I appreciate public servants because they do their jobs for the satisfaction of improving life and health in their communities, without special credit or financial rewards. The pandemic has been especially difficult for public health workers, many of whom have faced misunderstanding, misinformation, and even harassment. Yet they persisted in developing and implementing policies and programs that saved many lives.
I want to recognize Dr. Georges Benjamin for his work as the Executive Director of the American Public Health Association during the pandemic. A former city and state public health leader, he was a source of inspiration, scientific knowledge, and technical support for the entire field of public health, from students to frontline practitioners to state and local leaders.
