Dr. Lucica Ditiu is a Romanian physician and public health expert who has acted as the Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership since May 2011. Under her leadership, the organization has acquired a clear identity as one of the most influential advocates of universal health coverage and a world without TB.

Dr Ditiu has devoted her career to supporting people affected by TB, especially those who are the most vulnerable, stigmatized and living in impoverished communities. A specialist in lung diseases, she began practicing medicine in 1992 in Romania. She commenced her global humanitarian career with the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2000 as a Medical Officer for TB in Albania, Kosovo and FYR Macedonia within the Disaster and Preparedness Unit. She has worked since then in the WHO and UN system at every level – national, subregional, regional, and global.

Dr Ditiu eschews inflexible rules, hierarchy, and formal meetings. Under her watch, the Stop TB Partnership has evolved into a lean, accountable, innovative, and progressive operation that continuously challenges the status quo.

Dr Ditiu is relentless in pushing for the inclusion of all people affected by TB in the programs and activities of the Stop TB Partnership. Her motto stems from the lyrics of a Romanian band: ""The day you give up is the day you die."" To date, she has not given up on her quest to end TB in her lifetime.