Helene D. Gayle: Bridging the Gap

Dr. Gayle's work is nothing short of impactful.

Worldwide Humanitarian - Dr. Gayle is more than just a humanitarian that rocks, she is a globe-trotting heroine whose work has helped improve the lives of those in some of the most desperate conditions. Her work stretches 70 countries and she has been recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the most powerful women in the world. (Photo: Steve Jennings/WireImage)

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Worldwide Humanitarian - Dr. Gayle is more than just a humanitarian that rocks, she is a globe-trotting heroine whose work has helped improve the lives of those in some of the most desperate conditions. Her work stretches 70 countries and she has been recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the most powerful women in the world. (Photo: Steve Jennings/WireImage)

Starting at a Young Age - Dr. Helene D. Gayle was born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y. According to a Newsweek article, her inspiration for pursuing medicine came from her parents who influenced her to "make people's lives better." (Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Blood:Water Mission)

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Starting at a Young Age - Dr. Helene D. Gayle was born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y. According to a Newsweek article, her inspiration for pursuing medicine came from her parents who influenced her to "make people's lives better." (Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Blood:Water Mission)

A Noble Path - After completing her medical residency, she set her sights on the U.S. Center for Disease Control. Her interest came from their epidemiology training program; and she would find herself working there for 20 years, eventually becoming a director. (Photo: Chip East/Reuters/Corbis)

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A Noble Path - After completing her medical residency, she set her sights on the U.S. Center for Disease Control. Her interest came from their epidemiology training program; and she would find herself working there for 20 years, eventually becoming a director. (Photo: Chip East/Reuters/Corbis)

Continued Push - From 2001 to 2006, Dr. Gayle worked with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a director of HIV, TB and Reproductive Health programs. Her work there helped broaden HIV/AIDS initiatives in countries such as Botswana and India and helped expand TB treatment throughout the planet. (Photo: Laurent Gillieron/EPA/Landov)

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Continued Push - From 2001 to 2006, Dr. Gayle worked with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a director of HIV, TB and Reproductive Health programs. Her work there helped broaden HIV/AIDS initiatives in countries such as Botswana and India and helped expand TB treatment throughout the planet. (Photo: Laurent Gillieron/EPA/Landov)

Made With CARE - In 2006, Dr. Gayle would continue her calling at another organization, becoming the President and CEO of CARE International. CARE is a humanitarian organization that specializes in combating poverty throughout the world and helping women in these nations. (Photo: PN2/ARB/WENN)

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Made With CARE - In 2006, Dr. Gayle would continue her calling at another organization, becoming the President and CEO of CARE International. CARE is a humanitarian organization that specializes in combating poverty throughout the world and helping women in these nations. (Photo: PN2/ARB/WENN)

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Empowerment - Though CARE services people from a variety of backgrounds, there has been a particular emphasis on empowering women in these burdened countries. In a 2013 interview with Huffington Post, Gayle stated that CARE has been responsible for launching "54,000 VSLAs (Village Savings and Loan Associations) in 21 African countries serving more than 1.9 million people (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

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Empowerment - Though CARE services people from a variety of backgrounds, there has been a particular emphasis on empowering women in these burdened countries. In a 2013 interview with Huffington Post, Gayle stated that CARE has been responsible for launching "54,000 VSLAs (Village Savings and Loan Associations) in 21 African countries serving more than 1.9 million people (Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

Storied Legacy - Founded in 1945, CARE has operated in 87 countries, delivering programs that are instrumental in improving conditions for the poor and providing humanitarian relief.  (Photo: Will Ragozzino/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

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Storied Legacy - Founded in 1945, CARE has operated in 87 countries, delivering programs that are instrumental in improving conditions for the poor and providing humanitarian relief.  (Photo: Will Ragozzino/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

Keeping Busy - In addition to her position at CARE, she also serves on a variety of boards, including The Coca-Cola Company, the Rockefeller Foundation, the New America Foundation and more. In addition, she holds honorary degrees from various institutions of higher education. (Photo: Shaun Heasley /Landov)

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Keeping Busy - In addition to her position at CARE, she also serves on a variety of boards, including The Coca-Cola Company, the Rockefeller Foundation, the New America Foundation and more. In addition, she holds honorary degrees from various institutions of higher education. (Photo: Shaun Heasley /Landov)

CARE and Beyond - Dr. Gayle continues to help improve the lives of countless people throughout the world. CARE continues to get ranked as one of the top NGO's in the world and Gayle has appeared in Forbes as one of the most powerful women on the planet. (Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

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CARE and Beyond - Dr. Gayle continues to help improve the lives of countless people throughout the world. CARE continues to get ranked as one of the top NGO's in the world and Gayle has appeared in Forbes as one of the most powerful women on the planet. (Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)