. In 2018, NFID honored Schuchat with the John P. Utz Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership and contributions to public health.

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Myths about infectious diseases can spread just as quickly as the viruses themselves. In this special compilation episode of Infectious IDeas, Marla Dalton, CAE and William Schaffner, MD, revisit some of the most common myths and misconceptions busted by past guests. Tune in as leading experts set the record straight and highlight why combating misinformation is essential to protecting public health.

Tune in for wisdom and inspiration from these thought leaders:

• Patricia N. Whitley-Williams, MD
• Céline Gounder, MD, ScM
• Peter Marks, MD, PhD
• Kathleen M. Neuzil, MD, MPH
• Grace M. Lee, MD, MPH
• William H. Foege, MD, MPH
• Anthony S. Fauci, MD
• Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH
• Gregory A. Poland, MD
• Julie L. Gerberding, MD, MPH
• Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD
• Eric Topol, MD
• Katelyn K. Jetelina, PhD, MPH

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In this inspiring episode, Rino Rappuoli, PhD, a true pioneer in modern vaccinology and recipient of the 2025 Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement, joins Marla Dalton, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, to explore his groundbreaking work in vaccinology. From his early days in Siena, Italy, to leading the development of life‑saving vaccines against meningitis, pertussis, and influenza, Rappuoli has transformed how vaccines are developed. He shares insights on mentorship, the origins of reverse vaccinology, climate change, and the future role of artificial intelligence in disease prevention. Tune in for a powerful conversation about science, innovation, and the unwavering drive to protect public health.

Show Notes

Rappuoli is scientific director of the Biotecnopolo di Siena Foundation, Italy, honorary professor of Vaccinology at Imperial College, London, and senior professor of molecular biology at the University of Siena. He was previously head of external R&D and chief scientist at GSK Vaccines and founded the GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health. He earned his PhD in biological sciences at the University of Siena, Italy, and was visiting scientist at Rockefeller University and Harvard Medical School.

An elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, he was awarded the Albert B Sabin Gold Medal in 2009. He is currently president of the International Union of Microbiological Societies. Rappuoli is among the world’s scientific leaders dedicated to the sustainability of global health and his work has contributed significantly to improving the quality of human life.

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In this episode, Katelyn K. Jetelina, PhD, MPH, epidemiologist, data scientist, and founder of Your Local Epidemiologist, joins Marla Dalton, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, to share her journey from statistical curiosity to science communication powerhouse. The conversation explores the importance of listening over lecturing, engaging with vaccine skeptics, and why empathy—not just evidence—is key to restoring public trust. From bungee jumping in South Africa to navigating burnout and motherhood, she reflects on modernizing public health and where she hopes to make the biggest impact.

Show Notes

Your Local Epidemiologist translates complex, evolving science into clear, actionable information—with more than 400 million views in more than 133 countries. Jetelina was recently named as a TIME100 Most Influential Person in Health. She lives with her husband and 2 young daughters in San Diego, CA.

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