Cornwall on Hudson – The Storm King School is pleased to announce that Ambassador-at-Large Deborah L. Birx, M.D. will be this year’s 2015 commencement speaker. Ambassador Birx is the Coordinator of the United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS and U.S. Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy.
“Storm King School is honored that Ambassador Birx has taken time from her busy schedule and important work to address our 2015 senior class,” said headmaster Jonathan Lamb.
Ambassador Birx has a distinguished career as one of the world’s leading experts on HIV/AIDS. She has spent three decades working as an immunologist, vaccine researcher and global health advocate, garnering many awards and honors along the way. Ambassador Birx also rose to the rank of Colonel during her tenure in the U.S. Army.
From 1996-2005 she was Director of the U.S. Military HIV Research Program at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. During this time she helped lead a groundbreaking HIV vaccine trial. The Thai trial, as it is known, provides the first supporting evidence of a vaccine’s potential effectiveness in lowering the risk of contracting the disease.
Last year, Ambassador Birx was sworn-in as Coordinator of the United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS.
Reporting directly to the Secretary of State in her capacity as Coordinator, she oversees the implementation of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a multi-billion dollar international health initiative that helps nations put systems in place to fight HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
As Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy, Ambassador Birx “aligns the U.S. government’s diplomacy with foreign assistance programs that address global health challenges” and is working toward, among other things “achieving an AIDS-free generation.”
The Storm King School’s 147th Commencement is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
The Storm King School, founded in 1867, is an independent, coed, boarding and day school for grades 8-12 located on Storm King Mountain in Cornwall on Hudson, NY. For more information: www.sks.org.