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STEPHEN B. THACKER
CLASS OF 1965

The NEAA has recognized many Notable Alumni that have had internationally significant careers. Stephen B. Thacker, MD, MSc, RADm/asg (ret.), US Public Health Service, NE Class of ''65 was one such alumnus added to that list by the NEAA Board on the 50th anniversary of his NE graduation. Steve was co-valedictorian at NE, went to Princeton University, and held a medical degree from Mount Sinai School fo Medicine and a master's of science from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He did his residency at the Duke School of Medicine and then joined the Centers of Disease Control (CDC).

In 1976, on his second day as an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officer for theCDC, Dr. Thacker was sent to Philadelphia, PA to investigate an unknown illness outbreak among attendees of an American Legion convention. The investigation led to the identification of the Legionnaires' disease.

During his service, Dr. Thacker held such CDC leadership positions as Director of the Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Director of the Office of Workforce and Career Development, and Director of the Epidemiology Program Office. In addition to these permanent appointments, Dr. Thacker served in an acting capacity at different times as Deputy Director of CDC, Director of the National Center for Environmental Health, Director of the National Center for injury Prevention and Control, and Director of the National Center for Public Health Informatics.

Steve was known for his committed stewardship of many of CDC's flagship programs such as the Epidemic Intelligence Service. For 37 years at the CDC, Steve worked on public health issues for people across the globe as he was instrumental in launching the Field Epidemiology Training Programs in more than 35 countries around the world. His accomplishments were recognized through more than 40 major awards and commendations during his professional career. His more that 240 publications on public health will continue his influence on public health practice well into the future.

Steve’s contributions were cut short at the age 65 when he died from complications of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a degenerative neurological illness that causes rapid deterioration of the brain. The naming of the Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library in Atlanta established a lasting memory of his service. The library includes the Stephen B. Thacker Legacy Exhibit which showcases the distinguished awards and investigative papers that reflect the outstanding career of this outstanding 1965 graduate of Northeast High School.

Thacker also delighted in his role as a husband, father and grandfather. He coached his daughter's high school girls' basketball team for 20 years. To acknowledge his devotion to the school, the girls' locker room at St. Pius X Catholic High School in Atlanta, GA was dedicated to Coach Thacker.

Northeast High School was fortunate to have a student that made such amazing contributions to the people of the world. You can learn much more about Steve Thacker and his service by visiting the website: www.teamthacker.com.