Dr. Deborah Birx, the current Coronavirus Response Coordinator for the White House leading the charge in the fight against COVID-19, is a 1973 graduate of Carlisle High School. She completed her undergraduate studies at Houghton College in just two years, receiving a BS in chemistry. In 1980, Birx earned an MD from the Hershey Medical Center at Pennsylvania State University. Birx was also a Colonel in the U.S. Army, serving as an active duty reserve officer from 1980 to 1994 and an active duty regular from 1994 to 2008.
Dr. Birx went on to serve as the assistant chief of the Walter Reed Allergy/Immunology Service, focusing much of her attention on HIV/AIDS vaccine research. This also led to her serving as the director of the Centers for Disease Control ‘s Division of Global HIV/AIDS from 2005 to 2014. Her most recent position was that of Ambassador at Large directing President Obama’s U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
The Carlisle Area School District is extremely proud to see how one of its alumni is carrying on the school’s motto of “Community, Honor and Service!”
Fun Fact:
During her time at CHS, Dr. Birx already proved her scientific prowess as evidenced by her 1973 Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair win as the grand champion. Her project, entitled “Paleobotany in Reference to the Carboniferous Period” (comparing fossils between PA and England) awarded her a trip to San Diego to participate in the International Science Fair, where she won top honors from both the U.S. Army and Navy.