Alfred Sommer, MD, MHS '73In a remarkable career marked by lasting contributions to ophthalmology, epidemiology, micronutrient research, disaster relief, the Bloomberg School and other areas, Alfred Sommer is best known for his research into vitamin A deficiency. He proved that vitamin A dramatically increased childhood morbidity and mortality from infectious disease, and that a 4-cent dose of vitamin A not only prevented and cured eye disease but also reduced childhood deaths by 34 percent. Based on his work, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and their partners now annually provide more than 400 million vitamin A supplements to children around the world, saving literally hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Sommer, MD, MHS '73, is the recipient of numerous honors including the Albert Lasker Clinical Medical Research Award and the Spirit of Helen Keller Award, and is a member of both the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine. The Hopkins Sommer Scholars Program is named in honor of Dean Emeritus Alfred Sommer. |
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"From Al Sommer, I learned that it’s better to follow your passion—even when it looks like a disorganized path—than to follow the road most likely traveled."Melva Green, MD, MPH
Sommer Scholar Alumni
"Health investment, in both the short and long run, is as important as any other human capital investment in the future growth of a community."Fred Selck, MA
Sommer Scholar, PhD Student, Health, Policy and Management
“I believe that a vaccine for malaria, despite being an extremely challenging endeavor, is indeed possible." Sapeckshita Srivastava
Sommer Scholar, PhD Student, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
"A career in public health is a calling that holds endless possibilities for learning and service."Melissa Gilkey, MPH
Sommer Scholar, PhD Student, Health, Behavior and Society
"The desire to make a tangible, positive difference inspires me to devote my career to serving people and bringing them hope."Lynn Huynh, MPH
Sommer Scholar Alumni
"I want to return to Sri Lanka, not just with more medications, but to help bring lasting change."Shruti Gupta, MPH
Sommer Scholar Alumni
“I hope to help advocacy organizations better guide our nation’s approach to solving health problems."Jonathan Kromm, MHS
Sommer Scholar, PhD Student, Health, Policy and Management
“As global citizens, we all have a responsibility to advocate for a healthy, sustainable global society."Vandana Sharma, MD, MPH
Sommer Scholar Alumni
“Health is a fundamental right we can never stop striving to achieve – and I fully intend to spend my life doing so."Crystal Ng
Sommer Scholar, MPH Student
“I want to bring hope to people who have felt forgotten"Amy Gueye
Sommer Scholar, MPH Student
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