--- title: TIME100 Health Honorees Toast to Making Change and Facing Fear description: Bill Nye, Tahmeed Ahmed, Ronita Nath, and Damar Hamlin spoke at the 2025 TIME100 Health Impact Dinner. canonical: https://time.com/7284464/health-impact-dinner-toasts-bill-nye-tahmeed-ahmed-ronita-nath-damar-hamlin/ author: Charlotte Hu article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2025-05-14T03:00:00.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:50:04.279Z article:section: Health og:title: TIME100 Health Honorees Toast to Making Change and Facing Fear og:description: Bill Nye, Tahmeed Ahmed, Ronita Nath, and Damar Hamlin spoke at the 2025 TIME100 Health Impact Dinner. og:url: https://time.com/7284464/health-impact-dinner-toasts-bill-nye-tahmeed-ahmed-ronita-nath-damar-hamlin/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc9263110644be615/6998c68ae2d64bb657c5f53f/time100-health-event-001.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2400 og:image:height: 1350 og:image:alt: time100-health-event-001 og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: TIME100 Health Honorees Toast to Making Change and Facing Fear twitter:description: Bill Nye, Tahmeed Ahmed, Ronita Nath, and Damar Hamlin spoke at the 2025 TIME100 Health Impact Dinner. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc9263110644be615/6998c68ae2d64bb657c5f53f/time100-health-event-001.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # TIME100 Health Honorees Toast to Progress, Affirmation Over Fear, and Changing a ‘Heartbreaking Reality’ > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Health Matters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Health Matters is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. The latest health news and expert advice on living well. Health Matters makes the fast-moving world of health more useful, surprising and human, from the latest science and medical breakthroughs to practical ideas for living better. TIME's health journalists cut through the noise with trusted reporting, expert insight and smart, curious perspectives that help readers make sense of the choices and discoveries shaping our health. 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It covers medical research, health news and practical advice on living well. #### Where can I get reliable health news by email? Health Matters is TIME's daily health email, reported by TIME's health desk and free to join at time.com/newsletters. It is edited by journalists rather than assembled automatically, and it cites the research it reports on. #### Is Health Matters free? Yes. Health Matters is a free daily newsletter from TIME, available at time.com/newsletters. #### Who reads TIME's Health Matters newsletter? Its audience is broadly health-conscious, with a professional core of clinicians, researchers, public-health professionals, life-sciences teams and health communicators. ## Video: Watch Damar Hamlin' Toast at the TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of Health [Watch (HLS stream): Watch Damar Hamlin' Toast at the TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of Health](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/8UUinjjU.m3u8) (5:20)  _Published 2025-05-14. Damar Hamlin, NFL player and philanthropist, tells the crowd that “if you had told me just a couple of years ago that I’d be giving a toast at the TIME100 Health Impact Dinner … I probably would’ve told you you were crazy.” But life doesn’t always go as planned, he acknowledges. His sudden cardiac arrest on the field in 2023 and the journey that followed have made him realize that his mission is bigger than football._  by [Charlotte Hu](https://time.com/author/charlotte-hu/)  ## Charlotte Hu Associate Editor May 14, 2025 3:00 AM UTC  Damar Hamlin, Ronita Nath, Bill Nye, Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed Damar Hamlin, Ronita Nath, Bill Nye, Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed Michael Loccisano—Getty Images; Courtesy; Robyn Beck—AFP/Getty Images; Courtesy  by [Charlotte Hu](https://time.com/author/charlotte-hu/)  ## Charlotte Hu Associate Editor May 14, 2025 3:00 AM UTC Health is multifaceted, a fact that was reflected in the industry-spanning community gathered Tuesday night at the TIME100 Health Impact Dinner honoring some of the most influential people leading this fast-moving field. The latest annual [TIME100 Health list](https://time.com/collections/time100-health-2025/), which debuted in 2024, highlights scientists, doctors, advocates, educators, and other changemakers working to navigate [a year unlike any other in global health](https://time.com/7283194/how-we-chose-time100-health-2025/), punctuated by conflict and upheavals, while gazing into an uncertain future. TIME CEO Jessica Sibley kicked off dinner by announcing the launch of a new coverage initiative, [TIME Longevity](https://time.com/7285114/time-announces-time-longevity-a-new-editorial-platform-exploring-the-future-of-living-longer/), which aims to capture the people, institutions, and innovations redefining what it means to live longer and age healthier. TIME senior correspondent Alice Park then led a [panel discussion on the next era of cancer treatment and diagnosis](https://time.com/7284460/health-impact-dinner-panel-curing-cancer-evolving-disease-progress-challenges/). As the dinner wrapped up, four [TIME100 Health](https://time.com/collections/time100-health-2025/) honorees gave toasts about fighting to restore respect for science, making innovations in public health accessible to those who most need it, supporting the mental wellness of LGBTQ+ youths, and turning a personal near tragedy into nationwide impact. ## Ensuring scientific progress doesn’t stop [Bill Nye](https://time.com/collections/time100-health-2025/7279616/bill-nye/), advocate, science educator, and TV host, donned a signature bow tie as he took the stage. Over the past year in particular he’s been using his celebrity to bring awareness to the importance of supporting scientific research and to urge citizens to speak out to lawmakers about the disruptive reductions made by the Trump Administration at vital agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and NASA. But, “strangely enough, this would be the time you’d want to be born,” he says. “More people around the world are better off now than ever before in human history.” That is thanks to the body of knowledge accrued by science over the course of this history, through studies in evolution, genetics, and DNA. This arc of discovery led to recent medical breakthroughs that have unlocked the potential to free families from genetic ailments that have plagued them for generations. For Nye’s family, that includes a neurological disorder called Spino Cerebellar Ataxia. “We are living at this extraordinary time with genetic research, and this is of great interest to me and my family,” he says. “What a remarkable time in health care, where we are all able to understand these genes and do something about it,” he continues. “Meanwhile, funding is being cut. Support of health care or scientific research in health care is being cut. But this will not last. We are going to work together.” Harkening back to evolutionary biologists Darwin and Wallace who concluded that all living things share a common ancestor, Nye says: “My friends, all of us, we are more alike than we are different. … So let's work together and make the world better for everyone.” ## Finding remedies for malnutrition and its indignity [Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed](https://time.com/collections/time100-health-2025/7279651/tahmeed-ahmed/), executive director of ICDDR Bangladesh, spoke about how treating malnutrition improves human dignity for more than 200 million women and children worldwide. For the last 40 years, he’s been working to improve and simplify the treatment for malnutrition. Research has gradually revealed that malnutrition is not only caused by lack of food but also by intestine-damaging bacteria introduced through poor hygiene that can result in poor nutrient absorption. Based on these findings, Ahmed and Dr. Jeffrey Gordon from the Washington University at St. Louis developed a treatment that incorporates beneficial gut bugs that could be easily dispensed into food products by local producers. “We, today, know a lot more about what causes malnutrition … we also have a number of remedies,” he says. “The problem is, how do we take these remedies to the people who need it most, be it in Africa, be it in South Asia, be it in other parts of the world.” ## Promoting affirmation over fear [Ronita Nath](https://time.com/collections/time100-health-2025/7279627/ronita-nath/), vice president of research at the Trevor Project, first shined the spotlight on her fellow honorees in the room. “Your breakthroughs are redefining what’s possible in health and humanity, and it’s a privilege to stand alongside you this evening,” she says. Nath then toasted “every LGBTQ+ young person daring to live authentically in a world that too often misunderstands them” and shared her own experience raising a transgender child. “Watching him blossom has been a masterclass in what happens when affirmation outruns fear,” Nath says. “Our research at the Trevor Project shows that when even one adult—whether a parent, teacher, or doctor—affirms the identity of a transgender young person, their odds of attempting suicide drop by roughly 45%. In our house, that statistic has a face, a mischievous smile, and an ever‑expanding Lego collection.” She ended her toast commending the coalition of supportive parents, researchers, crisis counselors, who chose to be brave, dedicated, understanding, and empathetic. ## Changing a ‘heartbreaking reality’ [Damar Hamlin](https://time.com/collections/time100-health-2025/7279606/damar-hamlin/), NFL player and philanthropist, tells the crowd that “if you had told me just a couple of years ago that I’d be giving a toast at the TIME100 Health Impact Dinner … I probably would’ve told you you were crazy.” But life doesn’t always go as planned, he acknowledges. His sudden cardiac arrest on the field in 2023 and the journey that followed have made him realize that his mission is bigger than football. “The work I’ve done in the heart health space … it carries a much deeper weight,” he says. “Sudden cardiac arrest is still the leading cause of death in youth sports. That’s a heartbreaking reality—one that I now live with every day. And because of that, I’ve found my new life mission: to make sure every kid chasing their dreams can do it safely.” For the past two years, he’s been raising awareness about the importance of CPR and heart health education, pushing to make AEDs more accessible, and working with partners like HeartMates and the American Heart Association. “Before I close, I want to leave you with something that’s been on my heart: Fear has energy. It can hold you back—or it can push you forward. It’s not about avoiding fear, but facing it and choosing to grow through it. The biggest part of my comeback wasn’t physical—it was about belief. I knew I could do it,” Hamlin says. “So tonight, I raise this toast to the fighters, the dreamers, and the believers; to those who face fear, do the work, and show up with purpose. Here’s to all the impact that we make together.” _The TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of Health was presented by Novartis and FIGS._ ## Transcript Good evening. It's incredible. It's incredibly humbling to be here with you all tonight. Such powerful and influential people. Um, in the field of work that we all chose. If you had told me a couple of years ago that I'd be giving a toast at the time 100 Health Impact dinner, I probably would have told you you were crazy. No one wants to be known as their struggles they've been through. And if you had to ask me back then what my goals were, I never would have imagined. They revolve around heart health, CPR training, and AED access. But life doesn't always go as planned. And over the last two years, I've realized that my mission is bigger than football. The work I've done in the heart health space, it carries a much deeper weight. Sudden cardiac arrest is still the leading cause of death in youth sports. That's a heartbreaking reality, one that I now live with every day. And because of that, I found my new life mission to make sure every kid chasing their dream can do it safely to ensure that no child, no teammate, no family has to face what mine did. That is a part of my new purpose. I'm grateful to travel the world, raising awareness about the importance of CPR, making AEDs more accessible, and working alongside incredible partners like the Heart Mates and the American Heart Association. Nancy Brown I just want everybody to give a round of applause for Nancy Brown. Not only have you been a strong partner, but a true friend, and I've had the privilege of joining Doctor Galu, meeting so many people impacted by heart conditions, their dedication, both Doctor Galu and Nancy Brown. Their work inspires me every day. One of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been hearing the stories of people on their comeback journeys, those living with cardiovascular conditions who are fighting to reclaim and champion their lives through heart mates. I visited hospitals and had real emotional conversation with some people living their toughest moments. Moments that I can relate to deeply. I'll never forget meeting Olivia, a bright, high spirited 11 year old girl who had heart failure. I sat by her hospital bed and we made friendship bracelets. She made one just for me, and I've kept it with me ever since. That bracelet truly got me through this last off season, through my toughest moments of training. I was able to just remember those quick moments that I spent with her in the hospital room right before, you know, she went into surgery and she was just full of life, full of ambition, full of entrepreneurship. And, you know, it truly inspired me to get through the toughest moments of my training. And, you know, I was able to use that training to have the best year of my career so far. So, you know, I give all that credit to Olivia. Um, last year, Olivia received. So last year, Olivia received her heart transplant, and she sent me a video thanking me for inspiring her to keep going. But the truth is, she inspired me. Just like so many others have their courage, their strength, their will to live and fight. It reminds me every day to live with purpose and leave something behind that matters. Years ago, I would have said my mission was defined by what I did on the football field and what I did through my chasing EMS Foundation. But now I'm super grateful because I know what happened helped save so many lives. Today, through our CPR clinics, we've helped instill a kind of superpower in people teaching them how to save lives. Almost 18 million people, almost 18 million more Americans know how to perform CPR because of that movement. And as I look around the room, I'm truly honored. We may have arrived here through different paths, but we all share the same heartbeat. A commitment to improving lives and a passion for impacting the world. And before I close, I want to leave you with something that's been on my heart. Fear has energy. It can hold you back or it can push you forward. It's not about avoiding fear, but facing it and choosing to grow through it. The biggest part of my comeback, it wasn't physical. It was about belief. I knew I could do it, and I want every kid out there to know you can too. Believe in yourself. Put the work in. That's the real superpower. So tonight I need my red wine. But I raised this toast for all of us. To the fighters, the dreamers and the believers. To those who face fear, do the work and show up with purpose. Here's to all the impact that we make together. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/7284464/health-impact-dinner-toasts-bill-nye-tahmeed-ahmed-ronita-nath-damar-hamlin/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/7284464/health-impact-dinner-toasts-bill-nye-tahmeed-ahmed-ronita-nath-damar-hamlin/"},"headline":"TIME100 Health Honorees Toast to Progress, Affirmation Over Fear, and Changing a ‘Heartbreaking Reality’","datePublished":"2025-05-14T03:00:00.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:50:04.279Z","description":"Bill Nye, Tahmeed Ahmed, Ronita Nath, and Damar Hamlin spoke at the 2025 TIME100 Health Impact Dinner.","url":"https://time.com/7284464/health-impact-dinner-toasts-bill-nye-tahmeed-ahmed-ronita-nath-damar-hamlin/","keywords":["TIME100Health2025","sponsorshipblock"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc9263110644be615/6998c68ae2d64bb657c5f53f/time100-health-event-001.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Charlotte Hu","jobTitle":"Associate Editor","url":"https://time.com/author/charlotte-hu/"}],"articleSection":"Health","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc9263110644be615/6998c68ae2d64bb657c5f53f/time100-health-event-001.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"time100-health-event-001","caption":"Damar Hamlin, Ronita Nath, Bill Nye, Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed","creditText":"Michael Loccisano—Getty Images; Courtesy; Robyn Beck—AFP/Getty Images; Courtesy","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/health/","name":"Health"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time100health2025/","name":"TIME100Health2025"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/7284464/health-impact-dinner-toasts-bill-nye-tahmeed-ahmed-ronita-nath-damar-hamlin/","name":"TIME100 Health Honorees Toast to Progress, Affirmation Over Fear, and Changing a ‘Heartbreaking Reality’"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Watch Bill Nye's Toast at the TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of Health","description":"Bill Nye, advocate, science educator, and TV host, donned a signature bow tie as he took the stage. 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