Statement on the Passing of the Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts III
By Louis W. Sullivan, M.D.
October 28, 2022
“Reverend Dr. Calvin Butts, III was an exceptional spiritual force, community activist and health leader who improved our world.
Among his many contributions were his initiatives to improve the health and wealth of African Americans and others. This included efforts to reduce illness and deaths from tobacco use, to eliminate substance misuse, to improve efforts to prevent and to treat HIV infections, to improve infant nutrition, expand employment for low-income Americans and strengthen business development in Harlem. At the time of his passing, Reverend Butts was the co-chair of a national group of Black ministers, working to increase COVID vaccination rates among the nation’s African American community.
Reverend Butts was a charismatic leader and an eloquent speaker, who always was in high demand in New York; Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts; Atlanta, Georgia and elsewhere around the country.
Those who were fortunate to know Calvin Butts or to work with him were inspired by the experience.
The Sullivan Alliance and its members extend sincere condolences to his wife, Patricia and family.”
–Louis W. Sullivan, M.D. Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1989 – 1993); president emeritus, Morehouse School of Medicine