Dr. Anthony Fauci, well-known for being the national COVID-19 advisor during the Trump and Biden administrations, has taken up a new post after retiring from federal service in December. The 82-year-old infectious diseases expert has secured an esteemed role at Georgetown University in Washington, as the institution announced on Monday.
Fauci will begin his role as the “Distinguished University Professor in the School of Medicine’s Department of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases” on Saturday. In addition, he will also be affiliated with the University’s McCourt School of Public Policy.
Georgetown President John J. DeGioia expressed his excitement about welcoming Fauci to the institution. He praised Fauci as a devoted public servant, a humanitarian, and a visionary leader in global health. He stated, “Dr. Fauci has embodied the Jesuit value of being in service to others throughout his career, and we are grateful to have his expertise, strong leadership, and commitment to guiding the next generation of leaders to meet the pressing issues of our time.”
Fauci referred to choosing Georgetown amidst other offers as a “no-brainer.” He noted his preference for a role that involved teaching, giving lectures about government, and maintaining a research connection. For him, Georgetown seemed to fulfill these criteria perfectly. He commented, “I feel like I’m coming home.”
Speaking of his intentions at this stage in his career, Fauci expressed a desire to offer his experience and inspire the younger generation of students. He emphasized the opportunity to make a significant societal contribution outside the lab.
Fauci’s connection with Georgetown isn’t just about the proximity to his home and familial ties. A Twitter post pointed to a report from the National Institutes of Health showing that it provided more than $50 million in funding to Georgetown in the 2022 federal fiscal year. Fauci, of course, directed NAIAD, a part of the NIH, from 1984 to 2022.
However, not all social media reactions were positive, with some critics pointing to Fauci’s controversial history with the coronavirus and the pandemic.
In a statement, Fauci expressed his delight to join Georgetown, praising its clinical and academic excellence and the Jesuit tradition of public service. He regarded this move as a natural extension of his scientific, clinical, and public health career, which was initially shaped by the intellectual rigor, integrity, and service-mindedness of Jesuit institutions.
In a past quote from 2020, Fauci encouraged Georgetown students to trust respected medical authorities, considering himself as one. He emphasized the importance of truth, scientific evidence, and good data in the realm of medical policy and recommendations. Now, he’ll have the chance to instill these values directly as a faculty member at the university.
