RSPH Faculty

After graduating from Williams College (1955) and the University of Rochester School of Medicine (1960), I spent two years as a CDC  Epidemic Intelligence(EIS) Officer assigned to the Indian Health Service in Arizona.  In addition to my main responsibility for examining 10,000 school children per year for trachoma (25% were positive), I had the opportunity to investigate other health emergencies as they arose: Plague, Rabies, Measles, Shigella, Food Poisoning, KeratoConjuntivitis (Philadelphia, Talequah Oklahoma, and La Paz Bolivia), Diabetesin Pima Indians, and Rotavirus in the Truck Islands in the South Pacific.  In 1966, I was invited to join CDCs new Smallpox Eradication Program.  Our family spent 4 years in Nigeria (1966-1970) and 4 years in Bangladesh (1972-1976) working with national health workers to eradicate smallpox.  In 1977, I spent three months living with nomads in Somalia (the last smallpox epidemic country in the world.)

From 1980 to 1994, I worked with the International Health Program Office at CDC in its Combating Childhood Communicable Disease Project (CCCD).  We worked with 10 African countries to improve the health and survival of children under 5 through strengthening their capacity to prevent and treat diseases.  We focused on prevention (immunization, malaria chemoprophylaxis of women); case management of the three priority killers of children (malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea); communicating health behaviors, strengthening health information systems; and operations research.

I have been teaching Global Health at Rollins since 1994.   

HONORS

Rollins School of Public Health Distinguished Achievement Award

Emory Williams Distinguished Teaching Award - Emory University 2010

Dory Storms Award for Contributions to NGO Child Survival Projects (2008)

Williams College Bicentennial Medal  (2006)

APHA: Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in International Health (2003)

Thomas Sellers Award (2002)

Rollins School of Public Health: Professor of Year (1996),

William C Watson Award Medal of Excellence (1991)

Williams College: DSc (HON) (1983)

WHO: Order of the Bifurcated Needle (1976)

University of Rochester School of Medicine: Alpha Omega Alpha (1960)

Teaching 

1. In the fall, Deb McFarland and I each teach a section of GH501: Global Health Challenges and Opportunities, a course designed to strengthen learner knowledge and understanding of the Challenges of Global Health, Global Actors, Policy Challenges, and Opportunities to make a difference..
2. In January, Sumaya Karimi and I co-teach GH572: Community Transformation, an intense five day interactive course, designed to strengthen learner capacity to work with  individuals, families, and communities to  strengthen their capacities to identify and remove barriers to health and well being.
3. In the spring semester, I facilitate GH542: Evidence-Based Strategic Planning, a case study of Oromia Region in Ethiopia.  Working in groups of 16, each student is responsible for a different health/development issues.  Tasks include analyzing data sets, sharing findings with group members, developing an intervention strategy, preparing a log frame, and developing a budget.

 EVALUATION

• Member of the Global Allince of Vaccines and  Immunization (GAVI) Evaluation Panel
• BRAC School of Public Health, Bangladesh - 2009
• Evaluation of $35 million USAID Grant to the World Health Organization Africa - 2008
• CDC"S Polio Stop Program
• CARE CDC Collaboration Project

  SERVICE

• With my wife Dottie, who is fluent in the Mam Language, one of 22 Guatemala Indian languages, we lead an annual workshop for 22 women's groups in the highlands of Guatemala.   Workshop topics are selected by the Mam Women and have included: Maternal Health, Nutrition, Self Esteem, Environment, and Gold Mine Toxicity

What students have to say:

"Having someone who is so accomplished in the field of public health who keeps his office door open at all times is a real benefit to our department." - Michele Sinunu

"Dr. Foster's dedication to the students and a practical education is a true asset and strength to the Hubert Department of Global Health. He creates an inviting learning environment by taking the time to get to know each student both personally and academically. Dr. Foster has enriched my education by sharing his experiences and encouraging me to follow my own interests." - Roslyn Seitz

"What a true inspiration he is! Dr. Foster is passionate about teaching students about public health. His door is always open, even at the busiest of times. He has been around the world, knows everybody and has worked tirelessly on different campaigns. I would encourage all students to tap into this invaluable resource. Rollins students are very fortunate to have him." - Lenette Golding