Recent cuts to the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will have far reaching effects on the health of our nation. We should all be concerned about the irresponsible use of public funds, but sweeping cuts that impact research into Alzheimer’s, cancer and infectious disease will decay our ability to treat these conditions. Someone would call this, “throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”

Public opinion is being skewed towards believing the NIH and CDC are corrupt. I can only counter statements about massive fraud and abuse with my own positive experiences. Prior to medical school, I spent three years as a volunteer hospital orderly and landed a part-time job at the Kellogg Eye Center in Ann Arbor.

In addition to advancing our understanding of eye disease, this experience shaped my future. Much of the medical research done at the university of Michigan, including my own at the Kellogg Eye Center, is supported by funding from the NIH. I continue to rely on trusted information provided by the CDC and NIH for proper treatment and screening for a variety of diseases. Both of these institutions amass unbiased statistics that help clinicians make appropriate decisions for care.

It is unfortunate that the image of the NIH and CDC is being tainted by negative press. I remain hopeful for a future that rebuilds public trust and continues to provide opportunities for future health providers.

Sincerely,