Allan Rosenfield, 1933-2008

When word came last week that Allan Rosenfield, former dean of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and longtime champion of women's health, died after an extended illness, a wave of sadness washed over the many thousands of us around the world who have admired Allan and been inspired by his public health heroism. Allan was an indefatigable advocate for better reproductive health services, for programs to reduce the toll of maternal mortality, and for interventions to prevent the transmission of HIV from mothers to children -- and no other public health leader has brought more energy, intelligence, humor and commitment to these causes. To get a small sense of Allan's influence, take a few moments to read the comments that are collecting on Nicolas Kristof's blog. Add your own thoughts to the chain.