Roger Glass Selected for 2026 James and Sarah Fries Prize for Health Improvements

The CDC Foundation announced Dr. Roger Glass as the winner of the 2026 James and Sarah Fries Prize for Improving Health. The award, accompanied by a $100,000 grant, is being presented today at the American Public Health Association’s annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

Glass is recognized for his role in identifying rotavirus as a primary cause of severe pediatric diarrhea and for spearheading global surveillance and immunization efforts. During his tenure at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), he established a gastroenterology unit that provided training for scientists in over 50 countries, facilitating the development of diagnostic tools and data-driven vaccine policies.

A significant focus of his career involved addressing the global health disparity regarding vaccine access. Partnering with research institutes in India, Glass helped develop a cost-effective rotavirus vaccine that reached the market at a significantly lower price point than existing global options. This model supported the integration of rotavirus vaccines into immunization programs in more than 140 nations, contributing to a substantial reduction in childhood mortality.

Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, credited Glass with ensuring that scientific innovation translates into tangible public health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Prior to his current role as president of the CMB Foundation, Glass served as the long-standing director of the Fogarty International Center at the National Institutes of Health.