In an interview with Robin M. Ikeda, MD, MPH, Epidemic Intelligence Service '91, we explore the remarkable career of a public health professional whose dedication to the field spans decades and extends well beyond her time at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dr. Ikeda served as the director of the Office of Noncommunicable Diseases, Injury and Environmental Health at CDC, working across an exceptional breadth of roles—in the field and at CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta, GA, at the team, branch, division and center levels—with a particular focus on the often-underfunded corners of public health: injury, environmental health, birth defects and disability and chronic disease.
As a donor to the CDC Foundation's Epidemic Intelligence Service Alumni Association (EISAA) Leading the Way Endowment campaign—which strengthens the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) program and the EISAA network—Dr. Ikeda brings the perspective of a former EIS officer who never stopped believing in the power of public health to protect and improve lives.
In this interview with the CDC Foundation, Dr. Ikeda reflects on hard-won achievements, the current challenges facing the field and what gives her hope for the future.
Robin Ikeda and her colleagues from CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Robin Ikeda with her family, including her husband, children and nephew at CDC’s Autism Awareness event in 2017
Why has public health remained important to you?
There are so many things I could mention! The field remains vitally important on every level—global, national, state, county, community. One only needs to open the newspaper to see evidence of this. And yet, it's a challenging time for public health. The value of the field is being questioned. Criticisms of public health and its work are widespread. In the face of this, the importance of public health and the need to explain and defend it is more necessary than ever.
What brings you hope when you think about public health? What are your hopes for the future of public health?
A lot of things bring me hope. Reflecting on public health successes helps remind me why I went into public health in the first place. Not too long ago, I was in Philadelphia, which made me think about the 1976 outbreak of what later became known as Legionnaire's disease. Just a couple weeks ago, I had an email exchange with one of my cousins about the recent decrease in youth suicide rates with the rollout of 988, the national suicide prevention hotline. Similarly, I was just reading that the rate of smoking among American adults has dropped below 10 percent for the first time. These achievements highlight the ability of public health to make a real difference, and that brings me hope.
Another thing that always makes me happy and optimistic is talking with young people about public health. Of course, it's very special and particularly exciting to speak with those who are pursuing a career in public health. But even among those who are not, many are interested and curious about public health. They care about the world and their fellow man and are enthusiastic about the role of public health, all of which reinforces my feelings of hope.
In terms of the future of public health: I'm hopeful that the challenges to public health that we're experiencing now are short-lived. More people are paying attention to public health; they want to understand what the issues are and why the field matters. So, I'm also hopeful that perhaps one positive outcome of the current environment is that the general population will have a better appreciation of the power and value of public health.
US Surgeon General, Jerome Adams, joins Robin Ikeda and others at the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors in February 2018
Steve Cochi and Robin Ikeda took advantage of Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health's proximity to earn their public health degrees while working at the CDC.
When you reflect on your tenure at CDC, what are your proudest moments?
I'm proud to have worked in a number of places and roles across the agency—in the field, at headquarters, at the team, branch, division and center levels, on specific subject areas (e.g., injury) and in different functional areas (e.g., workforce, policy, science). I'm particularly proud of having spent most of my tenure working in non-infectious disease areas (injury, environmental health, birth defects/disability, chronic disease). This side of public health often did not get the attention consistent with the deaths/illness resulting from these conditions.
What would you share with a prospective donor to the CDC Foundation?
Public health affects and protects us all. I truly believe that you could speak with most any CDC staff member and they would be able to readily explain why their work is important and how it contributes to the health and well-being of the nation. Given its preventive approach, public health is also a good value for the buck. Last, but not least, public health is currently facing some very difficult times, with the value of our work being challenged—so support from donors is even more critical right now.
How has your collaboration with the CDC Foundation impacted you?
Ever since its inception, the CDC Foundation has worked tirelessly to support and enhance the work of the agency. As a CDC staff member, I was always so appreciative of the foundation and its efforts. The foundation has enabled us to "extend our reach" in many ways not always easily available to a federal entity. Actions such as building non-traditional partnerships and delivering innovative communication messages really complement and augment the work at CDC.
More recently, I was very excited to learn about the Leading the Way Endowment campaign, which was developed to strengthen both the EIS program and the EIS Alumni Association network. Since I began my public health career as an EIS officer, I was delighted to donate to the campaign. EIS was a wonderful training experience and had a huge impact on my decision to pursue a career in public health. Over the course of my tenure at CDC, I stayed connected to the program, both supervising and working with EIS officers.
Like everything else, the future of public health depends on the next generation! Programs like EIS introduce individuals to the possibility of a career in public health early on and provide the experiential training needed to get started. Encouraging and supporting those with an interest in public health is key to ensuring that the public health of tomorrow remains strong.
Robin Ikeda and fellow EIS alum, Henry Falk, at an EISAA event hosted by the CDC Foundation in November 2025
Robin Ikeda and her husband Jonathan Waltuck on vacation
Dr. Ikeda's career is a testament to the breadth and depth of what public health can accomplish—and to the belief that the work doesn't end when you leave the building. From the field to headquarters, from injury prevention to workforce development, she has spent a lifetime making the case that prevention saves lives and continues to do so through generous support of the next generation of public health professionals.
Please reach out to Sean Allen, senior advancement officer, by phone at 404.476.0205 or by email to learn more about investing in the future of public health leaders through programs such as the Oz Nelson Public Health Academy and the EISAA’s Leading the Way Endowment campaign or to share your public health story and why public health is important to you. We would love to hear from you.
