Dr. William H. “Bill” Foege, a 1961 graduate of the University of Washington School of Medicine MD Program and a global public health leader, helped change the course of history. Credited with pioneering the surveillance and ring vaccination strategy that led to the eradication of smallpox, Foege played a central role in ending transmission of the disease worldwide by the late 1970s. He passed away on January 24, 2026 at his home in Atlanta at age 89.
Foege’s innovative approach proved that targeted vaccination could stop outbreaks even in settings with limited resources. The success of this strategy led to smallpox being officially declared eradicated in 1980, one of the greatest achievements in global health.
A former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Foege was also a respected mentor, author and advocate whose influence continues to shape public health today.
Learn more about Dr. Foege’s life and legacy in the UW Medicine Newsroom