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Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH

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  • Former Director of the Center for Disease Control (2021-2023)
  • Former Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Former Professor, Harvard Medical School
  • Chair of the Office of AIDS Research Advisory Council at the NIH (2014-2015)

Former Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Dr. Rochelle Walensky is a renowned expert exploring the challenges and gifts of what it means for leaders, organizations, and the world to protect public health. Dr. Walensky was the chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and served as the 19th director of the CDC and the ninth administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Having received an M.D from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, she also trained in internal medicine and earned an MPH in clinical effectiveness from the Harvard School of Public Health in 2001. In the earliest part of the pandemic, Dr. Walensky served on the front lines, taking care of patients, serving on the Massachusetts General Hospital incident management team, and conducting research on vaccine deliver and strategies to reach underserved communities. Dr. Walensky’s tenure at the CDC began on January 20th, 2021, when she led the nation - and the world - through unprecedented times, facing the largest density of infectious threats likely ever seen in this country.

Dr. Walensky has worked to improve HIV screening and care in South Africa, led health policy initiatives, and researched clinical trial design and evaluation in a variety of settings. She was chair of the Office of AIDS Research Advisory Council at the National Institutes of Health from 2014 to 2015. She has also been a member of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents and had been co-director of the Medical Practice Evaluation Center at Massachusetts General Hospital since 2011 before assuming the position of CDC Director. She is currently current Menschel Fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Sought-after for her perspective on public health and crisis management, Dr. Walensky has spoken for groups including Boston University, Northeastern University, Bloomberg, Milken Institute, Aspen Ideas, and more.

 
Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH headshot
Past Hosts Include:
  • Northeastern University
  • Boston University
  • Aspen Ideas
  • World Health Organization
  • Joint Committee on UNAIDS
  • Bloomberg
  • Harvard University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Milken Institute
  • Health Care For All
“
The event last night was electrifying, and we are simply so grateful and humbled that Dr. Walensky could join us. She was so gracious, dynamic and engaged. I hope she had a great time!
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More rave reviews

"It has been an absolute pleasure working with the Harry Walker Agency to retain Dr. Walensky for our annual fundraising event. This year, we highlighted community engagement's power in public health matters and acknowledged our community groups. Dr. Walensky’s team captured our intended theme for the evening...She was present, engaged, and open to feedback. She was a delight to work with the night of the event; she was easy-going, pleasant, and gracious. We are tremendously grateful for her presence and look forward to having her join more of our events in the future."

-Healthcare for All
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Rochelle Walensky: What directing the CDC taught me about compassion | TEDxBerlin - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH
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Leadership in Unprecedented Times

When Dr. ROCHELLE WALENSKY joined the Centers for Disease Control as Director in 2021, she took on the intense challenge of leading the nation – and the world – through one of the direst public health crises in recent memory. With unparalleled tenacity, resilience, and commitment, Dr. Walensky shaped the nation’s response to the pandemic, and shares her vision for leadership in this compelling and inspiration talk.

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The Future of Public Health

In this talk, former CDC Director Dr. ROCHELLE WALENSKY discusses the domestic and global challenges facing governments, health officials, and leaders working to protect the public health. Having led the CDC during one of the most intense public health crises in recent memory, Dr. Walensky delivers a high-level assessment of the possibility of future pandemics, disease surveillance, environmental health, and more.

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The Health Threats of Our Changing Climate

In this compelling talk, Dr. ROCHELLE WALENSKY reveals how our changing climate represents one of the greatest challenges to health for the 21st century. While changing weather patterns and rising temperatures will result in increased risks of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, food insecurity, and threats to mental health and wellbeing, there is much we can do to prepare. Dr. Walensky shares leading edge ideas for the urgent steps needed to develop effective, long-term, and sustainable climate health action.

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Disruptive Innovation in Health Systems

Dr. ROCHELLE WALENSKY, former CDC director, expands on the internal improvements to the CDC’s structures, systems, and processes during her tenure. She delivers insights into healthcare management innovation as well as the implementation of new data collection and reporting processes at scale.

Biography
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