EGHI Mourns the Passing of Dr. Stephen Blount

The Emory Global Health Institute mourns the loss of Dr. Stephen Blount, MD, MPH, a global health champion and EGHI Advisory Board member. Dr. Blount provided compassionate, thoughtful, and rich guidance and was a mentor, a colleague, and a friend. We will miss him dearly.

Dr. Stephen Blount, MD, MPH

Dr. Blount spent 25 years at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a succession of leadership positions, including director of the CDC’s Office of Global Health from 1997 to 2005 and director of the Coordinating Office of Global Health from 2005 to 2010. He made a significant impact with numerous programs, including those related to AIDS, global immunization, disease eradication, malaria, tuberculosis, measles, and tobacco control.

In 2013, Dr. Blount took on the position of director of Special Health Projects at the Carter Center. In that role, Blount supported the Center's work to intensify binational coordination between the Dominican Republic and Haiti to eliminate malaria and lymphatic filariasis on the island of Hispaniola. He also led the Center's effort to expand public health training in low-resource countries.

Upon his retirement, Dr. Blount served as chair of the Center’s International Task Force for Disease Eradication, advisor to the Hispaniola Initiative, and director of Special Health Projects with the Public Health Training Initiative. 

Born in Detroit, MI, Dr. Blount earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology (1975) and Medical Degree from Tufts University (1978). He also held a Master of Public Health Degree from the University of Michigan (1980).

Dr. Blount lived in Atlanta for many years before moving to South Orange, NJ six months ago to be closer to family. He is survived by wife Linda Goler Blount; children Stephanie (Joseph Kenol) and Joseph Blount (Laura); siblings Matthew and Sharon Blount; and grandchildren Barry, Davis, and Isabella. A memorial service will be held in Atlanta at a later date.