06: Ending Polio for Good

Carol Pandak is the director of PolioPlus, Rotary International's global effort to eradicate polio. Pandak has served in this role since 2000, where she leads day-to-day operations and oversees the program's administration, advocacy efforts, grants, finances and volunteer engagement. In this role she also works closely with global program partners such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In this episode, Carol shares the progress we've made in polio eradication and how health workers are making an impact in their communities.

For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations).

Key Takeaways: [1:20] What led Carol Pandak to this point in her career? [1:55] What drove Carol Pandak to work in polio eradication? [2:34] Why did Rotary International get involved in polio eradication? [4:16] Progress in polio eradication since 1988. [4:55] How are we going to eradicate polio? [6:17] The biggest challenge to eradication is building community trust. [7:06] The reality for the ones working in the field. [8:11] How do you become a community mobilizer? [9:45] What is the biggest danger for community mobilizers? [10:54] The psychology behind vaccine hesitancy. [11:53] How can we overcome vaccine hesitancy? [12:57] Powerful stories. [15:11] Women at the frontlines. [15:49] Carol Pandak's career advice for future public health leaders.

Mentioned in This Episode: CDC Foundation Answer this episode's question: Do you know someone that has been impacted by polio? Email your answer to info@cdcfoundation.org and participate to win some CDC Foundation merchandise.