CDC Participates in Smithsonian's Museum Day

Photo: Mariyn Duffoo, CDC and Mo, Georgia-Pacific's Germ-Jitsu Master taught kids about proper handwashing techniques on Museum Day. Photo credit: Jim Robinson/Georgia Pacific Photography.

Mariyn Duffoo, CDC and Mo, Georgia-Pacific's Germ-Jitsu Master taught kids about proper handwashing techniques on Museum Day. Photo credit: Jim Robinson/Georgia Pacific Photography

The newly-renamed David J. Sencer CDC Museum, a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, participated in the Smithsonian's Museum Day on Saturday, September 24. Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian Media in which participating museums from across the country open their doors for free. In honor of this important day, CDC opened its doors on a Saturday—a once-a-year event.

A new exhibit—Watching Hands: Artists Respond to Keeping Well—debuted and was viewed by more than 450 people. The day was filled with handwashing demonstrations with CDC staff and Mo, the Master of Germ-Jitsu, special curator tours and interviews with some of the artists featured in the exhibit.

Made possible by a generous grant from Georgia-Pacific Professional to the CDC Foundation, and curated by Louise E. Shaw, CDC Museum Curator, this exhibition stretches the boundaries of current public health campaigns through painting, drawing, graphic design, sculpture, installation, and new media.

Art by Didi Dunphy

Making the connection between handwashing and keeping well, the work—all new for this exhibition--ranges from the humorous to the spiritual. The artists include: John Bankston (San Francisco, CA); Didi Dunphy (Athens, GA); Joe Peragine (Atlanta, GA); Katherine L. Ross (Chicago, IL); Laura Splan (Brooklyn, NY); and James Victore (Brooklyn, NY).

"We had high hopes for the collaboration with Georgia-Pacific Professional and the CDC Foundation, but this exhibit and the ripple effects of community participation and impact have exceeded our expectations!" said Judy M. Gantt, Director, David J. Sencer CDC Museum. "Museum Day was an affirmation for us of the CDC Museum's mission - educating visitors about the value of prevention-based public health. So many people read every word of every exhibit, engaged extensively with our docents and the handwashing demonstrations, and made comments about our being 'a little-known gem in the city.'" The exhibit is on view at the CDC Museum until January 13, 2012.

The Newly-named CDC Museum

The museum was dedicated to public health giant David J. Sencer, MD, MPH, during a special ceremony on July 15, 2011.

The CDC Museum, formerly known as the Global Health Odyssey Museum (GHO), was renamed in July to honor David J. Sencer, MD, MPH, CDC's former director (1966 to 1977), who died earlier this year. Sencer, the longest serving director of the agency, was a thoughtful and vibrant public health giant, and an ardent believer in the importance of preserving CDC history. Under his personable, hands-on leadership, CDC expanded dramatically, adding many global and domestic programs, from malaria and disaster relief to reproductive health and tobacco control. His far-reaching vision led to the first and only worldwide eradication of a disease—smallpox.

Sencer received his MD from the University of Michigan in 1951, and his MPH from Harvard University in 1958. He joined the Public Health Service in 1955, after an internship and residency in internal medicine at University Hospital in Ann Arbor. After working in Idaho and Georgia health departments, he served as assistant director of the Communicable Disease Center (the original CDC) in 1960.

In 1966, he became director of the newly-named Center for Disease Control, developing an institution that served state and local health departments in all areas of public health. He was especially proud of the recognition he received as an honorary member of the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) and an honorary public health advisor, and remained a strong supporter of these two core career series at CDC.

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He recently established The Global Health Chronicles with Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, Global Health Institute, Woodruff Library, and the CDC Museum. The work will go on—adding the genesis of CDC and malaria control to the chronicles of smallpox and Guinea worm disease.

For many years, Dr. Sencer was a trusted advisor and friend to CDC leaders, and he generously gave his time to employees, students, teachers, and all those interested in public health. His influence will continue to be felt by millions of people, both in this country and around the world.

Experience the CDC Museum

The David J. Sencer CDC Museum features an award-winning lineup of permanent and changing exhibitions designed to educate visitors about CDC, public health, and the benefits of disease prevention. The museum also offers high-impact educational programs for students and teachers, collects and preserves CDC's history, and provides access to CDC's history collection for scholars and researchers. The museum is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, with extended hours on Thursday evenings. Learn more at www.cdc.gov/museum.

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