Thanks to our generous industry partners, the IDSA Foundation supports lifesaving research, funds innovative programs and cultivates the next generation of diverse infectious diseases professionals. We’re proud to highlight Ferring Pharmaceuticals to showcase what they do best.

 

Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group committed to helping people around the world build families and live better lives.

 

Founded in 1950, privately owned Ferring now employs approximately 6,500 people worldwide, has its own operating subsidiaries in nearly 60 countries and markets its products in 110 countries. Ferring is committed to exploring the crucial link between the microbiome and human health, beginning with the threat of recurrent C. difficile infection. With the 2018 acquisition of Rebiotix and several other alliances, Ferring is a world leader in microbiome research, developing novel microbiome-based therapeutics to address significant unmet needs and help people live better lives.

 

Learn how to become an IDSA Foundation Industry Partner! Contact Diane LaVigna.

Funded in part by a grant through the IDSA Foundation Grants for Emerging Researchers/Clinicians Mentorship Program, first author, Manasa Bhatta, MD, published her recent study findings in the article, “Low Rates of Contraception Use in Women with HIV” (Open Forum Infectious Diseases, March 8, 2022).

 

Through the study, grant recipient Dr. Bhatta and her research colleagues discovered low rates of contraceptive use among women with HIV. She received the G.E.R.M grant while she was a medical student at Vanderbilt University and engaged in an immersion research course that included trainees.

 

We’re proud the G.E.R.M. award provided additional support for the study as well as increased awareness of IDSA and infectious diseases for Dr. Bhatta.

During Women’s History Month, we made time to recognize women pioneers in medical research. We continue to acknowledge women’s advances in infectious diseases, benefiting every day from their dedication. 

 

These champions were not deterred as they broke boundaries to become experts in the field. Their leadership and discoveries have improved the lives of millions. The Infectious Diseases Society of America Foundation continues to create pathways built on equity and diversity to recruit and support women in ID. 

The IDSA Foundation welcomes Allison Brouillette and Diane LaVigna to our staff. 

Allison Brouillette

Allison joins the Foundation as director of philanthropy. She brings 15 years of fundraising experience to this role, having served in a variety of fundraising leadership positions at academic medical institutions, community hospitals and national nonprofit organizations.

 

Most recently, Allison led the philanthropy program for the National Cancer Institute-recognized Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest Baptist Health in North Carolina. There, she raised millions of dollars to benefit education, research and patient aid. Prior to that, she held the position of major gift officer at Rhode Island Hospital. Allison earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.

Diane LaVigna, CFRE

Diane has been named the Foundation’s director of industry relations. She brings 25 years of fundraising and nonprofit-management expertise to IDSA, including from her recent position as chief development officer for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

 

Her nonprofit career has spanned six organizations in New York, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Diane has remained a certified fundraising executive since 2005. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University.

Calling all ID practitioners! Do you have ideas for increasing the size and diversity of the ID workforce? We need your suggestions and feedback as we expand programs to support medical students and mentors in the field.

 

Please help us by taking this short survey. In less than 10 minutes, you can make an impact.

 

We encourage you to share this link with other experts in the field. Thanks in advance!

The mission of the IDSA Foundation is to facilitate growth and development of the ID workforce to meet emerging scientific, clinical and leadership needs. We are grateful to support the outstanding group of IDSA members who are part of our Mentorship Committee. These individuals have extensive experience in mentoring the next generation of ID practitioners. The IDSA Foundation Mentorship Committee helps us plan the mentorship program during IDWeek, and provides expertise for our growing initiatives. 

 

To volunteer strategic input on mentoring the next generation of ID medical students and residents, please consider joining our committee for a 2-year term. The application form and requirements can be found here.

Thanks to sponsorship by AbbVie, the IDSA Foundation is hosting two webinars to recognize HCV Awareness Month in May. These webinars will focus on new models of care and addressing marginalized populations who are infected with HCV.

 

Registration will open soon on the IDSA Foundation website.

The IDSA Foundation was proud to sponsor, support and participate in the Latino Medical Student Association conference, LMSA 2022, March 2-6, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We met many rising star Latino medical students! This was the 17th annual national conference and the 49th annual northeast regional conference.

 

We were on the scene again at the National Hispanic Medical Association-NHMA conference, March 24-27, in Crystal City, Virginia, as proud sponsors and participants. This year’s theme was “Addressing Social Determinants and Well-Being.”

Upcoming Events

The IDSA Foundation is excited to announce our participation in the SHEA Spring Conference, April 12-14, 2022, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Topics will include health care epidemiology, antibiotic stewardship, long-term care, research methods, clinical microbiology, patient safety and quality, implementation science and COVID-19. 

 

Visit Stephen Peeler, our executive director, while you’re at SHEA Spring. Learn about our new and expanding programs. Stephen is excited to network with you and other field experts. Hope to see you there!

IDWeek 2022 will be held Oct. 19-23 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

 

If you are a health care professional in ID, research, epidemiology and prevention, this is a can’t-miss opportunity. IDWeek is for professionals who want to stay current and apply innovative science to clinical care and research. Pull out your business cards, dust off your networking skills and plan to attend this in-person conference!

 

For more information, visit IDWeek.

The IDSA Foundation’s industry partners provide critical financial support to advance the future of ID medicine. We welcome new supporters with great enthusiasm to help us expand ID for the next generation of ID practitioners. Click below to learn how to become an IDSAF Industry Partner. Or contact Diane LaVigna, director of industry relations, at [email protected].