Ambassador Eric Goosby, MD, was one of four recipients of the 2026 UCSF Medal, recognizing individuals whose lifetime achievements have made a profound and lasting impact on health and society. Presented by the UCSF Chancellor, the Medal celebrates leaders whose work embodies UCSF’s mission.
Eric Goosby has devoted his career to transforming HIV/AIDS care and advancing health worldwide. An internationally recognized infectious disease expert and UCSF professor, he helped pioneer San Francisco’s model of HIV care, led the Ryan White CARE Act program, and oversaw the expansion of PEPFAR, bringing lifesaving treatment to millions of people around the globe and aggressively moving countries toward elimination of pediatric HIV.
On August 26, IGHS celebrated Goosby’s accomplishments and legacy of transformative leadership, service, and impact-in San Francisco, across the nation, and around the world-upon his retirement from UCSF.
Remarks from UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood and IGHS Executive Director Payam Nahid were followed by a warm and congratulatory thank you from Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.
A panel of some of Goosby’s closest colleagues throughout his career, titled Eras of Impact, was moderated by Monica Ghandi, Professor and Associate Division Chief, Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine at UCSF and San Francisco General Hospital. These colleagues shared stories and experiences working with Goosby in San Francisco and global health programs, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and Ward 86, one of the first dedicated HIV clinics in the United States.
The event concluded with a moving performance from San Francisco’s Glide Ensemble.
