Dr. Jay Varma: Public Health's Unsung Hero

I first met Dr. Jay Varma in 2003, when we were both working on the SARS outbreak in Toronto. I was immediately struck by his intelligence, dedication, and compassion. He was always willing to go the extra mile to help others, and he always had a positive attitude, even when things were tough.
In 2014, I was honored to work with Dr. Varma again, this time on the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Once again, he was a tireless advocate for the people we were trying to help. He worked long hours in difficult conditions, and he never gave up hope.
Dr. Varma is a true public health hero. He has dedicated his life to protecting the health of others, and he has made a real difference in the world. I am proud to call him a friend and a colleague.
Dr. Jay Varma is an epidemiologist and public health expert who has served in various leadership roles in the United States government. He is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of SIGA Technologies.
Varma was born in India and raised in the United States. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and his Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
Varma began his career in public health as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He later served as the Director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention at the CDC. In 2011, he was appointed as the Deputy Commissioner for Disease Control at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In this role, he was responsible for the city's response to the Ebola outbreak in 2014.
Varma left the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in 2017 to join the faculty of the Weill Cornell Medical College. He was also appointed as the Director of the Cornell Center for Pandemic Prevention and Response. In 2020, he was appointed as the Senior Public Health Advisor to the Mayor of New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Varma is a leading expert on public health emergencies. He has written extensively on topics such as pandemic preparedness, disease surveillance, and outbreak response. He is also a frequent speaker at national and international conferences.
Varma is a dedicated public health servant who has made significant contributions to the field. He is a role model for aspiring public health professionals and an inspiration to all who work to protect the health of others.