CBS News Medical Contributor and Editor-at-Large for Public Health at KFF
Celine Gounder: Biography at a Glance
- Dr. Celine Gounder is an internationally renowned internist, infectious disease specialist, and epidemiologist, having studied at Princeton, Johns Hopkins, the University of Washington, and Harvard.
- Currently, she serves as a CBS News Medical Contributor and Editor-at-Large for Public Health at KFF, as well as a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine, where she also cares for patients at Bellevue Hospital.
- She is recognized globally as an expert in public health communication and advises local and national policymakers on a range of critical health issues, including pandemics, climate change, mental health, drug overdose, gun violence, and disinformation.
- Dr. Gounder’s experience includes roles as a CNN Medical Analyst, an Ebola aid worker in Guinea, and Assistant Commissioner of Health for Tuberculosis in NYC. Her clinical work spans Indian reservations, Appalachia, and southern Africa.
- In addition to frequent contributions to outlets like The New York Times, The Atlantic, and NPR, she produces two podcasts, American Diagnosis and Epidemic, and won an Edward R. Murrow Award for podcasting in 2023.
- She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and serves on the board of Research! America and the Communication Initiative Advisory Panel for the Coalition for Trust in Health and Science.
- Her work advising national and local policymakers on issues like epidemic preparedness, mental health, drug overdose, and gun violence underscores her deep understanding of policy’s role in health, offering audiences valuable perspectives on creating systemic change.
Biography
Trained at Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Washington, and Harvard University, Gounder is an internationally renowned internist, infectious disease specialist, and epidemiologist. She is a CBS News Medical Contributor and Editor-at-Large for Public Health at KFF. Dr. Gounder is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. She cares for patients at Bellevue Hospital Center. She is one of the world’s leading experts in science, medicine, and public health communication.
Dr. Gounder advises local and national policymakers on public health issues, including epidemics and pandemics, the health impacts of climate change, mental health, drug overdose, gun violence, and disinformation.
Prior to joining CBS News, Dr. Gounder was a CNN Medical Analyst. She’s written for numerous publications including The New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, and The Washington Post. She’s a frequent guest on NPR and other radio and podcast programs, including two she produces: American Diagnosis and Epidemic.
Dr. Gounder’s clinical work has taken her to Indian reservations and Appalachia. She was an Ebola aid worker in Guinea and conducted implementation research on HIV/TB control measures throughout southern Africa. She also served as Assistant Commissioner of Health for Tuberculosis at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
She received her BA in Molecular Biology from Princeton University, her Master of Science in Epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and her MD from the University of Washington. Dr. Gounder was an intern and resident in Internal Medicine at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital and a post-doctoral fellow in Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins University. She’s a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, a member of the National Academy of Medicine, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She won a national Edward R. Murrow Award in 2023 for podcasting. Finally, she’s on the Board of Research! America and the Communication Initiative Advisory Panel for the Coalition for Trust in Health and Science.
Topics
American Diagnosis: Understanding US Public Health Challenges
In this engaging presentation, Celine will explore pressing public health challenges facing America today, as examined in her impactful podcast, American Diagnosis. From the mental health struggles affecting today’s youth to the ongoing opioid crisis and the devastating impact of gun violence, Celine delves into complex issues that shape the well-being of communities across the country. This talk offers listeners a unique blend of expert insights and powerful stories from those working tirelessly on the ground to foster health and safety in their communities. By amplifying diverse voices and showcasing innovative responses to these crises, Celine’s message is both informative and deeply inspiring, illuminating ways we can work together to build healthier and more resilient societies.
What to Expect for Health Policy Under the Trump Administration
As the Trump administration takes office, Americans are left wondering what changes are ahead for healthcare policy. From the future of Medicare, Medicaid, and prescription drug pricing to vaccine access and pandemic preparedness, critical public health issues are on the line.
Dr. Céline Gounder, a leading infectious disease expert and public health advocate, will break down what we can expect from the administration’s approach to healthcare, including potential cuts to Medicaid, the pharmaceutical industry’s influence on drug price negotiations, and the possible impact of anti-vaccine rhetoric on childhood immunization rates. She will also discuss how proposed policy rollbacks—such as eliminating the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness—could affect America’s readiness for future health crises like H5N1 bird flu.
This session will provide a clear-eyed, science-driven analysis of what’s at stake and how these decisions could impact millions of Americans in the years ahead.
Health Beyond the Headlines: Shaping Policy for Systemic Change
In this keynote, Dr. Celine Gounder draws on her extensive experience advising national and local policymakers to explore the intersection of health and policy, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the pressing public health challenges facing our world today. From epidemic preparedness to mental health, drug overdose crises, and gun violence, Dr. Gounder illustrates how strategic policy decisions shape health outcomes and, ultimately, society’s wellbeing. She shares her insights on navigating the complexities of health policy, the importance of evidence-based approaches, and actionable strategies for creating meaningful, systemic change. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the role of policy in advancing public health and learn how they, too, can contribute to building a healthier, more resilient future.
Lessons from the Frontlines: A Global Perspective on Resilience and Public Health
In this inspiring keynote, Dr. Celine Gounder shares powerful stories and insights from her clinical work across diverse settings—from bustling urban hospitals in the U.S. to remote Appalachian communities, Native American reservations, and Ebola clinics in Guinea. Dr. Gounder highlights the common threads of resilience, service, and dedication that connect health workers and communities around the globe, revealing how these experiences have shaped her understanding of the universal challenges we face in public health. Through her ground-level perspective, she invites audiences to consider the profound impact of cultural sensitivity, resourcefulness, and compassion in healthcare, leaving them with a renewed commitment to address health disparities and serve those in need. This keynote offers a unique window into the global nature of health challenges and the vital role we all play in building a healthier world.
