In 1985, Rotary International made the decision to tackle polio eradication. In 1988, it officially launched the effort, hoping to complete eradication by 2004 when the global service organization celebrated its centennial celebration. Now 15 years late, Michael McGovern, the volunteer chair of Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee says he and Rotary are committed to finishing what they started.
Early in his Rotary career, which spans more than three decades, one of the members asked him out for drinks and asked him to make a pledge to fight polio. “That was an expensive drink,” he says of his commitment. He’s still following up on that today.
Interview with Michael K. McGovern, the Chair of Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee of Rotary International.
The following is the pre-interview with Michael K. McGovern. Be sure to watch the recorded interview above.
What is your personal or professional connection to polio?
Chair of Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee since 2014
Where are you presently focused?
We have the wild poliovirus cornered in the smallest geographic area in history, and Rotary is doubling down on our commitment to end polio for good.
How do we get from where we are to total polio eradication?
We must remain vigilant in rallying global political and financial support as we push towards a polio-free world.
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