As I write this, I am profoundly saddened to have learned of Dr. Paul Farmer’s untimely death. I’m sure that many of you are also familiar with Dr. Farmer and his work as a world-renowned infectious disease doctor, anthropologist, global health advocate, and author.
If you are just now learning about him, I hope this introduction will compel you to discover more, think deeply, and be inspired by the work of Partners in Health (PIH), the organization Dr. Farmer imagined and helped to create.
I didn’t know Paul Farmer, but I sincerely wish I had. I did, however, have the privilege of hearing him speak, and I’ve read (twice now) author Tracy Kidder’s book about him: Mountains Beyond Mountains, The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World. The book moved me so deeply that I even wrote a newsletter about it back in 2010.
The Partners in Health website states Dr. Farmer’s belief:
INJUSTICE HAS A CURE
We believe quality health care is a universal human right.
Around the world, we fight injustice by providing care first to those who need it most.
If you visit the PIH website, you will see facts and figures about their programs and reach. The most compelling among them are pictures and stories of actual people the group has helped.
The website displays simple data and images to communicate powerful stories that raise our awareness about the most vulnerable among us. In the words of anthropologist Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world…”
Make a Difference
I hope you may also find inspiration for the critical work you do. I am by no means as brilliant and driven as Dr. Farmer was — almost none of us are.
But his example has always inspired me to use my education and experience in data and information to understand the health of our communities, and to find ways we can improve the care we deliver.
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