Global Health Institute

One of the major challenges facing global health leaders today is navigating polarizing political waters to achieve support for important health issues. Throughout his career, Admiral Timothy Ziemer, who serves as the Acting Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, has learned to do just that. On Tuesday, March 26, 2019, the Conversations in Global Health course welcomed Admiral Ziemer to reflect on his career and offer his thoughts on current issues confronting the global health community.

Admiral Ziemer has had an impressive career in public service, beginning with 30 years in the U.S. Navy. His interest and dedication to serving the common good, however, predates his time as a naval aviator. Admiral Ziemer, the son of two Christian missionaries, was raised in a small rural town in what is now Vietnam. During this time, Admiral Ziemer experienced first-hand the process of development as the U.S. sent livestock and agriculture experts to the region. He attributes his time in Ban Me Thuot to fueling his motivation to serve others as well as influencing how he has approached global issues in his various roles.

Following his service with the U.S. Navy, Admiral Ziemer took a position with the faith-based NGO, World Relief. Admiral Ziemer admits this transition was a difficult one as the culture shift between the military and the small Christian nonprofit was challenging. Nonetheless, it was while at World Relief that Admiral Ziemer claims he earned his “training wheels for development” and was introduced to global health.

On Tuesday, March 26, 2019, the "Conversations in Global Health" lecture series welcomed Rear Adm. Timothy Ziemer (retired) as he reflected on his career and shared insight into the fields of global health and development. Apart from the experiential wisdom Ziemer has acquired from his time serving with the U.S. Navy, USAID and the President’s Malaria Initiative, he also shared with us his refreshingly human perspective—one that is genuinely concerned with and focused on the individuals and communities that are directly affected by health and humanitarian crises.