BETHESDA, Md. — Dr. Anthony Fauci announced on Monday he plans to step down in December from his role as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases—a position he held for more than 35 years, through the AIDS and COVID pandemics—as well as his role of chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden.
Dr. Anthony Fauci
Dr. Lawrence Tabak, performing the duties of the NIH director, issued the following statement on Dr. Fauci decision to step down:
He is the model public servant — dedicated and selfless, and a brilliant scientist and physician who is passionate about developing treatments and cures for those who are sick and suffering. He has dedicated his life’s work to advancing knowledge about the causes of complex diseases ranging from HIV to asthma, rarely satisfied with anything less than a cure. For Tony, it’s personal. He works tirelessly on behalf of all patients, often at great personal expense, and always bringing his Brooklyn tenacity to the fight. I know of no one more dedicated than Tony to the mission of the NIH and the health of the American people.
Tony’s NIH career spans 54 years, 38 of those leading NIAID, advising seven U.S. Presidents, and reassuring the public as America’s doctor during outbreaks of infectious diseases, from HIV to Ebola to COVID-19. Without exception, he is always guided by the science. It’s been an extraordinary privilege and honor to have worked by his side and to have learned so much from him — I will miss him greatly. But I also look forward to seeing what Tony will do next. I have no doubt that he will continue to have an enormous impact on the world,” said Tabak.
While Fauci no longer plans to head the agency, he said he is “not retiring,” and plans to pursue the “next phase” of his career to “continue to advance science and public health.”
The news comes after Fauci said last month he might step down from the NIAID sometime within the next few years but said he had no immediate plans to retire.
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