Dr. Gayle Summary

Doctor Helene Gayle estimates that more than 5.3 million individuals are newly infected with AIDS each year. It was imperative that she enveloped leadership characteristics such as diplomacy and good interpersonal skills. In order to properly educate the community about prevention methods, and inform individuals about the epidemic, Dr. Gayle had to address a number of political, social, and economic forces. Although there is a great deal of information available about the causes of the AIDS epidemic, Dr. Gayle found herself challenged by stereotypes. The common misnomer is that gay, white males were the most infected by way of homosexual intercourse. However, Dr. Gayle identified that the vast majority of infected individuals identified as heterosexual. Additionally, one of the highest infection rates, as identified by Gayle, is through sharing needles for drugs. The purpose of Dr. Gayle’s Case Study was to educate people that populations …show more content…
Gayle utilized varying degrees of political power in her case study. First, she utilized connection power. This particular power is gained when a leader utilizes their connections with persons inside or outside of an organization to help them. Dr. Gayle relied on successful collaborations with “community, state, national, and international partners” (p. 15). In addition to working with public organizations, Dr. Gayle also collaborated with private, faith-based organizations. These connections are very important because they “serve as agents of social change” (p. 15). Dr. Gayle also utilized expert power. Because she has done extensive research, (both in-field and otherwise), of AIDS causes and prevention, she is known as a subject matter expert. She has been recognized and endorsed by the United States Surgeon General and Director of the CDC, Dr. David Satcher. Expert power, as defined by Grover Sterling is derived “from a leader’s reputation for special knowledge, expertise, or skill in a given area” (p.