description Tom Frieden Overview
Tom Frieden is an American physician and epidemiologist who served as the Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 2009 to 2017. During his tenure, he oversaw the agency's responses to major public health crises, including the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak and the Zika virus epidemic. Before joining the CDC, Frieden was the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health, where he implemented bans on smoking in public spaces.
He later founded the global health initiative Resolve to Save Lives.
insights Ranking position
Tom Frieden ranks #125 of 150 in the Physician ranking, behind Thomas Addison, ahead of Richard Bright.
help Tom Frieden FAQ
Which major outbreaks did Tom Frieden face while leading the CDC?
Frieden directed the CDC from 2009 to 2017, a period that included the H1N1 influenza pandemic, the 2014 West African Ebola epidemic, and the emergence of Zika. The Ebola response included both overseas work and management of imported cases in the United States.
What did Tom Frieden do before becoming CDC director?
He served as New York City's health commissioner from 2002 to 2009 and previously worked on tuberculosis control in New York and India. That background made infectious-disease control and measurable public-health programs central to his CDC leadership.
What organization did Tom Frieden start after leaving the CDC?
In 2017 he became president and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives. The organization works with governments on cardiovascular health, epidemic preparedness, and disease surveillance in more than 60 countries.
Is Tom Frieden mainly a hospital physician or a public-health specialist?
He is a physician trained in internal medicine and infectious diseases, but most of his career has centered on population-level public health. His senior posts at the New York City health department, CDC, and Resolve to Save Lives involved programs affecting cities, countries, and international partners.
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