FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, April 29, 2025
Contact: Gina DiGravio, 617-358-7838, ginad@bu.edu
BU Researcher Receives Bayard Rustin Award for Courage
The Boston Medical Center infectious disease physician focuses on low-cost interventions and HIV management for vulnerable populations.
(Boston)—Cassandra Pierre, MD, MPH, MSc, assistant professor of medicine at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, has received the Bayard Rustin Award for Courage at the 35 th annual Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast.
Pierre is an infectious diseases physician and hospital epidemiologist at Boston Medical Center. She also serves as medical director of its public health programs, which provide resources for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus, and sexually transmitted infection prevention as well as connections to care and management throughout the hospital with the support of state and local public health agencies.
Pierre’s research is focused on preventing infection in vulnerable populations, including the implementation of low-cost infection control interventions to reduce bacteremia among neonates in low-income settings. Her clinical interests include HIV management in subpopulations like pregnant women.
Founded by community members in 1990 and proudly established by the AIDS Action Committee (now a division of Fenway Health), the Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast has long served as an annual beacon of HIV/AIDS awareness, advocacy, and support.