Walter is a surgeon and public health economist who currently works with the CDC’s Center for Global Health. While in Kenya, he spearheaded a program to promote circumcision as a tool to fight the spread of HIV. Walter was drawn to this work after losing four of his 19 siblings to HIV. His current focus is on how global health programs can succeed with limited resources in a challenging political climate. His goal is to ensure that young mothers have a healthier life than his own mother, who died when Walter was 16. “Like any marathon, there is tremendous enthusiasm at the beginning of the race and everyone is supportive. The true test comes mid-race, when the pain sets in and the non-believers drop off.” Walter says that “public health programming is a marathon. Clarity of, and dedication to the end goals are vital.”
