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TAACS Advisor Recognized in Fight Against Polio  
Presenting Ogden with the Paul Harris Fellow award, James Lacy, chairman of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, expressed appreciation of Ogden’s contributions to reducing the number of global polio cases. Since 1988, global efforts have reduced the number of cases worldwide from 350,000 annually to just 1,349 in 2005. Yet polio remains highly concentrated in several regions. Sixty-five percent of the people infected with the polio virus live in India’s Uttar Pradesh state. Ellyn coordinates the Global Polio Eradication program under the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Technical Advisors in AIDS, Child Survival, Infectious Diseases, Population and Basic Education (TAACS) project. As the Child Immunization and Polio Advisor, she oversees the technical, managerial and operational eradication activities in several developing countries. At the same ceremony, the USAID/India mission also recognized Ogden’s dedication to reducing polio in India. James Kunder, USAID’s Assistant Administrator for Asia and the Near East, presented Ogden with the mission’s award. Kunder cited Ogden’s many achievements in her work in India, calling her an “effective partner in polio eradication.” He described Ogden’s successful lobbying efforts for funding from G-8 partners, as well her work in developing partnerships with the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Rotary International. These organizations comprise the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Kunder stated, “[Her] dedication and brilliance have lead to dramatic declines in polio in India.” This was not the first time USAID recognized Odgen’s successes in working to eradicate polio. In 2003, the USAID Global Health Bureau presented her the “Sustained Outstanding Achievement Award” in Washington DC. The award recognized Ogden’s tireless commitment to polio eradication across the globe. Ogden has been involved in polio eradication activities under the TAACS project since 1997. Read more about the TAACS project. |
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Feb. 1, 2006—Recognized for her work in helping to eradicate polio worldwide, CEDPA technical advisor Ellyn Ogden received a prestigious award from Rotary International in January. 
