Spectrum News: Doctor on frontline of COVID-19 pandemic and protests
UC infectious disease expert fights for social justice through medicine
Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UC College of Medicine is one of the leaders of UC's efforts to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Spectrum News profiled Fichtenbaum, highlighting his mission of social justice through medicine.
Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, with his guitar. Photo/Lisa Ventre/UC Creative + Brand
Fichtenbaum says he was heavily influenced by his parents, as they fought against social injustice in the 60s. So being an infectious disease doctor seemed to be the right fit.
“That wanting to help people and wanting to make a difference and so I think that’s what got me interested in infectious diseases," he said.
That’s why during one of the most stressful times in his career, he still made sure to make his voice heard this summer after George Floyd’s death.
“I think it’s very important to speak up whenever you hear about any sort of social injustice. Injustice for one is an injustice for all," he said.
Lead photo Joe Fuqua II/UC Creative + Brand
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Stay up on all UC's COVID-19 stories, read more #UCtheGood content, or take a UC virtual visit and begin picturing yourself at an institution that inspires incredible stories.
Related Stories
UC doctoral student shares his journey with Spectrum News
July 27, 2026
UC doctoral student Amota Ataneka spoke with Spectrum News about his educational journey. Ataneka, a native of the Pacific island nation of Kiribati, is one of 35 emerging scholars across the United States to win the National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship.
How scammers can persuade you with AI
July 27, 2026
Spectrum News recently dove into how cloning voices with artificial intelligence is making it easier to scam people over the phone. The news outlet spoke with Kimberly Hyun, assistant professor of marketing at UC’s Lindner College of Business, to examine why AI is making it so much easier to trick people.
Building community
July 27, 2026
The inaugural Ultra-SLP Conference brought together clinicians and researchers from across the country to advance the practice of using ultrasound technology to treat disorders of speech and swallowing.