WebMD Health Heroes

As catalysts for change, the couple makes global health a priority. Their foundation works to defeat severe poverty, decrease health disparities, and improve access to education for all.

For the past 35 years, the organization has created and delivered medically-tailored meals for people in New York’s metro area who are living with serious illnesses. In May, God’s Love will drop off its 25 millionth scratch-made meal.

As an epidemiologist and founder of Cure Violence, his life’s work has been devoted to stopping worldwide societal offenses.

The author, professor, and sociologist is called the “Father of Environmental Justice” because of his tireless efforts to bring attention to environmental racism and climate justice in minority communities.

At age 7, crossing the border undocumented from Mexico to the U.S. was a life-changing experience. Now, she serves as a health educator to help immigrants with everything from mental maladies to career goals.

With the high rate of maternal mortality affecting the black community, she is at the forefront. As co-director and research lead for the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, putting a spotlight on this issue and implementing change is her mission.

Although she comes from a family known for politics, medicine is her first love. As the author of A World Without Cancer, which is also a one-hour show on Amazon.com, the philanthropist promotes disease prevention and advocates for global health.

After losing his mother to clear cell sarcoma, the singer-songwriter wanted to honor her. Partnering with Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C), the SU2C-Kate McGarrigle Fund raises money for sarcoma research and gives musicians a chance to record songs inspired by their cancer journey.

Growing up with a sister with autism, she wanted to help those with developmental disabilities. To date, the Yale University junior is a member of the International Society for Autism Research, and offers health education workshops to students in New Haven, CT.

As a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, she has many roles. Being a mentor is one of them. Creating two apps for her students to succeed, she was recently named the Medical Student Educator of the Year by the Association of University Radiologists.

As founder of the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium, which recently celebrated its 20 th anniversary, she is a leader in palliative care. Recognized for her national and international work, she was recently elected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine.