It is very expensive to give bad medical care to poor people in a rich country.

I can't think of a better model for Haiti rebuilding than Rwanda.

You can't have public health without a public health system. We just don't want to be part of a mindless competition for resources. We want to build back capacity in the system.

We've taken on the major health problems of the poorest - tuberculosis, maternal mortality, AIDS, malaria - in four countries. We've scored some victories in the sense that we've cured or treated thousands and changed the discourse about what is possible.

But as for activism, my parents did what they could, given the constraints, but were never involved in the causes I think of when I think of activists.

I think we will see better vaccines within the next 15 years, but I'm not a scientist and am focused on the short-term - what will happen in the interim.

I think that looking forward it's easy to imagine more constructive help for Haiti.