New director has backing of HIV community
WASHINGTON — Jesse Milan Jr., president and CEO of AIDS United, issued the following statement after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the appointment of Dr. Demetre Daskalakis to be director of the CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention in the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention:
“I have worked with every director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention over the past 25 years, and I could not be more thrilled that Dr. Daskalakis will become its next director.
“I’ve known of and admired his work for many years. He will be a powerful voice at the CDC for people living with and vulnerable to HIV. I am excited to partner with him in this new role, especially as we begin our work together with the new administration.
“This is a critical time for the HIV community. The end of the HIV epidemic in the United States is within our reach. We have the tools to prevent all new transmissions and ensure people living with HIV live healthy, vibrant lives. What we need is passionate and tenacious leadership to marshal the resources needed.
“Daskalakis demonstrated these exact leadership qualities in New York City, New York, where he transformed the city’s HIV prevention, treatment and care. He will be an excellent strategist and steward for prevention resources at the CDC.
“Between Daskalakis’ skills and the incoming Biden administration’s commitment to ending the HIV epidemic, I am confident that we can take the steps necessary to end the HIV epidemic once and for all.
“Daskalakis follows many strong leaders at the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. I am confident he will bring his own vigor and tremendous experience to the division’s critical mission, and AIDS United looks forward to working with him to replicate his successes across the country.”
