Neil Vora, MD
@conservationdoc.bsky.social
86 followers 62 following 71 posts
Physician. Epidemiologist. Conservationist. Brazilian jiu jitsu fanatic. Personal account (views my own).
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conservationdoc.bsky.social
Rest in power, Jane Goodall.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
And while the challenges ahead are daunting, I know Jane would remind us: “Action is the best antidote to despair.”

It’s up to us to carry her legacy forward. We owe it to her.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
Right now, I grieve for all of us who were touched by her existence and now must carry on without her. Jane was our beacon of hope in a world where nature is collapsing around us — a crisis that has only intensified in recent months.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
Jane lived a life of deep purpose. She squeezed every drop out of it, dedicating herself to what mattered most to the very last moment. In a recent interview, she spoke of death as her “next great adventure.” I believe she was ready.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
Her courage to defy expectations and follow her dreams as a young woman has inspired millions, including me.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
As a middle schooler, I was captivated by her journey to Tanzania, as told in a legendary issue of National Geographic. I even had the incredible honor of meeting her when I was 13 — she signed that very magazine.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
Jane Goodall was my first example of how a childhood love for nature could evolve into a lifelong purpose.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey; I’m grateful to do this sacred work alongside you.

Onwards.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
It’s also a call to action: while we’ve made progress, there’s still so much more to do, especially in the current moment.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
It reflects deep collaboration with incredible teammates with whom I share a vision for a future where both people and the planet thrive, and the generosity of so many mentors who have helped me achieve my childhood dream to work at the intersection of public health and environmental conservation.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
Recognition like this is always a bit complicated for me. While it’s meaningful to be acknowledged, the truth is that my work is never done alone.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
It’s easy to feel discouraged right now—especially if you work in public health, climate action, civil rights, or any mission-driven field. But it’s an honor to do this work. It’s sacred. And the world needs it more than ever.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
They proceeded to thank me for my service—which wasn’t necessary. But what has stayed with me from this interaction is that even with the recent absence of strong ethical leadership at the top, many Americans still recognize and value the work of the CDC, NIH, and other federal health agencies.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
As far as I know, there has been no acknowledgment from the President, and only a delayed, lukewarm response from the HHS Secretary, RFK Jr.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
That sparked an unexpected conversation. Another staff member joined in, admitting that he hadn’t heard anything about the attack. Sadly, I wasn’t surprised. The act of terrorism barely registered in the media.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
I replied, “Yes—and it’s remarkable, considering many of its members just survived an attempted massacre.”
conservationdoc.bsky.social
While at a winestore in rural New York State this weekend, I happened to be wearing a t-shirt from my time in the U.S. Public Health Service. At checkout, one of the staff asked, “Does that even still exist?”
conservationdoc.bsky.social
Wishing everyone strength, inspiration, joy, and hope as we continue this journey of creation together. If you’re feeling the weight of the current moment, go to your local bookstore, library or wherever you get audiobooks and get this book. Your soul will thank you.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
Even if your current line of work doesn’t fully align with your “life purpose”, there are still things you can do. As Clover Hogan says, “We don’t need a hundred perfect activists; we need a million imperfect ones”.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
While I hope I'm making the most of my potential, I do feel grateful every day that I get to do the work I do, and it’s even more meaningful that I get to do it surrounded by so many wonderful people striving to build a better world.
conservationdoc.bsky.social
At one point, Jane notes that “We can never attain our full potential unless our head and heart work together”. This reminds me of an analogy shared by the activist Satish Kumar: “All of us have potential, just like every acorn has the potential to become an oak.”
conservationdoc.bsky.social
Jane Goodall has been my hero since childhood. In challenging times, I often turn to her for guidance—and that’s why I just read her "Book of Hope". It’s an incredible piece that reinforces for me that hope is not passive—it’s a discipline, a choice, and a call to action. 🧵
conservationdoc.bsky.social
I worry about the future of the United States—and the world. But history reminds us: we’ve faced challenging times before and emerged stronger. We must stay true to our principles.

As MLK said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”
conservationdoc.bsky.social
My heart breaks for CDC. I deeply admire its staff—those who have resigned in protest of the Trump Administration, and those who remain, committed to the mission.