Sharing News on Jose G. “Oying” Rimon II and the Gates Institute
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing today with two pieces of news—the first of which is bittersweet. Our wonderful colleague Jose G. “Oying” Rimon II has decided to retire from the faculty after a distinguished career in public health that has spanned more than 40 years. This includes ten years of visionary leadership at the Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health.
Second, I am excited to share that the Institute has been renamed the William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health. The Institute’s new name honors the late Bill Sr. and his inspirational role in philanthropy and lifelong contributions to improving global health and health equity. The renaming also honors Bill Sr.’s foundational support to establish the Institute 24 years ago—an investment that enabled the Institute to make positive disruptions to increase family planning access and improve reproductive health across the world.
Under its new name, the Institute will continue its work to accelerate locally led progress in gender equity and sexual and reproductive health and rights, with a focus on identifying ideas that can make the greatest impact in under-resourced and marginalized communities. Looking to the future, the Institute is also unveiling a refreshed 2023-2030 vision, mission, and strategy. You can learn more here.
We are grateful to Oying for his incredible work to strongly position the Institute as it continues to grow and evolve to meet the world’s needs. Building on the work of his predecessors, he transformed the Gates Institute into a powerful force for good. Through his deeply collaborative and innovative efforts, he has protected health, saved lives, and helped people around the world shape their own futures. Oying is a dedicated leader with an entrepreneurial spirit that he brings to all of his work and to the organizations he leads. He has made an impact that is felt throughout our School and the field of sexual and reproductive health. You can read more about his career here.
I am grateful that Oying will continue to serve as director of the Gates Institute while a global search is conducted for his successor. The search committee will be chaired by Michael Klag, MD, MPH, Dean Emeritus and Second Century Distinguished Professor. When the time comes, we will of course look for opportunities to celebrate Oying. For now, please join me in thanking him for his incredible leadership at the School and his decades of service to public health.
Sincerely,
Ellen J. MacKenzie, PhD ’79, ScM ’75
Dean
Bloomberg Distinguished Professor