March 30th: Dr. Fauci & Marylou Sudders

Today, our #351GratitudeMoment tributes Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Secretary Marylou Sudders, the Commonwealth's Secretary of Health and Human Services. Each of these brilliant individuals is providing critical leadership in the face of greatest challenge.

Dr. Fauci serves on President Trump's Coronavirus task force and is considered a public health hero -- serving six Presidents. The LA Times wrote, "The simple reality is that when it comes to the science behind outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, there are few experts equal to Fauci. The 79-year-old has been at the forefront of the federal responses to a series of viruses that have threatened the nation, including Ebola and two recent coronavirus outbreaks." Dr. Fauci's fact-based, steady, and humane wisdom has served as essential narrative for our country's path toward hope and healing.

Secretary Sudders, leads 12 agencies and MassHealth, and now, the state’s coronavirus command center. Under her leadership, the center has a vast and critical mission including medical response and care, expansion of testing capacity, and quarantine operations.

Secretary Sudders also innovates to address greatest need. With Governor Baker, the Secretary engaged four Massachusetts medical schools to graduate students early to help fight the coronavirus. And, engages a "manufacturing response team" to mobilize companies to leverage their expertise and equipment to produce greatly needed gear and masks.

This national crisis has rightly shined the light on leaders like Dr. Fauci and Secretary Sudders, who deserve great admiration for their public service on any day. Within the new context of our world, their brilliance, effectiveness, and humanity inspire even greater awe and deeper appreciation.

We dedicate this #351GratitudeMoment to them and to the teams of extraordinary professionals and public servants with whom they serve. We are deeply indebted to them.