29/03/2025
We are privileged to honor Dr. Jean William “Bill” Pape at our upcoming fundraiser. This event offers a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from a global health pioneer whose dedication has profoundly impacted Haiti’s healthcare landscape.
Dr. Jean William “Bill” Pape is a distinguished Haitian physician renowned for his transformative contributions to public health in Haiti and beyond. After completing his medical training in the United States, Dr. Pape returned to Haiti in 1979 to address critical health challenges. He initially focused on combating infantile diarrhea, the leading cause of child mortality at the time, and successfully reduced in-hospital mortality from 40% to less than 1% within a year through the implementation of oral rehydration therapy and other innovative approaches.
In 1982, recognizing the emerging threat of HIV/AIDS, Dr. Pape founded GHESKIO (Groupe Haïtien d’Étude du Sarcome de Kaposi et des Infections Opportunistes), one of the world’s first institutions dedicated to the study and treatment of AIDS. Under his leadership, GHESKIO has become a beacon of hope, providing free care to over 300,000 patients annually and significantly reducing HIV prevalence in Haiti.
Dr. Pape’s unwavering commitment has been evident through Haiti’s most challenging times, including the devastating 2010 earthquake and subsequent cholera outbreak. He transformed GHESKIO into a trauma hospital and survivor camp, saving countless lives. Despite personal hardships, such as the kidnapping of his son and staff amid escalating gang violence, Dr. Pape remains steadfast in his mission to serve the Haitian people.
His exceptional work has earned him numerous accolades, including the French Legion of Honor, the Clinton Global Citizen Award, and election to the U.S. National Academy of Medicine.
