Deborah Birx facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deborah Birx
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Birx in 2020
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| White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator | |
| In office February 27, 2020 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Jeff Zients |
| United States Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy | |
| In office January 20, 2015 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Eric Goosby Leslie V. Rowe (acting) Elizabeth Jordan (acting) |
| Succeeded by | John Nkengasong |
| 4th United States Global AIDS Coordinator | |
| In office April 4, 2014 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Mark N. Brown Angeli Achrekar |
| Preceded by | Eric Goosby |
| Succeeded by | John Nkengasong |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Deborah Leah Birx
April 4, 1956 Carlisle, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Spouse | Paige Reffe |
| Relations | Donald Birx (brother) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Houghton University (BS) Pennsylvania State University (MD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1980–1994 (reserve) 1994–2008 (active) |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Awards | Legion of Merit |
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Deborah Leah Birx (born April 4, 1956) is an American doctor and diplomat. She is known for her work in global health and fighting diseases. From 2020 to 2021, she was the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator under President Donald Trump.
Birx is an expert in HIV/AIDS and vaccine research. Before her role with the coronavirus, she led a big program called PEPFAR. This program helped treat and prevent HIV/AIDS in 65 countries. She also served as the United States Global AIDS Coordinator for presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Deborah Birx was born in Pennsylvania. Her father was a mathematician and engineer. Her mother was a nursing instructor. Her brother, Donald Birx, is also a university president.
Growing up, Deborah and her siblings loved science. They even used a shed behind their home as a lab for experiments. She attended Lampeter-Strasburg High School and later Carlisle High.
Birx was very good at science fairs. In her sophomore year, she won third place at a local science fair. She told a newspaper, "third is alright, but I'll be back. I want that first prize." She later won the Grand Prize at another science fair in her senior year.
In 1976, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Houghton University. She finished her college studies in just two years. In 1980, she earned her medical degree (MD) from the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Career in Medicine and Public Health
Deborah Birx served in the United States Army as a doctor. She was an active duty officer from 1994 to 2008, reaching the rank of Colonel.
From 1980 to 1989, she worked at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She focused on immunology, which is the study of the body's defense system. She also worked in the lab of famous doctor Anthony Fauci.
Birx became a leader in HIV/AIDS vaccine research. From 1996 to 2005, she directed the United States Military HIV Research Program. In this role, she led a study called RV 144. This study showed for the first time that a vaccine could help lower the risk of getting HIV.
Fighting HIV/AIDS Globally
From 2005 to 2014, Birx worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She was the director of their global HIV/AIDS division.
In 2014, President Barack Obama chose her to be the United States Global AIDS Coordinator. This role was part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program. PEPFAR is a large U.S. government effort to fight HIV/AIDS around the world.
Birx's job was to help reach goals for HIV prevention and treatment. She wanted to help end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. She created a program called DREAMS. This program helps reduce HIV infection rates among young women and girls.
In February 2020, Deborah Birx was appointed to a very important role. She became the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator. Her job was to help the U.S. government respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. She reported to Vice President Mike Pence.
During televised briefings, Birx explained data about the virus. She encouraged people to practice social distancing. She also helped create a plan for states to safely reopen after lockdowns.
In July 2020, Birx helped change how hospitals reported COVID-19 patient information. She wanted data to be collected faster to help fight the virus. She said the U.S. was in a "new phase" of the epidemic. She warned that the virus was "extraordinarily widespread."
In August 2020, she suggested that people living with vulnerable family members should wear masks at home. She also traveled around the U.S. to work with local leaders. She encouraged mask mandates and social distancing.
In November 2020, an internal report from Birx strongly urged the government to ask Americans to wear masks. She also said people should keep their distance and avoid gatherings. She warned that the vaccine alone would not stop the virus surge.
Birx received both praise and criticism for her role during the pandemic. Some people felt she downplayed the dangers of the virus. Others believed she did her best in a difficult situation.
In December 2020, Birx said she would retire from government soon. This was after news that she had hosted family for Thanksgiving. She had previously urged Americans to limit gatherings to their immediate household. Her term ended on January 20, 2021. Later, Birx said she considered quitting because of political issues. She also said her science-based advice was sometimes "censored."
After leaving the White House, Birx joined the George W. Bush Presidential Center. She now works on reducing health differences and preparing for future pandemics.
Personal Life
Deborah Birx lives with her parents, her husband, and one of her daughters' families. Her husband, Paige Reffe, is a lawyer. He worked in several past U.S. presidential administrations.
Awards and Honors
- 1989: United States Department of Defense, Legion of Merit
- 1991: United States Department of Defense, Meritorious Service Medal
- 2008: Federal Executive Board, Outstanding Manager
- 2011: African Society for Laboratory Medicine, ASLM Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2014: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, William C. Watson Jr. Medal of Excellence
- 2019: International Relations Council, Distinguished Service Award for International Statesmanship
Selected Works and Publications
- Birx, Deborah. Silent Invasion: The Untold Story of the Trump Administration, Covid-19, and Preventing the Next Pandemic Before It's Too Late. United States, HarperCollins, 2022. ISBN: 978-0063204232
Images for kids
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See also
In Spanish: Deborah Birx para niños
