Advancing Black medical professionals to improve health equity
Officially recognized by the U.S. government in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, Black History Month serves as a time to acknowledge and celebrate the essential achievements of Black Americans across all time periods in the U.S. The concept of dedicating time to educate the public about the often-forgotten accomplishments of Black Americans was first introduced…
More than $1.7 Million in IDSA Foundation Grant Funds Attracts Diverse Minds to Alzheimer’s Research
The Infectious Diseases Society of America Foundation recently awarded more than $1.7 million in grant funds to advance novel research into possible links between infectious diseases and the causation of Alzheimer’s disease. The grant funds, which were awarded through the Foundation’s Microbial Pathogenesis in Alzheimer’s Disease Grant program, were dispersed among 11 researchers representing a wide range of research fields and institutions across the U.S. “We’re excited that this grant program has…
2022 G.E.R.M. Program provides research funding for medical students interested in ID or HIV careers
In 2019, nearly 80% of U.S. counties had no infectious diseases specialists, leaving too many jurisdictions ill-prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. The field of HIV medicine faces similar challenges. In 2019, more than 1.2 million people were living with HIV in the U.S., with the need for HIV care outpacing the number of new clinicians entering the field. As the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated,…
Helen Boucher, MD, FACP, FIDSA: A Woman of ID
If you’ve ever wondered whether a career in infectious diseases can involve stimulating lab work, a job at a major pharmaceutical company, your own clinical practice and a leadership position at an internationally respected medical center, all while balancing family and pursing your passion, ask Helen Boucher, MD, FACP, FIDSA. Dr. Boucher’s work has taken her…
C. diff Talk: Addressing the burdens of C. diff through research, advocacy and hope
When Kathy Bischoff retired, she had plans to live out her dreams to travel and settle down in the Ozark Mountains. That dream quickly turned into a nightmare when she experienced her first diagnosis of Clostridioides difficile. Despite affecting nearly 500,000 Americans each year, very few patients hear of C. diff before their diagnosis. Bischoff herself faced seven reoccurrences of this life-threatening disease within two-and-a-half years. Now, she is a volunteer for the C Diff Foundation and shares her story to…
Anne Gershon, MD, FIDSA: A Woman of ID
Sometimes you choose your career path, and other times your career path chooses you. That statement is certainly true for Anne Gershon, MD, FIDSA, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Heavily influenced by fate, Dr. Gershon landed in pediatrics, infectious diseases and vaccinology, and the impact of her work with the varicella-zoster virus (commonly known as chickenpox) has been felt on…
ID workforce shortage: Why it’s crucial to support tomorrow’s ID leaders – today
Infectious diseases claim the lives of 17 million people around the world every year, and that number has risen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the average U.S. life expectancy dropped by a year and a half compared to 2019 – the largest decline since World War II. This decrease was even greater among historically marginalized populations. The events…
COVID-19 stories from the front lines: Vaccine and therapeutics development for diseases with pandemic potential
According to Christopher da Costa, MD, PhD, FIDSA, there is very little in medicine that’s quite as exciting as infectious diseases. The unpredictability of an outbreak of a highly contagious infectious disease that could emerge without warning is fascinating – and the COVID-19 pandemic has been no exception. With more than 20 years of clinical practice experience and over 15 years of experience working predominantly in vaccine and infectious diseases therapeutics clinical development for…
COVID-19 stories from the front lines: The grueling pace of public health in a pandemic
COVID-19 first arrived on U.S. shores in January 2020 with the return of a Snohomish County, Washington, man who had traveled to Wuhan, China, and unwittingly brought back the deadly souvenir. Within weeks, the Seattle region had become the epicenter of the first COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S., and Jeffrey Duchin, MD, FIDSA, had the…
IDSA Foundation Honors Hispanic Heritage Month with Dedication of Hispanics in ID Executive Conference Room
The Infectious Diseases Society of America Foundation recently announced the dedication of its new Hispanics in ID Executive Conference Room at its offices in Arlington, Virginia. The dedication will serve to celebrate and recognize the achievements of current and former Hispanic trailblazers while raising critical funds to support the next generation of Hispanics in the…
COVID-19 stories from the front lines: Shining a light on health equity and mental health
In April 2020, Virginia Banks, MD, MBA, FIDSA, was giving a talk on COVID-19 to the National Association of Black Journalists chapter in Cleveland, Ohio, when a question stopped her in her tracks: “Are you aware of the disparities in COVID-19 cases among African American and Latino populations?” they asked. An infectious diseases specialist in Youngstown, Ohio,…
IDea Incubator Sponsor Spotlight: How BLUE KNIGHT™ Supports This Relationship-based Take on Health Equity
The IDSA Foundation in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS (‘JLABS’) awarded $17,500 to this year’s three IDea Incubator finalists. As in previous years, finalists presented their ideas to the ID community, received feedback from industry peers and won funding to help advance their stand-out innovations. New to the Foundation’s IDea Incubator competition this year – thanks to the Foundation’s collaboration with JLABS –…
COVID-19 stories from the front lines: Lessons learned from HIV and a diagnosis of COVID-19
The first role infectious diseases specialist Michael Saag, MD, FIDSA, played in the COVID-19 pandemic was that of a patient. He had just arrived home in Alabama after a 20-hour car ride from New York City with his son, Harry, on March 12, 2020, when Harry spiked a fever. Within days, Dr. Saag also developed symptoms, and he and Harry both tested positive…
Upinder Singh, MD, FIDSA: A Woman of ID
Upinder Singh, MD, FIDSA, lived on three different continents by the age of 13, soaking in the varying social fabrics and priorities of each culture. As she got older, she realized her unique background could bring a new perspective to global health, and the broad impact she felt she could make by pairing that experience…
Molecular Imaging of Bacterial Infections Awarded Grand Prize at 2021 IDea Incubator Competition to Support Innovation for Improving Infectious Diseases Care
Three finalists presented their potential innovations during IDWeek 2021 Arlington, VA – Sept. 29, 2021 – The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Foundation, in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS (‘JLABS’), recently awarded more than $17,000 in funding through the 2021 IDea Incubator competition to three finalists for their promising innovations aimed at advancing the field of infectious diseases. Sanjay Jain, MD, Filipa Mota, PhD, and Alvaro Ordonez, MD, of Johns Hopkins University took home the top grant of $10,000 for their innovation Molecular Imaging of Bacterial Infections. The…
Celebrate ‘The Rise of the ID Hero’: New annual report underscores critical role of ID specialists
The COVID-19 pandemic may have put a spotlight on the pervasiveness of infectious diseases, but it also brought into sharp focus the resilience of ID specialists and the critical role they play in reducing the burdens of diseases that affect us all. As we celebrate the IDSA Foundation’s 20th anniversary this year, we celebrate not…
A Message from Executive Director Stephen Peeler, CFRE: Thank you for helping us reach our Summer Match!
The IDSA Foundation’s Summer of Science campaign has come to a close, and I’d like to thank each of you for your unwavering support. In 2020, we raised nearly $20,000 toward our match. This year, we wanted to double that number, and thanks to your support, we exceeded our goal! Together we raised $50,000 to support life-saving research, fund the ID…
Liise-anne Pirofski, MD, FACP, FIDSA: A Woman of ID
From studying art history to tackling antibody immunity, the path Liise-anne Pirofski, MD, FACP, FIDSA, took to get where she is today in the field of infectious diseases is anything but typical. However, one thing has remained constant throughout her career: her drive to make the world a better place and help others. As chief of…
Vaccines 101: Celebrating Science’s Greatest Superpower
With diseases like polio and measles declared eliminated in the U.S. and smallpox eradicated worldwide, it’s hard to believe there was a time when these infections could be easily acquired. Many infections that once caused widespread illness and death are now simply anecdotes of the past, and at the heart of many of these successes are highly effective vaccines. August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, there has never…
Mentor and mentee reflect on importance of relationships within the ID community
No matter the stage in a person’s career, one thing remains clear: mentorship can be a critical segue into the field of infectious diseases. That’s why we feel it’s important to pair experienced ID professionals with trainees who are interested in the field of ID through our IDWeek Mentorship Program, which helps foster meaningful relationships for both mentees and mentors. Mentees benefit by gleaning important insights from leaders in the field, while…
Reaching Underserved Populations through the HIVMA/IDSA Foundation Clinical Fellowship Program
More than 38 million people worldwide were living with HIV in 2019. That same year, the patient demand for HIV care outpaced the number of new specialists entering the field. The need for HIV-trained physicians continues to increase to meet this demand. With advancements in antiretroviral treatments, individuals living with HIV now have a longer…
OASIS: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance
Do you have an idea that has the potential to improve the field of infectious diseases and patient care? Now is your chance to apply for the 2021 IDea Incubator competition in collaboration with Johnson and Johnson Innovation – JLABS (‘JLABS’) for the opportunity to pitch your idea to the ID community and potentially win…
IDea Incubator Sponsor Spotlight: How BLUE KNIGHT ™ Helps Early-Stage Ventures Grow
The IDSA Foundation’s 2021 IDea Incubator in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS (‘JLABS’) offers more than just funding for big ideas in the field of infectious diseases. It provides a platform for sharing your innovation with the ID community and receiving valuable feedback from industry professionals. This year, there’s even more opportunity!…
Grant Opportunity Opens Doors for Unexplored Areas in Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 47 million people worldwide. The effects can be life-changing for both the people who are living with the disease and their loved ones. Although research interest in detecting and treating Alzheimer’s disease has increased, the origins of this complex disease remain a mystery. Intriguing evidence suggests that Alzheimer’s disease may have a link…
Antibiotic allergies in your practice? There’s an app for that.
With less than two weeks left to apply to the 2021 IDea Incubator competition, now is the time to prepare your pitch and submit your application. For the second year in a row, the IDSA Foundation is collaborating with Johnson and Johnson Innovation – JLABS (‘JLABS’) to host the virtual pitch-style competition with the aim to find innovative potential solutions in infectious diseases care. From funding to help advance your idea to receiving advice from experienced industry professionals,…
Introducing BLUE KNIGHT™: IDea Incubator’s Newest Opportunity
There’s only two weeks left to apply for the IDSA Foundation’s 2021 IDea Incubator in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS (‘JLABS’). The IDea Incubator and JLABS are both focused on encouraging big thinkers to find innovative potential solutions for improving global health through science and technology. This year, there’s an exciting new opportunity! Up to three IDea Incubator applicants have the chance to…
ID Across Generations: A Father & Son’s Perspective
The field of infectious diseases is continually evolving, and our ability to research and treat existing bugs, combat antimicrobial resistance and respond to global pandemics all comes down to dedicated ID and HIV professionals. These researchers and clinicians act as detectives, collaborating across all areas of medicine to investigate emerging diseases and find innovative solutions to deliver the best patient care. This commitment is evidenced by ID specialists like IDSA Foundation supporter Steven Schnittman, MD, and…
Adaora Adimora, MD, MPH, FIDSA: A Woman of ID
An experienced clinician and accomplished researcher, Adaora Adimora, MD, MPH, FIDSA, has spent her career studying the epidemiology of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in historically marginalized populations across the country. Her work is key to addressing racial disparities in health care, and the IDSA Foundation is proud to honor Dr. Adimora as a 2021 Women of ID honoree. Former HIVMA Board chair, recipient of the 2020 HIVMA Clinical Educator Award and featured speaker for the Edward H. Kass Lectureship during IDWeek, Dr. Adimora serves as an educator and mentor…
ID specialists or PCPs: Who should manage HIV primary care?
When antiretroviral therapy first arrived in the mid–1990s, people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) required highly specialized care that demanded an awareness of the latest treatment agents, common drug-drug interactions and other HIV-associated complications and infections. This complex care was best handled by infectious diseases specialists, who had the specialty training and knowledge needed to give each patient the best chance at survival. Today, a typical…
The new reality of PPE training: How VR can improve the field of ID
Innovation is crucial to helping us solve some of the biggest issues in the field of infectious diseases. That’s why Javeed Siddiqui, MD, MPH, co-founder and chief medical officer of TeleMed2U and long-time supporter of the IDSA Foundation, created the IDea Incubator. The pitch-style competition brings together innovators across all fields and provides an opportunity for them to share their…
Cynthia Sears, MD, FIDSA: A Woman of ID
From a refugee camp in Thailand to a laboratory at Johns Hopkins University, Cynthia Sears, MD, FIDSA, is an infectious disease expert dedicated to innovative research, compassionate care and health equity. In recognition of her impactful career, the IDSA Foundation is proud to honor Dr. Sears as a 2021 Women of ID honoree. As a…
Serving the Underserved – Faces of ID: Teena Chopra, M.D., MPH
Do you think serving underserved and underrepresented populations is one of the most important issues facing our country? Us too. And this doctor is doing just that. This is an IDSA member who shares her time, talent and treasure with the IDSA Foundation. But that isn’t (exactly) what makes her special. What makes her special will be obvious…
Honoring a Trailblazer in Infectious Diseases: John G. Bartlett, M.D., FIDSA
The IDSA Foundation is sad to share the news of Dr. John Bartlett’s passing earlier this week. A trailblazer in Infectious Diseases, Dr. Bartlett contributed to so many key discoveries and mentored countless students, fellows and attending physicians. Mention the name John Bartlett, M.D. to the legions of doctors he mentored during his long and…
Member Spotlight: David M. Aronoff, M.D., FIDSA, FAAM
David M. Aronoff, M.D., FIDSA, FAAM is a physician-scientist with a primary focus on maternal-child health and infections that complicate pregnancy. He has been highly involved in the diagnosis and clinical care of COVID-19 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. As immediate past chair of the IDSA Foundation’s Mentorship Program Committee, Dr. Aronoff is a champion…
Investing in Innovation – IDea Incubator and Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS
The IDSA Foundation recently announced a new collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS to host the 2020 Virtual IDea Incubator, a pitch-style competition taking place on Tuesday, October 20th, 5 – 6PM ET. Originally launched in 2018 by Javeed Siddiqui, MD, M.P.H., co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of TeleMed2U, the IDea Incubator was…
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: SPOTLIGHT on Lilian Abbo, M.D., FIDSA
Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States. The IDSA Foundation is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our Latinx members, and recently had the privilege of speaking with Lilian Abbo, M.D., FIDSA to learn more about her work and the importance of building a diverse infectious diseases (ID) workforce. Originally from Caracas,…
2020 Virtual IDea Incubator – Registration Now Open!
Register to attend the very 1st LIVE Virtual IDea Incubator in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 5 – 6 p.m. ET. Registration is FREE to all IDWeek registrants. Four finalists will present their innovations in front of a live virtual audience and judges, competing for a chance to…
IDea Incubator: Where are they now
Sai Dodda, BS and Chris Sleckman, MS, both of HIVE, a student-run biotech startup at Washington University in St. Louis were the 1st place winners of the 2019 IDea Incubator competition. The 2019 winning innovation was a sensor that detects when and how long IV medication is connected to a patient’s peripherally inserted central catheter…
Informational Webinar: Microbial Pathogenesis in Alzheimer’s Disease Research Grant
An informational webinar for the Microbial Pathogenesis in Alzheimer’s Research Grant will be released on June 26th providing applicants further insight on the research grant and application process. Due to conflicting speaker schedules the webinar will now be pre-recorded. Because of this change, we will be extending the application deadline to July 12th. To submit your questions to…
Supporting Solutions to some of the Biggest Problems in ID
Do you have an idea in Infectious Diseases? Audrey R. Odom John, MD, PhD, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital Pittsburgh is the winner of the the inaugural IDea Incubator for her “Malaria Breathalyzer” diagnostic tool. The prize money enabled her team to build a prototype to bridge the gap and secure $500,000 in…
Role of the Herpesvirus dUTPase Proteins in Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease (LOAD)
Maria Eugenia Ariza, PhD, an Assistant Professor of the Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics at Ohio State University is one of the five awarded researchers of the 2019 Microbial Pathogenesis in Alzheimer’s Disease Grant. Dr. Ariza’s research hopes to demonstrate the engagement of dUTPase proteins with TLR2 is essential for inducing neuroimmune dysfunction and…
Lucy Tompkins, MD, PhD: A Woman of ID
The Infectious Diseases field is fortunate to have women that so many call mentors, leaders, pioneers and mavericks and the IDSA Foundation is honored to celebrate these unstoppable change makers. This month we are thrilled to feature our second 2020 Woman of ID, Lucy Tompkins, MD, PhD. Dr. Tompkins leadership and determination has helped set the…
Thank You for Helping Unmask ID Heroes
The IDSA Foundation and IDSA want to THANK YOU! On #GivingTuesdayNow you helped us unmask the heroes on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and recognize the impact of our members. Whether you shared your story, uplifted a colleague or made a donation you helped to amplify the power and bravery of the ID…
Covid-19: the Unique Role of Pediatric Infectious Disease Physicians
ID Heroes across the country were asked to share their perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic. Ahlesha Kaushik, MD, FAAP, shares her reality as a Pediatric Infectious Diseases physician and member of IDSA and PIDS below. From being selfless clinicians to fight COVID-19, being the forerunners for infection control working in conjunction with hospital administration,…
The “Toilet Paper” Reality
ID Heroes across the country were asked to share their perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Stephen M. Brecher of VA Boston HealthCare Center shares his in an essay titled The “Toilet Paper” Reality. The first real reported shortage in the early days of COVID was toilet paper. In reality, the toilet paper shortage is…
Join Us on #GivingTuesdayNow
On May 5th the IDSA Foundation will launch a #GivingTuesdayNOW campaign. What is #GivingTuesdayNOW? #GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. This campaign will amplify stories from the front-lines of the COVID-19 crisis and…
A Career Path Change into HIV Care
The HIVMA Clinical Fellowship Program funded by the IDSA Foundation, provides non-ID trained physicians with the most updated best practices for treating patients living with HIV/AIDS. Each year the program provides grants to fellows at institutions that predominantly serve communities of color. Funds are used to support a year of dedicated HIV clinical training for…
Meet IDSA Foundation’s New Development Manager
We are thrilled to be bringing on our newest member of the IDSA Foundation team, Catherine Lampi as our Development Manager. Catherine comes to us from the National Organization for Women where she worked as a Development Manager responsible for managing the organizations development program including major gifts, planned giving, advocacy campaigns and community and…
Mimi Glode, MD: A Woman of ID
An incredible number of nominations were submitted in honor and recognition of a woman in the field of infectious diseases who has created a path forward for ID research, mentorship, and advocacy. Last year, we honored four incredible women, but this year, the IDSA Foundation will highlight the work and inspiration of six Women of…
IDEA Incubator 2020 Now Open
Do you have an original idea to improve ID care? Does this idea include an original invention, product, device or innovative concept for improving ID care? Consider submitting your original idea to the IDSA Foundation’s IDEA Incubator 2020 for a chance to win funding! Three finalists will present their innovations in front of a live…
An Update on Promising Alzheimer’s Research: Allison Aiello, PhD
Allison Aiello, PhD, a Professor of Epidemiology and current Carolina Population Center Fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was one of the two, 2018 inaugural grant awardees of the Alzheimer’s Research Grant receiving $50,000 in research funding. Dr. Aiello’s proposed research showed thought-provoking approaches to discover a possible linkage between infectious…
Congratulations to the 2019 ALZ Grant Awardees
Intriguing evidence suggests Alzheimer’s disease may have a link to infectious disease or a microbial mechanism. Could this be the missing link to lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s disease? To advance research that could shed light and provide hope to the more than 5.7 Americans and 47 million people worldwide living with the disease,…
Meet the IDSA Foundation’s New Program Manager
We are excited to introduce the newest member of the IDSA Foundation team – Evelyn Morales! Evelyn will be serving as the Foundation’s Program Manager and is here to help us grow and manage our already exciting programs. Before you meet or work with Evelyn through an IDSA Foundation program, get to know her through…
IS INFECTION THE MISSING LINK FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?
IDSA Foundation Offers $500,000 in Research Grants to Study Possible Connection Between Infectious Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease.
The Power of Women of ID
Today, on International Women’s Day, we recognize every woman of ID who is creating a path forward.
Congratulations to the ALZ Grant Awardees
The IDSA Foundation embarked on an innovative partnership with the Alzheimer’s Germ Quest, Inc. (AGQ) to provide two $50,000 research grants. We are thrilled to announce the two awardees after receiving thought-provoking applications from several ID specialists. Both will conduct projects to discover the possible linkage between infectious diseases and Alzheimer’s disease. This research has…
A New Combined Program for Medical Students: G.E.R.M.
The IDSA Foundation and HIV Medicine Association are pleased to announce the launch of its newest grant program designed to help increase the pipeline of physicians entering the fields of ID and HIV medicine. G.E.R.M.: Grants for Emerging Researcher/Clinician Mentorship Program will provide medical students with the opportunity to apply for grant support to help…
Reimagining Respiratory Protection QuickFire Challenge by Johnson & Johnson
Respirators have a long history led by some of the world’s greatest innovators, dating back to Pliny the Elder in the first century A.D. with major strides by Leonard da Vinci in the 16thCentury according to the Cambridge Mask Company. They are an important component of personal protective equipment every day in healthcare settings, and can be…
IDSA Foundation & Outcome Health Announce Partnership
Organizations Collaborate to Raise Awareness for Flu Vaccination CHICAGO – November 26, 2018 – Outcome Health, a healthcare innovation company focused on evolving the point-of-care experience, today announced a partnership with the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Foundation. The Foundation is the charitable arm of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. IDSA represents a community…
New FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Alzheimer’s Disease and its potential connection to ID.
The IDSA Foundation is excited to announce the availability of grant funding for investigators interested in research explicitly directed toward whether an infectious agent or microbial mechanism is responsible for triggering or driving Alzheimer’s Disease. These awards will provide seed funding to encourage innovative projects that will lead investigators to initiate promising new directions in…
Bill Gates Says The U.S. Is Not Prepared For A Pandemic
In the last century the world has seen a boom in just about every facet of our daily lives. From technology to medicine, our world is bigger yet smaller. One hundred years ago, we did not have the freedom to travel from one country to another in a matter of a half-day. One hundred years…
Advocacy Leading to Strong Funding for ID/HIV
Your voice makes a difference! As we turn our attention to FY2019 funding, IDSA and HIVMA will continue to work and report from the front lines of policy and funding. Just as in 2018, Members of Congress need to hear from their constituents about the importance of ID and HIV priorities. Forceful IDSA and HIVMA…
Special Message from IDSA Foundation’s Leadership
To all IDSA Friends, This is truly an exciting and transformational time for the IDSA Foundation. As we look back at our many accomplishments during the past year, the IDSA Foundation is proud to have played a part in helping to introduce, engage and excite thousands of potentially new ID leaders to explore careers in…