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Dr. Nancy Cox Chosen as One of Time 100


This 2005 photograph was taken during Michael O. Leavitt’s first trip to the CDC while in his newly appointed role as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Here Leavitt is being briefed by Nancy Cox, PhD, now Influenza Division Director.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael O. Leavitt and many others are turning to an important member of CDC’s scientific community to help unravel the complexity of influenza and the potential for pandemic conditions. Nancy Cox, PhD, Director of CDC’s Influenza Division, is widely respected for her knowledge and understanding of influenza viruses as well as her insights into important influenza prevention and control strategies.

Her contributions at CDC go well beyond her scientific excellence to include her masterful ability to communicate the difficulties and challenges associated with influenza viruses and the need for pandemic preparedness. Dr. Cox’s recognized expertise and many important contributions to public health recently resulted in being selected by Time magazine to be included in the Time 100: The People Who Shape Our World. When she learned of this honor, Cox expressed that she is “especially proud to represent CDC and have an opportunity to highlight the important work done here.”

This recognition has given Dr. Cox, who has worked on influenza since 1970, an opportunity to bring attention to the need for

  1. Better global preparedness and greater investment in influenza pandemic planning;
  2. Improved preparations for seasonal influenza epidemics, including increasing supplies of influenza vaccines and antiviral drugs, and development of effective distribution strategies; and
  3. Increased global surveillance of influenza and respiratory diseases.

From her perspective, these are all essential factors in working toward improved capacity and greater effectiveness in pandemic influenza preparedness along with responding to the threat of other emerging infectious diseases. The comprehensive United States government resource, www.pandemicflu.gov, is just one example of an information source where Dr. Cox has made her mark. The CDC scientific community is honored to work alongside this remarkably gifted scientist.

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