Dr. Gounder: A Career at the Intersection of Medicine and Public Health
Bridging the gap between clinical practice and public awareness, Dr. Gounder has built a multifaceted career dedicated to combating infectious diseases and improving global health outcomes. From conducting high-impact research in sub-Saharan Africa to advising the highest levels of the U.S. government, her work spans the realms of academia, government service, and media.
Early Career and Public Health Research
Dr. Gounder began her professional journey as a post-doctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. During this period, she focused her research on the intersection of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Her leadership capabilities were quickly recognized as she served as the Director for Delivery in the Consortium to Respond Effectively to the AIDS/TB Epidemic, a critical initiative funded by the Gates Foundation.
Following her work in Africa, she transitioned to urban public health by joining the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she worked specifically on the control of tuberculosis within the city.
Transition to Medical Journalism and Storytelling
In 2018, Dr. Gounder shifted her focus to address systemic health issues through the lens of a medical journalist while continuing to practice medicine part-time. Her expertise led her to the editorial advisory board of TEDMED, and her writing on infectious diseases and various medical topics has been featured in prestigious publications such as The New Yorker and The Atlantic. She has also utilized television news and talk shows to bring medical insights to a broader audience.
To further amplify the impact of health narratives, she founded Just Human Productions in 2017. This nonprofit media organization leverages storytelling to influence public health. Through this venture, she produced the podcast American Diagnosis, which explores a wide array of health topics.
COVID-19 Response and Academic Contributions
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic saw Dr. Gounder pivot her media efforts toward urgent public education. She created the podcast Epidemic, which she co-hosted alongside Ron Klain, an advisor to the Biden Administration.
Her expertise in pandemic management led to a significant appointment on November 9, 2020, when she was named a member of the COVID-19 Advisory Board for U.S. President-elect Joe Biden.
In addition to her advisory and media roles, Dr. Gounder contributes to the training of future physicians as an assistant professor at the NYU medical school, a position she has held since 2021.
Key Facts
- Academic Role: Assistant Professor at NYU medical school (since 2021).
- Government Service: Member of President-elect Joe Biden's COVID-19 Advisory Board.
- Media Ventures: Founder of Just Human Productions and creator of the podcasts American Diagnosis and Epidemic.
- Research Focus: Specialized in TB and HIV, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Publications: Contributor to The New Yorker and The Atlantic.
| Period/Year | Organization/Role | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Early Career | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health | TB and HIV research in sub-Saharan Africa |
| Post-Fellowship | NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene | Tuberculosis control |
| 2017 | Just Human Productions | Nonprofit health storytelling |
| 2018 | TEDMED / Medical Journalism | Editorial advisory and health writing |
| 2020 | Biden COVID-19 Advisory Board | Pandemic response strategy |
| 2021 | NYU Medical School | Assistant Professor |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Just Human Productions?
Just Human Productions is a nonprofit media organization founded by Dr. Gounder in 2017 that uses storytelling to create a positive impact on public health.
Which podcasts has Dr. Gounder produced?
She produced American Diagnosis, which covers diverse health topics, and Epidemic, a podcast focused on COVID-19 co-hosted with Ron Klain.
What was Dr. Gounder's role during the transition of the U.S. presidency in 2020?
On November 9, 2020, she was appointed as a member of the COVID-19 Advisory Board for President-elect Joe Biden.
Where did Dr. Gounder conduct her early research on TB and HIV?
She conducted this research as a post-doctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa.
In which publications has Dr. Gounder written?
She has published articles regarding infectious diseases and other medical subjects in The New Yorker and The Atlantic.