William Schaffner
William Schaffner
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
William Schaffner is a renowned American physician and epidemiologist.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on December 3, 1934, in New York City. Still alive as of this writing.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Schaffner holds United States nationality and is a medical doctor by profession, with expertise in infectious diseases and epidemiology.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in New York City during the Great Depression had a profound impact on Schaffner's perspective. He developed an interest in medicine at a young age, which led him to study pre-med at Columbia University. After completing his medical degree, he went on to pursue a career in infectious diseases.
Major Accomplishments
Schaffner has made significant contributions to the field of public health and infectious diseases. Some notable achievements include:
Leading efforts to combat vaccine-preventable diseases: Schaffner has been at the forefront of advocating for widespread vaccination against diseases like measles, mumps, and whooping cough.
Advancing our understanding of antibiotic resistance: His research has shed light on the pressing issue of antibiotic overuse and its consequences for public health.
Pioneering work in infectious disease modeling: Schaffner's work has helped develop mathematical models to predict the spread of infectious diseases, informing strategies for control and prevention.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions of William Schaffner include:
Authoring influential books on infectious diseases: His publications have provided valuable insights into the complexities of infectious disease management.
Testifying before Congress on public health matters: Schaffner has shared his expertise with policymakers, shaping decisions that impact public health.Impact and Legacy
Schaffner's contributions to the field of infectious diseases have had a lasting impact. His tireless advocacy for vaccines and antibiotic stewardship has saved countless lives and improved public health outcomes worldwide.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
William Schaffner is widely quoted and remembered due to his:
Expertise in infectious disease prevention: As a leading voice on vaccine-preventable diseases, he has been frequently sought out by media outlets for commentary.
* Commitment to public health policy: His testimony before Congress has helped shape policies that prioritize the well-being of communities worldwide.
Quotes by William Schaffner
We’re very prepared: Infection-control people in hospitals over the past two months have been reviewing all their infection- control procedures because we anticipated just this sort of thing happening-a person coming from West Africa, they were healthy at the time they traveled, but got sick here.
The supportive care that we're able to provide in the United States is so much better, so much more sophisticated, than what's available in West Africa. ... So we can move that needle of survival way down. Even Doctors Without Borders in West Africa are moving the fatality rate from 50 percent down to 30 percent-I bet we can do substantially better than that here.
We're very prepared: Infection-control people in hospitals over the past two months have been reviewing all their infection- control procedures because we anticipated just this sort of thing happening-a person coming from West Africa, they were healthy at the time they traveled, but got sick here.
Even Doctors Without Borders in West Africa are moving the fatality rate from 50 percent down to 30 percent-I bet we can do substantially better than that here.
The kids were giving the hepatitis A virus to mom, dad and Uncle Tom. And so if they didn't get the disease, the parents were protected.
The committee decided there was no way to drive that bus, ... There's no organized way to do it. We don't have the influenza police.
The ultimate take-home line was that even a partially effective vaccine is an important part of the strategy.
It's not a light switch, that three days after you take it, you're back to doing pushups and running,
It's the sort of story you could tell high-school students to get them excited about science.