Richard Besser

Richard Besser

Keynote Speaker: President & CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Former Chief Health & Medical Editor for ABC News

Richard Besser Biography

Richard Besser is President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the largest private foundation in the country devoted solely to improving health. An advocate for healthy communities and economic inclusion, Dr. Besser emphasizes the importance of accountable public health systems and racial justice. He played a significant role in prioritizing health equity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before joining RWJF in April 2017, he was Chief Health and Medical Editor for ABC News, where he provided medical analysis and commentary for all ABC News broadcasts and platforms, including "World News Tonight with David Muir," "Good Morning America" and "Nightline." He also reported on the Zika outbreak in Brazil and Ebola in Liberia. In 2011, Dr. Besser led ABC's global health coverage, "Be the Change: Save a Life," reporting on health issues from seven different countries.

Dr. Besser came to ABC News from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where he served as Acting Director from January to June 2009, during which time he led the CDC's response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic. He also served as Director of the Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response. In that role, he was responsible for all of the CDC's public health emergency preparedness and emergency response activities.

Dr. Besser began his career at the CDC in 1991 in the Epidemic Intelligence Service working on the epidemiology of food-borne diseases. Following this, beginning in 1993, he served for five years on the faculty of the University of California, San Diego as the pediatric residency director. While in San Diego, he worked for the county health department on the control of pediatric tuberculosis. He returned to the CDC in 1998, where he served in various capacities, including as epidemiology section chief in the Respiratory Diseases Branch; acting chief of the Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch in the National Center for Infectious Disease; and as medical director of "Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work," the CDC's national campaign to promote appropriate antibiotic use in the community.

Dr. Besser is a National Academy of Medicine member and serves on multiple boards, including Howard University's board of trustees. He volunteered as a pediatrician for over 30 years in community clinics across the country and and was honored with the Surgeon General's Medallion for his significant contributions to public health. In 2011, he received the Dean's Medal from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in recognition of his impactful work in the field.

Dr. Besser received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Williams College and his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed a residency and chief residency in pediatrics at John Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Richard Besser and other top speakers and celebrities.

Richard Besser Speaking Topics

Children's Health & Wellness

Pandemics, Preparedness & Public Health

Promoting Health: A View from Both Sides of the Camera

Richard Besser Videos

Dr. Richard Besser - ABC News
Richard Besser, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation CEO | Dean's ...
Richard Besser* / Washington Ideas 2017 - YouTube

How do I book Richard Besser to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Richard Besser for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Richard Besser, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Richard Besser or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Richard Besser for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Richard Besser, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $20,000 - $30,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Richard Besser, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Richard Besser speak about?

Richard Besser is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Health, Healthcare, News & Media, Technology, Innovation, Creativity, World Affairs, Medicine, Broadcasting and Public Health.

Where does Richard Besser travel from?

Richard Besser generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Richard Besser?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Richard Besser for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Richard Besser for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Richard Besser or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Richard Besser is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Health, Healthcare and News & Media. The estimated speaking fee range to book Richard Besser for live events is $20,000 - $30,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Richard Besser generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Marty Makary, M.D., David Agus and Dr. Joel Selanikio. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Richard Besser for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 03/08/2024.

Richard Besser Speaking Topics

  • Children's Health & Wellness

  • Pandemics, Preparedness & Public Health

  • Promoting Health: A View from Both Sides of the Camera

Richard Besser Videos

Dr. Richard Besser - ABC News
Richard Besser, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation CEO | Dean's ...
Richard Besser* / Washington Ideas 2017 - YouTube
RWJF's New President Richard Besser Hits the Ground Learning ...

Richard Besser News

  • How do I book Richard Besser to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Richard Besser for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Richard Besser, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Richard Besser or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Richard Besser for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Richard Besser, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $20,000 - $30,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Richard Besser, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Richard Besser speak about?

    Richard Besser is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Health, Healthcare, News & Media, Technology, Innovation, Creativity, World Affairs, Medicine, Broadcasting and Public Health.
  • Where does Richard Besser travel from?

    Richard Besser generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Richard Besser?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Richard Besser for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Richard Besser for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Richard Besser or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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RICHARD BESSER

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