D.A. Henderson

Doctor of Laws

School of Public Health, June 10, 2003

D. A. Henderson has been recognized internationally for leading the World Health Organization's successful global campaign to eradicate smallpox. After the successful completion of the smallpox eradication program in 1977, he became Dean of the Faculty at the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene. He left that position in 1990 when he was called upon by the first Bush administration to become the Associate Director in the Office of Science and Technology. Under the Clinton administration, he became science adviser to Donna E. Shalala. Henderson founded the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense Studies in 1997 and in 2001, Tommy G. Thompson, secretary of health and human services, named him to head the new Office of Public Health Preparedness where he lead the nation's public health efforts against bioterrorism.