They Fought Outbreaks Worldwide. Now They’re Fighting for New Lives.

The article profiles four infectious disease specialists who lost their jobs during the Trump administration, despite their efforts to combat global outbreaks. These experts had worked tirelessly to prevent and mitigate pandemics, but their positions were eliminated as part of the administration's restructuring. One specialist, Dr. Lara Jirmanus, had helped respond to the Ebola crisis in West Africa and worked to improve global health security. Another, Dr. Luciana Borio, had warned about the threat of a pandemic prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. The article also features Dr. Benhur Lee, who had collaborated with international teams to study emerging infectious diseases, and Dr. Dennis Carroll, who had led the U.S. Agency for International Development's pandemic prevention efforts. The article highlights the valuable expertise and experience these professionals brought to the fight against global health threats, and their disappointment at being sidelined despite their proven track record of success.