2009

Had our traditional New Years Eve dinner with the Gallin’s at their house this time together with Ali and Megan since we missed the real New Years Eve as I was in PR.

Hectically busy since returning from PR. Went to Philadelphia to receive the Silver Award Lectureship at Children’s Hospital of Penn (CHOP). Hosted by Steve Douglas. Kept me very busy with lecture, dinner at a great…

Dinner at the home (Villa Firenze on Albermarle Street, N.W.) Italian Ambassador to the USA Giovanni Castellenata and his wife Leila in honor of Dr. Enrico Garaci, the president of the Istituto Superiore della Sanita in…

Attended with Chris the Lido Civic Club Gala at the Capitol Hilton on 16th and K Streets, N.W. Have been going to these black tie Award Galas for a few years. It is where I met Gen. Peter Pace and Judge Sam Alito. Lido…

Comment on the firing of Mark Dybul as head of OGAC (Office of Global AIDS Coordinator) . It is a shame the way Mark was handled. I am attaching a NY Times article covering this. Mark is back in my office until his…

Had great time receiving the Science and Medicine Award at the 15th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Gala at Palm Springs, CA sponsored by the Desert AIDS Project It was an amazing and enjoyable glitzy affair at…

Over the past few weeks the stock market continues to plunge with no end in sight. The Dow is now at 6500 down from 14,000 in Oct., 2007. I have lost a SUBSTANTIAL portion of my savings including the money form HPIM…

Zuckerman Fellows reception at the home of Beth and Ron Dozoretz – 3005 – 45th Street, N.W. (around the corner from my house). Clear, nice night. Usual impressive event with Dave Gergon and Mort Zuckerman hosting the…

Very interesting dinner at Café Milano thrown by Catherine and Wayne Reynolds for about 10 – 12 couples in the private room. Unseasonably warm (70 F) and clear (stars and moon) night. Guests include Gen. George and…

Had my first entry into interactions with the new Administration. Background is that there have been recent reports of the terrible situation in Washington, D.C. regarding prevalence of HIV/AIDS with 3% of the…

San Francisco, CA Ladies and Gentlemen, friends of Marty Delaney, I feel extremely honored and privileged to be here to celebrate the life of Marty Delaney and to have been asked to express a few brief reflections about…

My Op-Ed on “Policy Cocktail for HIV” appeared in Washington Post. Got many nice comments. I am starting to get on the radar screen of the Obama people. April 17-18, 2009 – First cases of an “untypeable”influenza…

Had lunch at the Oval Room across from Lafayette Park with Michael Gerson (Washington Post, Council of Foreign relations) to catch up on some of the projects that I am involved in re; Global Health issues. Mike was very…

Testified with Rich Besser (CDC) at Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related Agencies with Tom Harkin as Chair. Went well. Great praise for me by…

Testified with Anne Schuchat (CDC) at the Senate HELP Committee with Sherrod Brown as Chair. Again, great praise for me for being there during crises such as AIDS, SARS, Anthrax, and bird flu by Sen. Mikulski, Brown…

Real problems with the HHS public affairs people – Jenny Backus. It is clear that I am being muzzled to speak to any major Press. Reasons unclear (see above). Big issue today in that on the NBC Today Show, which Jenny…

Testified before House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health with Anne Schuchat and a USAID person. May 6 – 16, 2009 – It is apparent that the epidemic is “stabilizing’ in that it is…

Went to Sons of Italy Awards Gala at the National Building Museum. Sat next to VP Joe Biden and his granddaughter Naomi who goes to Sidwell Friends. Also at table was his wife Jill (whose father is a Sicilian). Had nice…

Back to the West Wing of the White House for the first time since the Obama Administration began. Met in the Situation Room in meeting jointly run by Laura Petrou (COS for Sec. Sebelius) and Heidi Avery (HSC) to discuss…

Had an interesting day of H1N1 flu “stuff”. Harvey Fineberg and I constituted a panel that discussed the lesson of the Swine Flu affair in 1976 and its relationship to what is going on today with the swine H1N1 2009…

Another flu panel, this time at the AAAS at 12th and H Street, N.W. Chaired by Harvey Fineberg. Other panelists were Anne Schuchat, Ken Bernard and Ken Cole (US Navy). Good crowd, good discussion. War DC Summer day…

Participated as a major speaker at the “Flu Summit” held at NIH run by HHS. Speakers were Sec. Sebelius, Janet Napolitano, Arne Duncan (Education), John Brennan (HSC). Pres. Obama called in from the G-8 conference in…

Important meeting at the Pooks Hill Marriott to discuss the transformation of our AIDS clinical trials network into a network that would be “pluripotential” in that we would study a host of other diseases within the…

Senator Carl Levin called me to ask my advice about the qualifications and temperament of Tara O’Toole who has been nominated by Pres. Obama as an Assistant Secretary in the Dept. of Homeland Security. He is Chair of…

Went with Patty Conrad to the book signing of D.A. Henderson’s book on the history of smallpox eradication sponsored by Tommy Thompson of Aikin Gump (his law firm). Tommy was very moved that I was there and introduced…

I rolled out the NIAID plan for the clinical trials of H1N1 vaccine to be performed in the NIAID’s VTEUs. We will start in early August and do trials on healthy adults, elderly, children to determine immediate safety…

Had a nice appearance on MSNBC with Dr. Nancy Snyderman discussing H1N1 Swine flu. She was in Aspen (where I had just spent some time with her) and I was in the studio at NIH.

ACIP will recommend to CDC regarding vaccination program. I appeared on ABC World News Tonight

Big issue with release of data and paper in lancet showing that pregnant women have significant increased risk of hospitalization and death from flu. I appear on Good Morning America and MSNBC. On the latter, I spared…

Appeared on MSNBC today with Dr. Nancy Synderman and a vaccine nihilist named Diane Miller. She was a nerd who said we should not vaccinate anyone with flu vaccines since they do not work and they are dangerous. Nancy…

Got called by Mike Gerson who is getting very interested in needle exchange programs and will do a piece on it in The Washington Post.. He called from the mobile unit that goes around DC doing needle exchange. He was…

Mike Gerson wrote an editorial in the Washington Post describing his impression about the importance of needle exchange programs. He quoted his conversations with me. Also, Chris and I had dinner over Mark Dybul’s and…

Appeared on Diane Rehm show with Bruce Gellin discussing H1N1

First patients injected with H1N1 vaccine in NIAID sponsored VTEU clinical trials. Much media attention.

Appeared on Good Morning America to describe the H1N1 clinical trials. August 9 – 24, 2009 – Our clinical trials with the VETUs on the H1N1 vaccine in adults, elderly for dose (15 versus 30 ug) and number of doses (1 vs…

Went to State Department for swearing-in of Eric Goosby as the new head of the Office of Global AIDS Coordinator (PEPFAR+). Took place at 4:00 PM in Franklin Room, presided over by Secretary Hillary Clinton. She…

More good news. Pediatric H1N1 clinical trials showed good responses at 8 to 10 days with 1 dose of 15 ugs in kids 9 to 17 and lesser response in kids younger – just like seasonal flu vaccine. I led a press briefing.

Roll-out of the Thai trial results. 31.2% efficacy; p – 0.039. 16,000 in randomized trial in relatively low risk heterosexuals in Thailand. 74 infections in placebo, 51 infections in vaccines. Press ate it up. The usual…

Bono/U2 concert at FedEx stadium. Logistic disaster for me. I was invited by Bono to attend the concert and be present at a reception in the “Round Room” of the FedEx stadium before he was scheduled to go on at 8:30 PM…

Wonderful day at NIH. POTUS came in the AM with the Secretary, Bill Corr (Deputy Secretary) and Francis. Marston Linehan and I showed him a lab in the new CRC. First Marston spoke about the genetics of renal cancer and…

Chris and I had a great dinner in the Placido Domingo room of Café Milano as guests of Kathryn and Wayne Reynolds on the occasional of Derek and Beverly Joubert’s visit. They are award-winning film-makers for National…

Still extremely intensive media exposure with national media appearances a few times per week and heating up. Had dinner at Zeke Emanuel’s home in DC with Chris. Corby Kummer was there as was Rahm Emanuel and his…

Flew to NYC to give Parker Memorial Lecture to the Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology at Columbia Medical School. Gave the a4B7 lecture that was very well received.

FW: Heads-up!!!!!!FW: NICBR Coordination Cell (UNCLASSIFIED) — Cliff, I have mixed feeling about both of these people. You will remember as Kevin Anderson's predecessor at NBACC. At leasthe knows where the bodies are burried and felt the USAG…

Went to White House for top secret meeting and counterintelligence briefing by FBI and CIA. Apparently, Russians are monitoring the evolution of our Biodefense campus at Fort Detrick. As usual, a lot of soft stuff. I…

Take off to Paris with Patty Conrad for the 2009 AIDS Vaccine meeting of the IAS and Vaccine Enterprise. Extremely successful meeting in many ways. The RV144 (Thai trial) results were formerly presented coinciding with…

Reception and dinner in Georgetown 1692- 31st Street, N.W., hone of Susan and David Axelrod to view live the “60 Minutes” show about their ordeal with their daughter Lauren’s epilepsy that she has had from birth and…

Media Frenzy continues – Lou Dobbs, Campbell Brown (CNN), BBC

Extensive interview with Dan Rather for his Cable show “Dan Rather Reports”. Very nice person. We related well and he told his producer (Patty heard the conversation) that I was a “superstar”. Oct. 28-29, 2009 – Press…

I continue to be all over the press – last night CBS Evening News; today CBS Morning News to explain the complex issues of why we do not have a lot of vaccine at hand – the virus just is not growing very well in eggs…

Major House Appropriations briefing/Hearing chaired by David Obey. Witness – me, Tom Frieden (CDC), Niki Lurie (ASPR) and health commissioner from Alabama and ?. Tough questions by members and staff regarding…

Image and message issues continue to deteriorate when it was announced today that workers from Goldman Sachs, Citibank and other Wall Street firms had gotten H1N1 vaccine as pregnant women wait in line. The CDC is being…

CDC and HHS still getting hammered by the press because of the delay in availability of vaccine. Press frenzy continues. I am coming across relatively unscathed because of my long-standing credibility. Briefed the…

Pressure and press frenzy continues. Hurricane Ida flooding the mid- Atlantic. Been raining here with no real hurricane for days. Pre-taped the “Power Player” segment for FOX News that will show on Sunday – 11-15-09…

Two day of Science Management Working Group (SMWG) of which I am a member of the Intramural and Clinical Center Subcommittee. This evolved out of the NIH Reauthorization Act of 2006 to look at the structure and function…

More of the same. Things getting very testy with the press and the Republicans blasting the Administration as having another “Katrina” with the H1N1 flu. Still long lines and contradictory issues of ½ people do not want…

Presented my NIAID “update” to the Board of the AAAAI at the Hyatt Capitol Hill. Ali’s NCS Cross Country Team wins the Maryland State Championship. Ali is one of the Senior Captains of the Varsity of which she is one of…

Amazing Sunday. Appeared on NBC Today Show in the AM, Fox News highlighted me as “Player of the Week” with a several minute segment. Did “The Forum” with Dean Sam Lloyd at the National Cathedral. Big success with big…

Went to NYC to receive the Accordia Award for Public Service. This is the new version of the Infectious Diseases Institute started by merle Sande and funded by Pfizer. Mark Dybul, Julie Gerberding and others were there…

Had dinner with Chris over Francis and Diane Collins’s house with Regina Benjamin, the newly appointed Surgeon General. Pleasant, but I believe that she is going to be a non-entity. She is a bit over her head. The H1N1…

Went to NYC to give remarks at the Healthright international dinner at the Mandarin Hotel. My remarks were honoring Jonathan Mann. Gave a warm speech about him and his character. His daughter Naomi was there and was…

Briefed the Foreign Press Core on AIDS at the National Press Club.

Attended a World AIDS Day event at the White House (South Court Auditorium. Sec. Clinton and Sec. Sebelius were there as was Eric Goosby. They spoke about PEPFAR. Of note, striking difference from last year when anyone…

Had dinner with Peggy Hamburg at Indique Restaurant on Connecticut Avenue. Just to catch up on how she is doing as Commissioner of FDA. Really nice person; has not changed.

Went to Holiday Party at Sam and Jan Smith Donaldson’s home in McLean. Usual warm and enjoyable time. Chris was in Istanbul teaching a course in Bioethics and so I went alone. Usual cast of characters: Colin Powell…

Time Magazine came out with a list of the 10 most important Medical breakthroughs of 2009. #2 was an “AIDS Vaccine” (the Thai trial) and #4 was an H1N1 vaccine. Of note, I played a significant role in the development of…

Wonderful Holiday sit-down dinner party at the Academy of Achievement Town House on 16th Street (Black Tie) hosted by Wayne and Catherine Reynolds. Usual cast of stars at the dinner – Senators, Congressmen, Media, etc…

Holiday Season in full swing with parties, etc. Today parties at Nicki Lurie and Jesse Goodman’s; Bill Haseltine’s and Hugh and Mimi Auchincloss’s. Flu activity really slowing down with sharp drop in cases. More vaccine…

Gave big talk at CSIS on new treatment approaches to HIV/AIDS at their headquarters on 18th and K Streets, NW. Evening reception at Stone house for Julio Frenk. Good guy. I knew him slightly when he was Minister of…

Much activity at HHS level to get the “team” to work on pushing vaccine since much is now available. HHS is getting anxious (Jenny Backus, Laura Petrou, etc.) about possible “end-of-the-year” news stories that might…

Continuing on with the HHS push to try to get a final positive spin for end of 2009 on our response to H1N1. They arranged a Press Briefing at the National Press Club with me, Secretary Sebelius, Tom Frieden, Peggy…

Traditional “great” dinner for my birthday at sister Denise’s home. Over the years, Jenny, Megan and Ali have come to treasure this tradition similar to some of the family traditions that Denise and I treasured like…

Lunch at the White House mess with Heidi Avery. She is Deputy to John Brennan at the National Security Council at the White House. She is former CIA and Counter Terrorist Unit Chief. She want to talk to me about how we…