William Henry Foege

Dr. William Henry Foege, a towering figure in global public health and the architect of the strategy that eradicated smallpox, passed away on January 24, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 89 years old.

Widely regarded as one of the most consequential physicians of the 20th century, Dr. Foege’s career was defined by his innovative approach to disease containment and his relentless optimism in the face of global health crises. He is best known for devising the "ring vaccination" strategy while working as a missionary doctor in Nigeria in the 1960s. This revolutionary method—vaccinating only those in close contact with infected individuals rather than entire populations—stretched limited vaccine supplies and became the key to eradicating smallpox, which the World Health Organization declared eliminated in 1980.

Dr. Foege served as the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 1977 to 1983. During his tenure, he guided the agency through the crisis of toxic shock syndrome and the early, confusing days of the AIDS epidemic. His leadership extended far beyond government service; he was a co-founder of the Task Force for Global Health, served as Executive Director of The Carter Center, and was a senior fellow at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he helped shape modern global health philanthropy.

Standing 6-foot-7, Dr. Foege was a physical and moral giant in his field. In 2012, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama, who cited his "leadership in overcoming seemingly insurmountable health challenges." Despite his monumental achievements, he was known for his humility, often insisting that "credit is infinitely divisible."

Dr. Foege leaves behind a legacy measured not just in accolades, but in the millions of lives saved through his work. He is survived by his wife, Paula, and their family.