Monday, August 22, 2022

TODAY IS THE DAY! I announce that I will be stepping down from the NIH as well as from my position as chief medical adviser to the president effective December, 2022. There has been a literal avalanche of positive feedback about my announcement with hundreds and hundreds of texts and emails of congratulation and praise for me. President has come out with a statement as have a number of other prominent individuals. See the president statement below: Statement from President Joe Biden on the announcement of Dr. Anthony Fauci’s Departure from NIAID AUGUST 22, 2022•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES During my time as Vice President, I worked closely with Dr. Anthony Fauci on the United States’ response to Zika and Ebola. I came to know him as a dedicated public servant, and a steady hand with wisdom and insight honed over decades at the forefront of some of our most dangerous and challenging public health crises. When it came time to build a team to lead our COVID-19 response – in fact, in one of my first calls as President-elect – I immediately asked Dr. Fauci to extend his service as my Chief Medical Advisor to deal with the COVID-19 crisis our nation faced. In that role, I’ve been able to call him at any hour of the day for his advice as we’ve tackled this once-in-a-generation pandemic. His commitment to the work is unwavering, and he does it with an unparalleled spirit, energy, and scientific integrity. Dr. Fauci has served under seven Republican and Democratic Presidents during his career, beginning with Ronald Reagan. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008 under President George W. Bush. For almost four decades, he has served as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, helping our country navigate health crises ranging from HIV/AIDS to COVID-19. Because of Dr. Fauci’s many contributions to public health, lives here in the United States and around the world have been saved. As he leaves his position in the U.S. Government, I know the American people and the entire world will continue to benefit from Dr. Fauci’s expertise in whatever he does next. Whether you’ve met him personally or not, he has touched all Americans’ lives with his work. I extend my deepest thanks for his public service. The United States of America is stronger, more resilient, and healthier because of him. Statement of Sec. Becerra: Statement by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on Upcoming Departure of Dr. Anthony S. Fauci Today, Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. announced he is stepping down in December 2022 from the positions of Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Chief of the NIAID Laboratory of Immunoregulation, as well as Chief Medical Advisor to the President. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra issued the following statement: “This is a decision we all knew would eventually come but hoped never would. As HHS Secretary, I am privileged to know Dr. Fauci professionally and personally and deeply admire his decades of public service that have undoubtedly improved the health of millions of people globally. When I arrived at HHS, the world was one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. I quickly came to rely on Dr. Fauci’s wisdom and counsel in our response, and along with his scientific acumen, I treasure his ability to break down complex science in simple terms to the American people to save lives. “His selfless passion to bring hope and healing to people fighting for their health knows no bounds. In fact, Dr. Fauci’s pioneering approach to tackle public health decades ago included a critical role in our nation’s domestic and international response to HIV/AIDS, ultimately helping create the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. “I will be sorry to see Dr. Fauci depart in December, but I wish him all the best in his future endeavors and look forward to witnessing his next chapter.” Larry Tabak statement: Statement from Lawrence A. Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D., on the departure of Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Today marks the end of an era with the announcement by Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., that he will be stepping down as the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Chief of the NIAID Laboratory of Immunoregulation, and Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden. Tony’s departure will cause a tectonic shift in the modern history of the National Institutes of Health. He is the model public servant — dedicated and selfless, and a brilliant scientist and physician who is passionate about developing treatments and cures for those who are sick and suffering. He has dedicated his life’s work to advancing knowledge about the causes of complex diseases ranging from HIV to asthma, rarely satisfied with anything less than a cure. For Tony, it’s personal. He works tirelessly on behalf of all patients, often at great personal expense, and always bringing his Brooklyn tenacity to the fight. I know of no one more dedicated than Tony to the mission of the NIH and the health of the American people. Tony’s NIH career spans 54 years, 38 of those leading NIAID, advising seven U.S. Presidents, and reassuring the public as America’s doctor during outbreaks of infectious diseases, from HIV to Ebola to COVID-19. Without exception, he is always guided by the science. It’s been an extraordinary privilege and honor to have worked by his side and to have learned so much from him — I will miss him greatly. But I also look forward to seeing what Tony will do next. I have no doubt that he will continue to have an enormous impact on the world. Lawrence A. Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D. Performing the Duties of the NIH Director Ashish K. Jha, MD, MPH @AshishKJha46 Tony Fauci is the most consequential physician scientist of the past half century Having served 7 Presidents through HIV/AIDS, Anthrax, H1N1, Ebola, Zika, and of course COVID Thousands consider him their mentor, including me Grateful for your service to our country Dr. Fauci Ronald Klain @WHCOS I cannot think of a public servant who has done as much to save as many lives for as long a period as Dr. Tony Fauci. And he is a gem of a person. Tweet See new Tweets Conversation Barack Obama @BarackObama I will always be grateful that we had a once-in-a-century public health leader to guide us through a once-in-acentury pandemic. Few people have touched more lives than Dr. Fauci – and I’m glad he’s not done yet. PRESS: Beautiful article in the Washington Post by Yasmeen Abutaleb: Fauci plans to step down in December after half a century in government By Yasmeen Abutaleb Updated August 22, 2022 at 2:20 p.m. EDT|Published August 22, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. EDT NY Times by Cheryl Gay Stolberg: Fauci Says He Will Step Down in December to Pursue His ‘Next Chapter’ MSNBC with Rachel Maddow (Rachel was extremely laudatory)