Paul Farmer is a renowned medical doctor, anthropologist, and humanitarian who has dedicated his life to providing healthcare to impoverished communities around the world. Born in Massachusetts in 1959, Farmer grew up in a working-class family and was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after witnessing the devastating effects of poverty on his own community.
After earning his undergraduate degree from Duke University, Farmer went on to attend Harvard Medical School, where he also earned a PhD in anthropology. During his time in medical school, Farmer became involved in international health issues and began traveling to developing countries to provide medical care to those in need.
In 1987, Farmer co-founded Partners In Health (PIH), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healthcare to impoverished communities around the world. Through PIH, Farmer has established healthcare programs in Haiti, Peru, Rwanda, and other countries, providing life-saving medical treatment to some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
In addition to his work with PIH, Farmer has also served as a professor of medical anthropology at Harvard University and as a chief of the Division of Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
Despite his tremendous contributions to global health, Paul Farmer is not a wealthy man. He has always lived a modest lifestyle and has never sought to profit from his humanitarian work. In fact, Farmer has been known to donate much of his own income to support PIH’s programs and to provide financial assistance to the communities he serves.
While Farmer’s work has earned him many awards and accolades, including the MacArthur “Genius” Grant and the National Humanities Medal, his true wealth lies in the countless lives he has touched and the communities he has transformed through his tireless dedication to improving global health.
Here is a timeline of the life and work of Paul Farmer:
- 1959: Paul Farmer is born in North Adams, Massachusetts.
- 1982: Farmer graduates from Duke University with a degree in anthropology.
- 1984: Farmer enters Harvard Medical School.
- 1987: Farmer co-founds Partners In Health (PIH) with Ophelia Dahl, Thomas J. White, and Todd McCormack.
- 1990: Farmer earns a PhD in medical anthropology from Harvard University.
- 1993: Farmer publishes his first book, “AIDS and Accusation: Haiti and the Geography of Blame,” which explores the social and cultural dimensions of the AIDS epidemic in Haiti.
- 1994: Farmer begins working in Rwanda, where he helps to establish PIH’s first project outside of Haiti.
- 1996: Farmer is appointed as a professor of medical anthropology at Harvard University.
- 1998: Farmer publishes “Infections and Inequalities: The Modern Plagues,” which examines the social and economic factors that contribute to the spread of infectious diseases.
- 2003: Farmer is awarded a MacArthur “Genius” Grant for his work with PIH.
- 2003: Farmer co-founds the nonprofit organization Partners In Health Engage, which seeks to engage young people in global health issues.
- 2005: Farmer is appointed as the UN Deputy Special Envoy for Haiti, where he helps to coordinate the country’s recovery from a devastating earthquake.
- 2009: Farmer is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
- 2012: Farmer is appointed as the Chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
- 2017: Farmer publishes his most recent book, “Fevers, Feuds, and Diamonds: Ebola and the Ravages of History,” which explores the historical and social factors that contributed to the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
5 interesting facts about Paul Farmer:
- He has been described as a “medical rock star” and has been featured in numerous documentaries and films, including the award-winning documentary “Bending the Arc” and the best-selling book “Mountains Beyond Mountains” by Tracy Kidder.
- Farmer is fluent in Creole, French, Spanish, and Kreyol.
- In addition to his work with PIH, Farmer has served as a consultant for the World Health Organization and has advised several governments on global health issues.
- He is a prolific author and has published over 200 academic articles and several books, including “HIV/AIDS: The Global Pandemic” and “Reimagining Global Health.”
- Despite his busy schedule, Farmer still finds time to practice medicine and regularly sees patients at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
5 notable quotes by Paul Farmer:
- “The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world.”
- “The only real nation is humanity.”
- “The idea that a person is not connected to his or her community is not only cruel but also false.”
- “It is easier to write a prescription than to understand the complex factors that lead to illness.”
- “The goal of any health care delivery system should be to provide high-quality care to all who need it, regardless of their ability to pay.”
