We take on big problems. We have real impact. We take on the world’s worst and most intractable diseases to eliminate them or bring them firmly under public health control while strengthening health systems so that countries can protect the health of their populations. The Task Force for Global Health is an independent, 501(c)3, nongovernmental organization based in Atlanta, GA, USA, with a field office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our programs focus on eliminating diseases and protecting populations. Since our founding in 1984, we only take on problems we know can be solved, and we do it through powerful, global collaborations because we are in the business of solving problems. We are values driven. We value the lives of all people and believe they should have equitable access to the services that lead to healthier lives. We solve large-scale health problems by: Forging partnerships that catalyze action and change lives; Applying innovative thinking and rigorous science; and Practicing deep compassion for the people whom we serve. William H. Foege, MD, MPH, is the inspiration behind the work we do. An epidemiologist by training, he was one of the architects of the successful smallpox eradication effort in the 1970s, which is still the only disease to be eradicated in humanity. In 2012, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. Dr. Foege was Chief of the CDC Smallpox Eradication Program and was appointed director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1977. In 1984, Dr. Foege co-founded The Task Force for Child Survival (now called The Task Force for Global Health), heading up the effort to increase global child immunization rates.Foege served The Carter Center from 1986-1992 as its Executive Director. Between 1992-1999, he contributed to the Carter Center’s work as a Fellow but also as the Executive Director of The Task Force for Global Health (which was then called The Task Force for Child Survival and was based at the Carter Center at the time). Between 1999-2001, Dr. Foege also served as Senior Medical Advisor for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. During his time with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he became a close friend and mentor to the Gateses. Today, he is retired but continues to influence global public health. William C. Watson Jr. co-founded The Task Force along with Dr. Foege. As Deputy Director, Watson was the operations man behind the vision for The Task Force, which was created initially to increase global childhood immunization rates. Both former CDC employees and often called “the Two Bills,” Dr. Watson and Dr. Foege held their first Task Force staff meeting, along with former CDC employee Carol Walters, around Dr. Watson’s kitchen table. Dr. Watson was a Prisoner of War in World War II which led him to public health. He was one of the CDC’s first Public Health Advisor and the CDC has since then honored his career by naming their highest honor, the William C. Watson Jr. Medal of Excellence.