About Dr. Richard Besser

Dr. Richard Besser is ABC News’ Chief Health and Medical Editor. Besser has been with ABC since 2009 and appears regularly on “World News with Diane Sawyer,” “Good Morning America” and “Nightline.” Previously he had worked as Director of the Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Besser began working at the CDC in 1991 in the Epidemic Intelligence Service. He then worked at the University of California, San Diego, for five years before returning to the CDC once again. Besser filled various roles including Epidemiology Section Chief of the Respiratory Diseases Branch, Acting Chief of the Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch in the National Center for Infectious Disease and Medical Director of “Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work,” the CDC′s national campaign to promote appropriate antibiotic use.