Co-founder and emeritus technical advisor
Dr. Robert Quick, MD, MPH, is a medical epidemiologist (retired) from the Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branchat the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a Board Member of SWAP. With extensive expertise in infectious disease prevention, waterborne illness control, and global public health, Dr. Quick has dedicated his career to improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutionsfor vulnerable populations worldwide. His research has played a pivotal role in identifying and addressing the challenges of enteric diseases in the developing world, particularly in Latin America and Africa, where cholera and other waterborne diseases remain a significant threat to public health.
For over 30 years, Dr. Quick led innovative research and field interventions at CDC, developing and implementing evidence-based solutions for waterborne disease prevention. He co-developed the Safe Water System (SWS), a low-cost, household-based water quality intervention that has been successfully piloted and scaled in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Through strategic collaborations with Rotary, NGOs, UN agencies, academic institutions, and public and private sector partners, he has helped expand the reach of WASH interventions, particularly for people living with HIV/AIDS and other high-risk communities. His commitment to bridging scientific research and practical implementation continues to inspire global efforts to ensure equitable access to safe water and improve public health outcomes in resource-limited,