Demetre C Daskalakis

Demetre Daskalakis is a physician and public health leader recognized for his expertise in infectious diseases and his innovative approach to public health crises. He studied at New York University, earning his undergraduate degree, and went on to receive his MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Daskalakis completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and further specialized in Infectious Diseases through a fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He received his Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Daskalakis’s commitment to applied public health shaped his early work in New York City, where he played a key role in HIV/AIDS response by spearheading community outreach, harm reduction, and expanding access to prevention and care. As Deputy Commissioner for Disease Control at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, he guided the city’s programs in HIV, tuberculosis, and later the COVID-19 response.

On the national stage, Dr. Daskalakis has served as Director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention at the CDC, was a senior leader in the White House National Monkeypox Response, and served as the Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. His career is marked by a dedication to translating medical science into practical public health strategies and the courage to take a stand for the good of the public’s health.