Disease Knows No Politics

“Disease Knows No Politics by Elias Zerhouni, is two books in one. The first is the autobiography of a most unusual man, who rose from a middle-class family in colonial Algeria to be head of one of the most prestigious government health agencies in the world. The second is a series of managerial studies, what to do and what not to do, spanning many decades and countless organizations. As a former department head, I found this fascinating. I only wish this book had been available thirty-five years ago.” “Disease Knows No Politics is an absolute must-read. Dr. Elias Zerhouni’s inspiring memoir of resilience, dedication to science, and heartfelt service is nothing short of extraordinary. His journey is a powerful tribute to the vital contributions of immigrants in shaping American innovation and offers timely insights into the lasting power of science and integrity in public health. Dr. Zerhouni is truly an American hero!”“Disease Knows No Politics traces the arc of Elias Zerhouni’s unique career and extraordinary immigrant journey. From humble beginnings in an Algerian village to his trials and triumphs leading America’s biomedical empire, we glean pearls about leadership, integrity, and compassion–virtues Elias Zerhouni exemplifies as few others could. For those interested in medicine, health, and science, Disease Knows No Politics is a must-read.” Disease Knows No Politics is, by any definition, a success story. This memoir provides a roadmap on how to manage whatever circumstances life provides. The guiding theme is to develop basic principles which encourage positive interactions with others for the benefit of all parties involved. “A brilliant inventor, engineer, physician, biomedical research scientist and entrepreneur, Elias Zerhouni personifies the American Dream as much as anyone I’ve known. His multidisciplinary leadership in academia, government and industry has contributed greatly not just to the adopted country he loves, but to all humanity. Elias is fearless where it counts–at the intersection of health policy and politics. His memoir will inspire anyone seeking to advance science and technology.” “A fascinating study of the best human nature can achieve. Elias’ well written memoir is a “page turner!” “A modern-day Horatio Alger story, Dr. Elias Zerhouni’s memoir charts his meteoric, inspirational rise through academic medicine, the National Institutes of Health, and the biopharma industry. His life story is an improbable tale of an empathetic, creative physician-scientist who came to the U.S. with next to nothing only a few hundred dollars in his pocket and has since revolutionized biomedical research and brought life-saving drugs to patients in need. The melting pot we call America has enabled his remarkable successes, yet this country has been immeasurably enriched by his pioneering contributions to biomedical research and global health.” “Abraham Lincoln once said, “Each one of you may have through this free government which we have enjoyed, an open field and a fair chance for your industry, enterprise and intelligence.” Dr. Elias Zerhouni, and his memoir, embody this principle, and it is individuals like him who contribute to making the United States the great nation it is today. I feel incredibly fortunate to have met Elias early in my career and will always be grateful for the trust and confidence he placed in me.” “An amazing career for an amazing person, with unusual vitality and purpose. A level-5 leader.” “Both timely and timeless, Disease Knows No Politics captures the essence of the American Dream. This memoir also reveals the blueprint for leadership and innovation that has served Dr. Elias Zerhouni well through countless triumphs in business, government, medicine, and science.”“Braiding themes of scientific discovery and values-driven leadership, this book tells a life story of a true renaissance man. Dr. Elias Zerhouni has left his mark and continues to inspire the next generation of leaders in science, politics, academia, and business.” “Dr. Zerhouni is an expert medical scientist, innovator, and entrepreneur whose skills set him apart from others. This memoir illustrates his inspiring life journey with compelling detail. It’s a must-read for all young scientists seeking to make an impact.” “Dr. Zerhouni’s immigrant journey, brought to life with engaging detail in his memoir, Disease Knows No Politics, is the American dream at its best. I’m grateful for his outstanding service to our country, and all he did to transform the NIH. We can all learn from the lessons in this book, and Dr. Zerhouni’s diverse life experiences, including the way he worked with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress to obtain bipartisan support for the NIH Reform Act, key legislation that shaped the NIH to meet the challenges of a new century.” “Elias Zerhouni takes us through the powerful story of his life, from the shimmering shores of Algiers to the lofty halls of the U.S. Capitol, illustrating crucial lessons along the way. He wisely uses his memoir to further acquaint readers with the power and purpose of the NIH, an institution which profoundly shapes biomedical research throughout the United States and the larger world.” “Elias Zerhouni writes compellingly, and with remarkable modesty, candor, and good humor, about his extraordinary successes as a medical scientist, practitioner, executive, and engineer in academia, government, and industry. That he came to this country from Algeria enhances his compelling story and reminds us of how great our country can be.” “In Disease Knows No Politics, Dr. Elias Zerhouni recounts his adventurous path from a childhood marked by war in Algeria to the highest levels of scientific achievement at Johns Hopkins to the service of the United States and the global community as director of the National Institutes of Health. Zerhouni’s vivid memoir of a life devoted to pathbreaking science and its translation directly into the lives of patients and citizens should be read by anyone interested in sound policymaking and audacious leadership for the common good.”“Readers will find meaning and unforgettable lessons within the life and journey of Dr. Elias Zerhouni, a gifted immigrant physician-scientist, statesman, entrepreneur, and industry leader. From Algeria to the NIH, this memoir spans the American dream.” “The late Albert Szent-Györgyi, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1937, once asserted, “Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.” This quote encapsulates who Elias is: one who sees solutions, where others only see problems. An uncommon mind.” “This timely memoir delves into the worlds of science, medicine, business, and academia through the unique, paradigm-shifting lens of Dr. Zerhouni’s remarkable life journey. Disease Knows No Politics is both memoir and manifesto, reminding us of the need to keep partisan politics out of the treatment of disease and the importance of vigilantly protecting the NIH from encroaching ideological forces.” “Within 15 minutes of meeting him, it was clear to me that Dr. Elias Zerhouni was an idea-engine in a vehicle that was driving its chassis into glancing collisions with traditional guardrails. Disease Knows No Politics brings readers the life story of a tireless innovator and brave leader, driven by compassion and curiosity, whose focused intellectual energy transformed me and countless others who worked alongside him.”

Dr. Elias Zerhouni is an accomplished public servant who served as the 15th director of the National Institutes of Health (the first Arab American and immigrant to do so) under President George W. Bush and as a presidential envoy for science and technology under President Barack Obama.

Elias has been a global health research senior fellow at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a consultant to the World Health Organization, and a consultant to the White House under President Ronald Reagan, among other duties. He’s currently an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine and the U.S. National Academy of Engineering.

Elias is professor emeritus of radiology and biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University, and the author of more than 200 publications, and an inventor whose research has saved countless patients with suspected lung or breast cancer from unnecessary surgeries and advanced the field of cardiovascular MRI. An entrepreneur, Elias is president of OPKO Health, a multinational biopharmaceutical and diagnostics company, and co-founder and chairman of OPKO’s ModeX Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative, multi-specific biologic drugs for cancer and infectious diseases.

Edward James Kriz is a nonfiction author, novelist, and screenwriter, with a BA in creative writing (fiction and nonfiction) from Oberlin College, where he was mentored by acclaimed authors Dan Chaon and Sylvia Watanabe. As a screenwriter represented by Zero Gravity, James has several feature film projects in development. He’s collaborated with production companies across the globe, from Romania, to Los Angeles, to Beijing. James’ screenwriting has been honored by Franklin Leonard’s The Black List site, scoring in the top percentile of thousands of scripts.