José F. Cordero
Encyclopedia
Dr. José F. Cordero is a pediatrician, epidemiologist, teratologist and Dean of the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Puerto Rico. Cordero was an Assistant Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service and the founding director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.
School Of Medicine. In 1973 he earned his medical degree, then completed his internship in 1974 and his residency in 1975 at the Boston City Hospital in Boston
, Massachusetts
. In 1977, Cordero completed a fellowship in medical genetics at the Massachusetts General Hospital. In 1979, Cordero obtained a Masters in Public Health from Harvard University.
Together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cordero initiated a multi-state collaborative study to identify factors that may put children at risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and other developmental disabilities. Cordero was quoted as saying
In 1994, Cordero was appointed deputy director of the National Immunization Program, where he made important and long-lasting contributions to one of the nation's most successful public health programs. The Children’s Health Act of 2000 created the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) in Atlanta, Georgia
and, in 2001, Cordero was both a founding member and its first director. NCBDDD is a leading international institution devoted to research and prevention of birth defects and developmental disabilities, and the promotion of health amongst people of all ages who are living with disabilities.
(German measles), is a major cause of birth defects that can be prevented through vaccination. Cordero, whose work has been published in many national and international journals, has promoted the eradication of the disease. He has also promoted research to determine the causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities, and has promoted efforts to prevent serious birth defects (such as use of folic acid to prevent Spina Bifida
). He is a strong supporter of programs that promote wellness of persons with disabilities. Cordero served as President of the Teratology Society, a professional research society devoted to the prevention of birth defects.
.
Early years
Cordero was born in Puerto Rico, where he received his primary and secondary education. After graduating from high school he enrolled in the University Of Puerto RicoUniversity of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
School Of Medicine. In 1973 he earned his medical degree, then completed his internship in 1974 and his residency in 1975 at the Boston City Hospital in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. In 1977, Cordero completed a fellowship in medical genetics at the Massachusetts General Hospital. In 1979, Cordero obtained a Masters in Public Health from Harvard University.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
After earning his Masters degree, Cordero joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CGC) as an Epidemiologic Intelligence Service (EIS) officer. He spent 15 years as an EIS officer, working with the Birth Defects Branch on children's health and disability issues.Together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cordero initiated a multi-state collaborative study to identify factors that may put children at risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and other developmental disabilities. Cordero was quoted as saying
"We hope this national study will help us learn more about the characteristics of children with ASDs, factors associated with developmental delays, and how genes and the environment may affect child development"
In 1994, Cordero was appointed deputy director of the National Immunization Program, where he made important and long-lasting contributions to one of the nation's most successful public health programs. The Children’s Health Act of 2000 created the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and, in 2001, Cordero was both a founding member and its first director. NCBDDD is a leading international institution devoted to research and prevention of birth defects and developmental disabilities, and the promotion of health amongst people of all ages who are living with disabilities.
Eradication of Rubella
RubellaRubella
Rubella, commonly known as German measles, is a disease caused by the rubella virus. The name "rubella" is derived from the Latin, meaning little red. Rubella is also known as German measles because the disease was first described by German physicians in the mid-eighteenth century. This disease is...
(German measles), is a major cause of birth defects that can be prevented through vaccination. Cordero, whose work has been published in many national and international journals, has promoted the eradication of the disease. He has also promoted research to determine the causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities, and has promoted efforts to prevent serious birth defects (such as use of folic acid to prevent Spina Bifida
Spina bifida
Spina bifida is a developmental congenital disorder caused by the incomplete closing of the embryonic neural tube. Some vertebrae overlying the spinal cord are not fully formed and remain unfused and open. If the opening is large enough, this allows a portion of the spinal cord to protrude through...
). He is a strong supporter of programs that promote wellness of persons with disabilities. Cordero served as President of the Teratology Society, a professional research society devoted to the prevention of birth defects.
Legacy
Cordero, who worked for 27 years at the CDC and served as an Assistant Surgeon General of the Public Health Service, is the Dean of the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Puerto Rico. His work has been published in many national and international scientific and medical journals. Cordero is affiliated with the Mount Sinai Medical Center of New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
See also
- List of Puerto Ricans
- Puerto Rican scientists and inventors