Dr Anthony Fauci, an eminent US doctor and scientist, has been honoured with the Stearne Medal for his remarkable commitment to public health by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. The award was presented by Dr Diarmuid O’Shea, president of the Royal College, and Tánaiste Micheál Martin, in a ceremony in Dublin on Wednesday.
Dr Fauci’s career involves forty years of battling infectious diseases. As the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022, his groundbreaking research in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of both long-standing and emergent diseases has been crucial.
The counsel provided by Dr Fauci has influenced the decision-making of seven US head of states. He executed groundbreaking work on HIV/AIDS, and recently, he worked diligently on the Covid-19 pandemic.
This is the maiden visit of Dr Fauci and his wife Dr Christine Grady, whose ancestral origin ties back to Clare and Sligo in Ireland, to the country.
Dr Fauci was virtually made a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in 2021 during the pandemic. “Dr Fauci is an ideal for doctors globally,” Dr.O’Shea articulated, accentuating that his work is present in the study materials of numerous medical students globally, making him one of the world’s most quoted scientific researchers.
According to Dr O’Shea, his relentless work to push the boundaries of medical science saved countless lives, and his grit, leadership, and vehement support for science will remain a motivation for future health care professionals. He added that Dr Fauci’s persistent advocacy for evidence-based practices in a time fraught with widespread misinformation and scepticism has greatly influenced public health policies and saved lives.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin recognized Dr Fauci’s devotion to public health at one of Ireland’s leading scientific institutions, stating, “The Covid-19 pandemic has reiterated the defining role scientific research and collaboration have in protecting public health and bolstering the robustness of our societies.”
Dr Fauci is the eighth award recipient of the Stearne Medal since its establishment in 1979. The medal, named after the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland’s founding president, John Stearne, commends distinguished individuals who have considerably contributed to Irish medical advancements.