"Disease Knows No Politics"
The Lessons and Legacy from the Work and Life of Dr. Elias Zerhouni, former Director of the National Institutes of Health
A Zoom Conversation with Author Edward Kriz ’12
Dr. Elias Zerhouni is an extraordinary public servant with an inspiring life story. He came to America as an immigrant from Algeria and rose to become a preeminent world leader in science and medicine, including serving as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under President George W. Bush. With the assistance of Edward Kriz ’12, Dr. Zerhouni has crafted Disease Knows No Politics a book that is both a memoir and manifesto. Among his messages is the principle that “disease knows no politics” and that to the greatest extent possible, science and public health must be kept separate from partisan politics.
Dr. Zerhouni served as the 15th director of the NIH under President George W. Bush and as a presidential envoy for science and technology under President Barack Obama. In addition, he was a treating physician for President Ronald Reagan. Dr. Zerhouni has worked as a global health research senior fellow at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and served as president of research and development at Sanofi, a multinational pharmaceutical giant. He is currently Professor Emeritus Radiology and Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. He is the author of more than 200 publications, and an inventor whose research has saved countless patients with suspected lung or breast cancer from unnecessary surgeries and advanced the field of cardiovascular MRI. He’s an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine and the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, and a recipient of the Legion of Honour medal from the French National Order.
Edward Kriz will lead the program and reflect on Dr. Zerhouni’s remarkable life and journey as an immigrant in America. Edward will also discuss topical issues and themes referenced in the book, including the ongoing need to defend the NIH from political interference and the importance of immigrants in ensuring the promise of America’s future.
Disease Knows No Politics is a timely, inspirational medical and political memoir, and all who attend the program will be provided with a free chapter excerpt from the book. The memoir will be released on July 15, 2025. The memoir has been endorsed by Mike Bloomberg, Tony Fauci, Sudip Parikh (CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science), Tommy Thompson (former HHS Secretary), Harold Varmus (former NIH director), and countless other leaders in science and politics. The book is being published by Globe Pequot and distributed by Simon & Schuster. For more information or to preorder please visit: https://diseaseknowsnopolitics.com/.
Edward Kriz ’12 has ghostwritten for former university presidents, NIH directors, cabinet leaders, high-level CEOs, esteemed scientists, and accomplished physicians. Disease Knows No Politics marks his debut work of non-fiction. Edward majored in Creative Writing at Oberlin.
