The man who was the face of the United States response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Anthony Fauci, has announced his resignation as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Chief of the NIAID Laboratory of Immuno-regulation.
He will also step down as President Joe Biden’s Chief Medical Adviser.
Dr Fauci (pictured) said he would be leaving the positions in December “to pursue the next chapter of my career”.
“It has been the honour of a lifetime to have led the NIAID, an extraordinary institution, for so many years and through so many scientific and public health challenges,” Dr Fauci said
I am very proud of our many accomplishments.”
Dr Fauci has served as NIAID Director for 38 years, having been first appointed during the Administration of Ronald Reagan.
Disease threats during his time included HIV/AIDS, West Nile virus, the anthrax attacks, pandemic influenza, various bird influenza threats, Ebola and Zika, with COVID-19 and now monkeypox the most recent.
It was reported late last year that Dr Fauci could receive the largest Federal retirement package in US history, estimated at $US350,000 ($A509,000).
However, Dr Fauci insisted he was not retiring.
“After more than 50 years of Government service, I plan to pursue the next phase of my career while I still have so much energy and passion for my field,” he said.
“I want to use what I have learned as NIAID Director to continue to advance science and public health and to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientific leaders as they help prepare the world to face future infectious disease threats.”
Washington, 24 August 2022
