“Like breathing, public health often goes unnoticed until it’s…

I’ve remained mostly quiet since stepping down as Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska and as president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. This time away has allowed me to listen, reflect, and look beyond the noise—to find where real change can occur.

But today, the final day of #Public Health Week, I would be remiss not to speak loudly and recognize the often unnoticed. To everyone who serves to improve the public’s health—THANK YOU. Whether you’re from state, tribal, local, or federal government, nonprofits, academia, or healthcare providers, you are all part of the fabric of public health.

Early in my career, public health seemed distant. Yet working in the emergency department taught me that it’s where you see all good public policy that has failed—and true patient care starts upstream, long before patients reach us.

During my training, I never saw measles, Haemophilus influenzae type b, or syphilis—because effective public health strategies had nearly eliminated these threats. But what I once took for granted, those public health victories, are sliding backward, and patients, communities, and families are paying the price.

Recently, I’ve seen diseases return due to weakened public health measures: syphilis resurgence, risks from unpasteurized milk, and fragile medical supply chains, rising cost of care. Public health addresses these issues proactively, protecting us quietly yet profoundly.

Like breathing, public health often goes unnoticed until it’s compromised.

So to everyone working in public health: thank you! You are seen even when the light is dim, the mountain is cold, and the journey is long. What you do matters.