In my most recent column, I shared a few accounts from my personal and professional life that I consider “Stories Worth Telling” – narratives that provide insight into my views and values on preventing illness and promoting community health.
Today, I’d like to share one more – the story of a rural Montana boy who grew up to become the world-class scientist and great public health champion Maurice Hilleman. Still largely unknown, Hilleman was born and raised on a farm in Custer County. He was driven by his work ethic, love of plants and animals, and a belief that “the world should be better for having been in it”.
When I first learned of him in a college microbiology class, many elements of his story intrigued me. He grew up in the same era as my grandparents and in similar circumstances: on a farm in rural Montana, raising cattle, chickens, and vegetables. The future scientist took a special interest in the chickens, caring for them and getting to know them. That experience proved invaluable, as many of his achievements involved chicken eggs.
