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Who is Paul Farmer?
Dr. Paul Farmer was a globally recognized American medical anthropologist and physician who was most renowned for his humanitarian work in providing “first world” health care to “third world” people. Initially, he started the project in Haiti and has since expanded to many other nations.
Besides, he was also the founding member of ‘Partners In Health’ (PIH), a global social justice and health organization, and was renowned as “the man who would cure the world”. Sadly, Dr. Paul Farmer passed away on 21st February, 2022, at the age of 62.
Profile of Paul Farmer
| Full Name | Paul Edward Farmer |
| Popular As | Paul Farmer, The man who would cure the world |
| Birthdate | 26th October, 1959 |
| Place of Birth | North Adams, Massachusetts, U.S |
| Date of Death | 21st February, 2022 |
| Profession | Medical Researcher, Physician & Humanitarian |
| Nationality | American |
| Race / Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Education | PhD |
| University | Harvard University |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Age at the time of Death | 62 Years Old |
| Sun-sign | Undisclosed |
| Eye color | Hazel-Green |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Height | Undisclosed |
| Marital status | Married |
| Parents | Paul Sr. (Father) & Ginny Rice Farmer (Mother) |
| Siblings | Jeffrey “Jeff” Farmer |
| Spouse | Didi Bertrand |
| Children | Sebastian Farmer, Elizabeth Farmer & Catherine Farmer |
| Net Worth | $1-$2 Million USD |
Early-life, Education & Family Background
Paul Farmer, originally Paul Edward Farmer was born on 26th October, 1959 in North Adams, Massachusetts, United States. Accordingly, he was born to Ginny (Rice) Farmer and Paul Sr. Apparently, his mother served as a cashier at a supermarket while his father was a mathematician in a high school as well as a salesman. In addition, he was raised in Weeki Wachee, Florida along with his younger brother Jeffey “Jeff” Farmer who is a former wrestler.
As regards to his academic background, earned his high school diploma from Hernando High School in Brooksville, Florida, where he was named president of his senior class. Later, as a Benjamin N. Duke fellow, he attended Duke University and received his Bachelor’s of Arts in medical anthropology in 1982.
Eventually, Dr. Paul received his doctorate and Doctor of Philosophy in medical anthropology from Harvard University in 1990. Similarly, he completed an intern medicine residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in 1993 and an infectious disease fellowship in 1996. In addition, he was also board-certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, among other disciplines.
Dr. Paul Farmer’s Death
Unfortunately, Dr. Paul Farmer passed away on 21st February, 2022, in Butaro, Kigali, Rwanda, at the age of 62. According to authoritative sources, he died in his sleep in Kigali, Rwanda, from an abrupt cardiac event.
The sudden death of the American medical anthropologist came as a shock to his family, friends as well as well-wishers. Consequently, many have sent their grief as well as tribute on social media.
Paul Farmer’s Professional Career
Paul Farmer, a skilled physician and medical anthropologist devoted his time to improving health care for the world’s poorest population. Till the time of his death, he served as the Kolokotrones University Professor and Chair of Harvard Medical School’s Department of Global Health and Social Medicine.
Formerly, Dr. Paul held positions at Harvard Medical School as the Presley Professor of Medical Anthropology in the Department of Social Medicine. In May 2009, he was designated dean of Harvard Medical School’s Department of Global Health and Social Medicine. Likewise, in August 2009, Paul was appointed as the UN Deputy Special Envoy to Haiti, with the purpose of assisting in the improvement of the country’s economic and social conditions.
In addition, he was the co-founder and chief strategist of Partners In Health (PIH), a worldwide non-profit organization that has offered direct health care services, as well as research and advocacy, to the sick and impoverished since 1987. Further, he was a fellow of the American Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Besides, he was also a professor of medicine and the chief of the Division of Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, where he actually served as Chief of the Division of Global Health Equity, among other posts. Moreover, he also served as the editor-in-chief of the Health and Human Rights Journal.
In particular, he was stationed in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. Specifically, Dr. Paul was dubbed as “the man who would cure the world” based on the Pulitzer-prize-winning novel ‘Mountains Beyond Mountains’ authored by Tracy Kidder.
Honors & Achievements
Dr. Farmer was the recipient of numerous honors and allocates for his tremendous service in the medical filed. He received the Bronislaw Malinowski Award and the Margaret Mead Award from the Society for Applied Anthropology, and the Outstanding International Physician (Nathan Davis) Award from the American Medical Association. Additionally, he also claimed a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellowship. Meanwhile, he also received the Hilton Humanitarian Prize along with his PIH colleagues.
Similarly, Drew Gilpin Faust, President of Harvard University, along with the President and Fellows of Harvard College honored him the title of ‘University Professor’ on 17th December, 2010. Accordingly, it is the highest honor that the University can bestow upon a member of its faculty.
Nonetheless, Dr. Paul was appointed Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Community-based Medicine and Lessons from Haiti on December 28, 2012, a position he has held since 2010.
Paul’s Personal-life & Relationships
Dr. Paul Edward Farmer was married to Didi Bertrand since 1996. His wife Didi is also a medical anthropologist and community health specialist from Haiti. Additionally, Didi is an activist who aspires to empower girls and young women in Haiti and Rwanda and has led several initiatives at Partners in Health.
Nonetheless, the couple has three children namely Sebastian Farmer, Elizabeth Farmer & Catherine Farmer. Unfortunately, there are no details relating to their children’s profession and educational background. However, it has been revealed that their daughter Catherine is currently working as an activist.
Net Worth of Paul Farmer
It is known that Dr. Paul spent almost his entire life to a variety of humanitarian causes. Meanwhile, the details of his fortune have always been overshadowed by his philanthropic works as well as his contribution in the medical firm. Reportedly, Dr. Paul Farmer’s personal worth is projected to be in the range of $1 million and $2 million at the time of his death.