Abdul El-Sayed
Summary
Abdul El-Sayed (born 1984) is a physician, epidemiologist, and former public health official. He earned his medical degree from Columbia University and obtained a doctorate from Oxford University after being named a Rhodes Scholar. He previously served as Detroit's Health Director (2015-2018) and Wayne County Health Director (2023-2025). He is also host of the podcast 'America Dissected' and author of 'Healing Politics: A Doctor's Journey into the Heart of Our Political Epidemic' and 'Medicare for All: A Citizen's Guide.' He is Muslim and was born and raised in Southeast Michigan to Egyptian immigrant parents.
Background
El-Sayed was born and raised in Southeast Michigan to Egyptian immigrant parents. After earning his medical degree from Columbia, he initially practiced medicine but became increasingly involved in public health work. He managed Detroit's privatized Health Department post-bankruptcy in 2015 and was recognized as one of youngest city health officials in U.S. He later restructured Wayne County's Department of Health to serve 1.8 million residents. He removed lead from schools, expanded Narcan access, and spearheaded program canceling up to $700 million in medical debt for 300,000 Michiganders. El-Sayed is Muslim and lives in Ann Arbor with his wife Sarah Jukaku and two daughters.