It was a day of respect and celebration at the Department of Public Health's Jamaica Plain campus recently, as hundreds gathered on its steps and lawn to honor Dr. Alfred DeMaria, Jr., for whom the campus is now named. Dr. DeMaria, known fondly as "Dr. Al," is renowned for his 36-year tenure at the DPH, where he played key roles as state epidemiologist, chief medical officer, and assistant commissioner, among others, and led responses to major public health crises like HIV/AIDS and H1N1 influenza, as the Massachusetts government website reported.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah lauded Dr. DeMaria for his decades of service and impact on the field, stating on Mass.gov, "Today’s celebration recognizes a public health icon whose steady guidance, scientific expertise, and deep compassion have made our state healthier and more humane," while Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein highlighted the indelible mark left by Dr. DeMaria on public health: "He has safeguarded the health of millions, pushed the boundaries of infectious disease response, and ignited the passions of legions of public health professionals," as per the event coverage. Dr. DeMaria himself, in a display of modesty about his vast achievements, credited his colleagues, saying, "My colleagues are the true heroes of public health – I was just a part of the team," to the crowd that included five former Commissioners of Public Health.
DeMaria's career is also marked by his commitment to social justice, advocating for those on society's fringes, including the incarcerated, LGBTQ+ community members, substance users, and people with HIV and viral hepatitis. His support of the Massachusetts Public Health Museum and expertise on the history of infectious disease further cement his legacy as a multifaceted figure in health. "That unwavering trust is one of his greatest legacies," said H. Dawn Fukuda, DPH Assistant Commissioner and Director of the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, to the attendees on Mass.gov.
Legislators, including Representative Daniel Hunt and Senator Julian Cyr, played a crucial part in memorializing Dr. DeMaria's contributions through legislation; the bill they sponsored led to Governor Maura Healey signing it into law last January, officially designating the Jamaica Plain campus as the Dr. Alfred DeMaria, Jr. Campus, during a ceremony with all the trimmings of an illustrious career capped. Legislators and public health officials alike shared words echoing the sentiment of enduring gratitude for Dr. DeMaria’s public health service, as the campus took on a new name and an enduring legacy.
