Dr. Anthony Fauci’s recent discussion at the School of Professional Studies (SPS), hosted by M.S. in Bioethics Program Director Robert Klitzman, offered insights into his storied career, reflections on the state of public health, and a resounding message throughout: “Evidence is what counts.”
Five years after COVID-19 began to spread, the world is still grappling with the multiple effects of the pandemic. Given Dr. Fauci’s crucial roles in fostering research and shaping public health policy, wrestling with multiple bioethical dilemmas, the Bioethics program invited him to participate in a fireside chat covering a range of topics.
An Impactful Career in Public Health
Reflecting on his 54 years in public service, Dr. Fauci shared some of his most significant accomplishments and challenges. He highlighted one early effort as one of his greatest achievements but also one of the most difficult decisions of his career. “When I first saw the morbidity and mortality weekly report in the summer of 1981, the first cases of what would turn out to be HIV, I made a decision that was described by my mentors as being a career-ending decision,” explained Fauci. He bravely made the switch from a very successful career in autoimmunity and autoinflammatory diseases to studying an emerging disease that at the time did not even have an official name. This work led to his role as principal architect of President George W. Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which in its 21 years has saved nearly 25 million lives.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Fauci again navigated an unprecedented public health crisis while combating misinformation and political interference. His public disagreements with President Donald J. Trump over false claims about the virus drew significant criticism, but his commitment to the truth stood firm: “I felt very strongly about it. It isn’t as if there was any doubt about what I had to do. I had to fulfill my responsibility to the American public.”
Fighting Misinformation with Facts
Much of the conversation centered on Dr. Fauci’s concern for the current state of public health and the politicization of science. During the COVID-19 pandemic, “we were faced with a particularly bad combination: the worst outbreak in over 100 years, just when the country was almost at war with each other instead of the common enemy, which was the virus.”
He also highlighted how the rise in misinformation and disinformation through social media has exacerbated these divides. On controversial topics like bird flu and gain-of-function research, Dr. Fauci is determined to fight against false information with facts. “As it turns out, the number of hospitalizations and deaths, tragically, is higher in red states than in blue states. That should never, ever happen, where the health of someone and their family is compromised by decisions on health issues that are made because of a political ideology,” he emphasized.
Looking Ahead: A Light at the End of the Tunnel
Despite these challenges, Dr. Fauci expressed hope for the future of public health.
He hailed the rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine—completed in 11 months as opposed to the usual 7 to 10 years—as a testament to the progress of the field. However, he stressed the need to modernize public health infrastructure to ensure equitable access to these advancements. This requires collaboration across local, state, and federal institutions because, as Dr. Klitzman pointed out, “viruses don’t know state borders.”
Dr. Fauci also called for public cooperation. In a time of political animosity, we all need to be more understanding and respectful and to let facts, data, and evidence inform decisions. The fight against misinformation requires a collective, energetic effort to share and amplify evidence-based knowledge.
Dr. Fauci urged young aspiring public health professionals attending the forum not to get discouraged by today’s turmoil. The field continues advancing, and so many opportunities that we never dreamed of are now possible. Integrity and fundamental public health principles are your most valuable tools, Fauci said. His final message was simple but powerful: “You’ve got a great future ahead of you, so go for it.”
About the Program
Columbia University’s Master of Science in Bioethics grounds students in interdisciplinary approaches and models to address pressing bioethical challenges such as stem cell research and health-care reform. The program prepares students to act as responsible and responsive leaders in this new and ever-growing field. It also includes a concentration in global bioethics—the first of its kind in the U.S. Columbia’s Bioethics program offers a range of degrees and courses.
The fall 2025 application deadline for the M.S. in Bioethics program is June 1. Learn more about the program—which is available full-time and part-time, online and on-campus—here.
