The announcement that President Barack Obama has nominated Dartmouth College president Dr. Kim to head the World Bank came to us today coordinated with national and international press releases. “The nomination of Dr. Kim, who helped found Partners in Health and directed the World Health Organization’s department of H.I.V./AIDS, would recognize the importance of health issues in global development, elevating them to parity with finance. His work has emphasized bringing effective medicine to the poor.”

While this nomination may be a surprising one, for a physician to head an international financial institution, the choice is stellar in terms of recognizing Dr. Kim’s experience and leadership, and the importance of health and health care in international development.