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Thomas R. Frieden

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Thomas R. Frieden
NameThomas R. Frieden
Birth date7 March 1960
Birth placeNew York City, New York, U.S.
EducationOberlin College (BA), Columbia University (MD, MPH)
OccupationPhysician, public health administrator
Known forDirector of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
SpouseBarbara Frieden

Thomas R. Frieden is an American physician and public health administrator renowned for his evidence-based leadership in combating major health threats. He served as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2009 to 2017, guiding the agency's response to crises like the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the emergence of Zika virus. Previously, as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, he pioneered aggressive policies against smoking and trans fat. His career has been defined by a focus on epidemiology, preventive healthcare, and strengthening public health infrastructure globally.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, he attended Oberlin College, graduating with a degree in biology. He then earned both a Doctor of Medicine and a Master of Public Health from Columbia University, completing his residency in internal medicine at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. His training included a fellowship in infectious diseases at the Yale School of Medicine, solidifying his expertise in epidemiology and public health practice.

Career at the CDC

Frieden first joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer in 1990. He was assigned to New York City, where he led the successful containment of a major multidrug-resistant tuberculosis outbreak in the early 1990s, a response later studied as a model for public health intervention. From 1995 to 2002, he worked in India, assisting the Indian government in revitalizing its National Tuberculosis Control Programme, which became one of the world's most effective.

Director of the CDC

Appointed by President Barack Obama, he led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2009 to 2017. His tenure was marked by responses to high-profile threats, including the 2009 swine flu pandemic, the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and the Zika virus epidemic. He championed initiatives like the Tips From Former Smokers campaign and advanced the use of data through programs like the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. He also emphasized global health security, working with the World Health Organization and partners to strengthen capacities under the Global Health Security Agenda.

Post-CDC career and initiatives

After leaving the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he became president and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative of the global health organization Vital Strategies. This initiative focuses on preventing cardiovascular disease epidemics and strengthening global defenses against epidemics and pandemics. He has been a prominent commentator during the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for robust public health measures. He also holds a senior fellowship at the Council on Foreign Relations and has published extensively in journals like The Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine.

Awards and recognition

His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the CDC Foundation's Champion of Prevention Award. He has received honorary doctorates from institutions like the University of Massachusetts and the State University of New York. He is a recipient of the American Public Health Association's Award for Excellence and has been named to lists such as TIME's 100 Most Influential People.

Personal life

He is married to Barbara Frieden, and they have two children. He maintains a residence in New York City and is known for his dedication to cycling, both as a personal fitness activity and as an advocacy point for urban health.

Category:American epidemiologists Category:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials Category:Columbia University alumni Category:1960 births Category:Living people