Stanley O Foster, Professor Emeritus, Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University left us on March 14, 2021. The world has lost a great teacher, compassionate leader, legend, and mentor in public health. Above all, Stan was a great human being, a caring father, storyteller, inspiration, and friend to many of us! It’s impossible to express the feeling of such a loss! Stan was one of the few public health leaders who was involved in the smallpox eradication program, and to the best of my knowledge, he was also part of the team that declared the world smallpox free. Rahima Banu of Bhola (the then sub-district of Barisal) was the last case of smallpox on earth.
I met Stan at the Health & Human Rights Conference 2005 at Emory University. Staring at me he asked if I was from Bangladesh or India. On hearing me, he said, “Kemon Achen – how are you?” He then added that he worked in Bangladesh. Then after two years, I was awarded Foege Fellowship in 2007 to pursue MPH at Rollins, Emory University. During the first couple of weeks I was not feeling well – leaving behind my team in my country, I was not sure if I were selfish and was always wondering what I am going to get here. One day, I went to Stan’s Office and asked what I am going to learn as I have already worked 14 years in public health. His answer was like this – “well, you may not learn many things new here, but you will certainly establish a greater network that will take you to a wider world. And many members of the network will be inspiring to you.” After decade of my graduation, I have realized this greatly!
Just before our first class – Policy, Stan came to me in the Fellow’s Room and said I have to take part in a role play with him in the first lecture on Policy (policies, programs and priorities) and I have to act in the role of Zafrullah Chowdhury (Founder and Trustee of Gonoshasthaya Kendra of Bangladesh) on his drug policy. It’s a wonderful story of how Zafrullah introduced and convinced the military ruler about the drug policy, which has been a landmark in Bangladeshi Pharmaceutical Industry. This is the way Stan used to teach students. His classes were not taught in traditional way. He brought many other great leaders and scholars to our class, which gave us rare opportunity for direct interaction with them on specific issues and how they used the momentum in influencing. Stan was in his 70s, while students enjoyed his humor in classes, corridor, and whenever interacting him.
As mentioned above, during the first couple of weeks, sometimes, I got the terrible feeling whether I am going to continue at Emory or return to Bangladesh. And somehow Stan read my mental state. He asked me if I would be free in the coming weekend. He then came to my Emory Hall, picked me up and then also took another Indian student along with her family to his home at the mountain. We had wonderful time and family caring there. Dorothy, Stan’s wife, cooked Indian food, while Stan also took us to a small waterfall, a little away from his home, we played table tennis and had free time in the evening.
So many stories with Stan, I am kind of confused which one to share and which one to drop. In my last semester, I along with a few of my classmates wanted to bring a young Bangladeshi photographer – Jannatul Mawa to Emory to share her work on women’s rights and empowerment. First, we were in contact with one dept, but we were disappointed when we came to know that they can’t support this. One of my classmates told me to go to Stan and seek his advice. As soon as we shared our frustration, Stan said, “No problem, I will write a letter to the Embassy of Bangladesh to support the visa of the photographer, and Global Health Dept. will organize this event.” Stan even picked up the photographer from the airport. He opened the photography exhibition and spent hours there to see the work and inspire the audience. Looking at one of the pictures of a lady with smallpox spot in the face, he said this is Stan. And then he mentioned that Rahima Banu of Bhola (the then sub-district of Barisal), Bangladesh was the last case of smallpox in the world. During the visit of this photographer, Stan also arranged another exhibition at his local Church. During the prayer at the Church, when attendees were bringing different issues to the Priest for prayer to the God, Stan asked, “Pray for those who are going to bed hungry tonight.” I have never heard about such issue for prayer. This simply expresses how compassionate human being Stan was in his entire life! There are many more examples.
Stan was like a caring father and mentor to me and many others. During the last couple of weeks, I have been thinking about Stan a lot and wondering when I will meet him again. Unfortunately, this shocking news came in the midnight of March 20, 2021. It’s now the reality that we will never meet Stan again on earth. But perhaps somewhere else we will see you! The world will get another public health leader, but surely NOT another Stan Foster! You will be missed everywhere Stan! I feel this is the second time I lost my father. Rest in Peace my friend! You will always be in our heart!
Muhsin Siddiquey, Foege Fellow, MPH Class 2009
Country Director, Oxfam International in Yemen