In honor of World Hepatitis Day on July 28, the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination recognizes five outstanding individuals in acknowledgment of their contributions to health equity in the fight for global hepatitis elimination:
- Dr. Marta Casado Martín, a distinguished specialist in Gastroenterology and Hepatology who is leading the fight for the elimination of viral hepatitis in Spain, with remarkable achievements in hepatitis C.
- Dr. Wang Fuzhen, chief of the Viral Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch at China CDC who is focused on the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus during childbirth.
- Mr. Shaibu Issa, a hepatitis B advocate from Tanzania, is living with the virus and leading transformative efforts to improve awareness, access, and action across Africa and beyond.
- Ms. Julie Lazaroff, an epidemiologist in the United States who works to identify barriers and solutions to increasing hepatitis B birth dose coverage, as well as improving surveillance and data management in New York City.
- Dr. Muhammad Sadik Memon, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences leading research efforts to eliminate hepatitis in Pakistan.
These nominees were selected by a distinguished panel of judges after an open call for nominations in February of 2025. Nominees were required to have direct actions that have resulted in substantial and demonstrable improvements in hepatitis prevention, testing, care, and treatment in their country or community. They accelerated elimination through improved public awareness, political mobilization, planning and policy development, financing, service delivery, and technical innovations. The 2025 judging panel included:
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- Dr. Amy Trang, Vice-President of Administrative Services & Planning, Vietnam Viral Hepatitis Alliance
- Mr. Chris Muñoz, Scientific Advisory Board, COR-HEPB
- Ms. Mia Bondi, NP, Director of Implementation, Viral Hepatitis Care Network
- Ms. Sue Huntley, Co-founder, Hepatitis B Free, 2024 Elimination Champion
The Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination acknowledges the remarkable accomplishments of all the 2025 nominees and congratulates the 2025 Champions. By acknowledging and celebrating the remarkable efforts of individuals committed to hepatitis elimination, we strive to inspire others and create momentum towards a world free from this devastating disease.
