Dedicated to Serving the Common Good: The Career of Admiral Timothy Ziemer
By Ellie Staab
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.
In 2006, Admiral Ziemer was asked by President Bush to lead the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). After some convincing from the White House, Admiral Ziemer ultimately accepted the position. Under Admiral Ziemer’s leadership, PMI saw unparalleled success as worldwide malaria deaths decreased by 40%. Many attribute this to Ziemer’s servant leadership style and his dedication to working with the people on the ground. His ability to focus on solving global health issues rather than fixating on politics has led Admiral Ziemer to find success regardless of the political climate. Admiral Ziemer held his position as U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator through three presidential administrations until he was appointed Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biodefense at the National Security Council by President Trump in 2017.
Guided by his faith, Admiral Ziemer’s career has been characterized by his openness and willingness to serve the common good. In sharing his reflections, Admiral Ziemer encouraged students to refrain from trying to plan their career paths too far out and to instead focus on being flexible. He also reminded students how privileged we are to have so many options and that regardless of what we choose to pursue, we can make a difference. As an undergraduate student trying to decide my next steps after Georgetown, it was encouraging to hear Admiral Ziemer’s words. I find that on Georgetown’s campus, it can be easy to get caught up in trying to create a 5 or 10-year plan for after graduation, when I’m not sure what I want to be doing a year after graduation. This conversation was a good reminder that if you find something, or a few things, that interest you and that you want to pursue, the job and the career will surely follow. The global health community is only strengthened by the diversity of experiences and backgrounds of its members.
Ellie Staab (COL ‘20) is an undergraduate in the College majoring in Biology of Global Health and minoring in Spanish.
This blog was written by a student in Georgetown’s Conversations in Global Health course, which brings leaders in global health to Georgetown to discuss their careers and work.