Gordon Wesley Perkin

PATH co-founder and radical visionary in global health. He was born Toronto, ON, Canada, on April 25, 1935, died of lung cancer Seattle, WA, USA Aug 21, 2020, aged 85 years. In 1972, working for the Ford Foundation Brazil, Gordon Perkin advanced an unconventional approach. What prompted it his attempt to devise a new strategy improving access contraception people low-income middle-income countries (LMICs). During 1960s 1970s, some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) viewed commercial as part problem international development rather than solution; formal partnerships between two were generally frowned on. memo, Contraceptive Introduction, Manufacture Supply (CIMS), upended conventional wisdom. Far from viewing private enterprise barrier, saw resource. Success grappling with greatest health problems, he argued, would be difficult without mobilising its resources expertise. The public–private went advocate are now accepted matter course—a change that spent much career helping put into effect. studied medicine at University after graduating, 1959, worked general practitioner Maple outskirts Toronto. 2 years later joined Ortho Research New Jersey USA, subsequently Planned Parenthood Federation America. 1966, moved again, this time become Foundation's population adviser Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Brazil. Among those who read CIMS memo another employee, Richard Mahoney, then reproductive biology contraceptive development. fired imagination. 1977, together Duncan, scientist experience sector, Mahoney created what they called Program Introduction Adaptation Technology (PIACT). “We didn't know how make good acronyms days”, chuckles. PIACT embodied which introduction programmes LMICs relied collaboration. There resistance But encouraged by their success family planning, three friends decided diversify, initially oral rehydration diarrhoeal disease. This, course, necessitated name. 1980, settled Appropriate Health—PATH. Under Perkin's guidance organisation backed use innovation scientific rigour create interventions appropriate local needs. served PATH's President until 1999. Did colleagues ever imagine non-profit grow present size? “Yes”, says “and I say hubris”. recalls how, when approaching WHO building Geneva, Switzerland, point nearby empty lot. “Future headquarters PATH”, say. Geographically speaking wrong, but other respects spot With 1600 more 70 countries, PATH, is based has one largest NGOs Michael Free, Senior Advisor Emeritus began almost beginning. Talking role creating driving forward, friend colleague really have ego. “He often functioned through people. master motivation…He managed gather around him creative people, entrepreneurial motivated own grand vision. It contentious crowd, somehow kept them line towards goal.” last full-time job director programme Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, post held 1999 retirement 2005. many contributions there help initiate support Gavi, Vaccine Alliance. Gavi's funding model yet expression idea had sketched out original memo. As Free says, “From early stage difference underserved communities, broadly.” describes having leadership skills, charisma, risk-taking vision, modesty, tenaciousness, adds “a magical ability see person's soul find best features”. survived wife, Elizabeth, sons, Scott Stuart.