Jill Seaman

Jill Seaman is an American physician known for her work in South Sudan, particularly in the treatment of tuberculosis and kala-azar. She has been recognized for her efforts in providing healthcare in conflict zones and has been awarded the MacArthur Fellowship for her work.

Early life and education

Jill Seaman was born in the United States. She completed her medical education at the University of Washington School of Medicine, where she developed an interest in infectious diseases and global health.

Career

After completing her education, Seaman moved to Sudan in 1989, where she worked in the town of Old Fangak in the Jonglei state. She has spent over three decades in the region, treating diseases such as tuberculosis and kala-azar, a parasitic disease also known as visceral leishmaniasis.

Seaman is known for her innovative approach to treating these diseases. She developed a regimen for treating kala-azar during a major outbreak in the 1990s, which was later adopted by the World Health Organization as the standard treatment. She has also worked on improving the treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis.

In addition to her medical work, Seaman has advocated for increased international attention to the health crises in South Sudan. She has highlighted the need for more resources and support for healthcare in the region.

Recognition

Seaman's work has been recognized with several awards. In 1997, she was awarded the Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights. In 2000, she was named a MacArthur Fellow, a prestigious award often referred to as the "genius grant".

See also

• Health in South Sudan
• List of MacArthur Fellows