Dear Members of the HMS Community:

I am heartbroken to share the news that Paul Farmer died early this morning in Rwanda, where he was working and teaching at the University of Global Health Equity, which he co-founded. Paul passed quietly in his sleep, pursuing to his last day his mission of bringing exceptional medical care to regions of the globe in greatest need. He was 62.

A compassionate physician and infectious disease specialist, a brilliant and influential medical anthropologist, and among the greatest humanitarians of our time—perhaps all time—Paul dedicated his life to improving human health and advocating for health equity and social justice on a global scale. I am particularly shaken by his passing because he was not only a consummate colleague and a beloved mentor, but a close friend. To me, Paul represented the heart and soul of Harvard Medical School.

Paul was the Kolokotrones University Professor and head of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine in the Blavatnik Institute at HMS, and chief of the Division of Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He earned his MD and PhD from Harvard. He was co-founder and chief strategist of Partners In Health, an international nonprofit that since 1987 has provided direct health care services and undertaken research and advocacy activities on behalf of the sick and those living in poverty. Paul co-founded PIH while still a medical student here at HMS, which speaks to his drive and his spirit.

Our hearts go out to his wife, Didi Bertrand Farmer, their three children, and all who knew and loved him.

We are planning a community gathering via Zoom and will share the details as soon as they are confirmed. There are many in our community who will feel the burden of his loss. Please know that grief counselors are available through Harvard’s 24-hour, confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-EAP-HARV (877-327-4278). Students can reach out to Harvard Counseling and Mental Health Services at 617-495-2042.

Paul’s presence brought great honor to Harvard Medical School. His life’s work and teaching have been an inspiration to countless colleagues and trainees who will carry on his legacy. In closing, I would like to share one of Paul’s poignant quotes that is meaningful to me and represents what Paul stood for and fought for:

“The essence of global health equity is the idea that something so precious as health might be viewed as a right.”

Sincerely,

George Q. Daley
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine
Harvard University