Infectious IDeas

Join Marla Dalton, PE, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, for a thought-provoking discussion with Gregory A. Poland, MD, a distinguished physician-scientist and director of the Vaccine Research Group at Mayo Clinic. Poland shares his inspiring journey in vaccine research and his unique perspective as both a scientist and an ordained Presbyterian minister. Tune in as he discusses vaccine confidence, the future of vaccinology, and the deep-rooted connection between his theological beliefs and his scientific work.

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Poland is president of Atria Health Academy of Science and Medicine and editor-in-chief of the journal Vaccine. A public health provocateur who has been a voice for science throughout his career, he has served on numerous advisory committees involved in US vaccine policymaking and was a leader among those who successfully persuaded the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to recommend annual influenza vaccination for everyone age 6 months and older. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he gave thousands of media interviews and presentations, including sharing his own experience as a patient with COVID-19. In 2022, he was nominated for a Pulitzer for his weekly podcasts on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join hosts Marla Dalton, PE, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, for a compelling conversation with Ighovwerha (Igho) Ofotokun, MD, MSc, an internationally recognized clinician-scientist and professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. He shares his journey from growing up in Nigeria to becoming a leading HIV researcher, discussing the influences that shaped his career, challenges he faced, and his significant achievements in combating long-term impacts of HIV and promoting women’s health.

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Ofotokun is co-director of the Emory Center for AIDS Research Clinical Core. He has devoted his career to the care of women living with HIV/AIDS, conducting translational research in HIV/AIDS, and training the next generation of clinician scientists. His research findings have led to the revision of HIV treatment guidelines in the US and, internationally, to the World Health Organization policy changes that now prioritize regimens that are less risky for women. In recognition of his work to expand the visibility and representation of women and minorities in biomedical research and leverage his expertise and influence to promote research, education, and training in the US and abroad, NFID will honor him with the 2024 Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement in September 2024.

Join hosts Marla Dalton, PE, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, for an engaging conversation with Jeffery A. Goad, PharmD, MPH, professor of pharmacy practice and associate dean of academic affairs at Chapman University School of Pharmacy, and the first pharmacist to serve as president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). Goad shares his insights on the critical role pharmacies play in vaccination, his expertise in travel medicine, and his top priorities as NFID President.

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A nationally recognized expert on travel medicine and immunization across the lifespan, he co-founded the Pharmacist Professional Group at the International Society of Travel Medicine and is a past president of the California Immunization Coalition and the California Pharmacists Association. He is a frequent conference presenter and was recently honored as a fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Join hosts Marla Dalton, PE, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, for an engaging conversation with Seth F. Berkley, MD, a global health pioneer and champion of equitable access to vaccines. He shares insights from his notable career, including his impactful work in Uganda rebuilding the immunization program and developing the national AIDS control program, his work with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and his trailblazing leadership of COVAX, which helped deliver more than 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines globally to 146 countries.

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An infectious disease physician and epidemiologist, Berkley led Gavi for 12 years, raising more than $33 billion and substantially increasing coverage of routine immunization in lower-income countries. He previously founded the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative to develop an AIDS vaccine for developing countries and now serves as a senior advisor for the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health. Always up for an adventure, Berkley has been featured on the cover of Newsweek magazine, listed by Fortune as one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders, and has been recognized by TIME as one of the World’s Most Influential People. His TED talks have been viewed by more than 2.5 million. In recognition of his work to help protect the most vulnerable populations across the globe, NFID will honor him with the 2024 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award in September2024.

Join hosts Marla Dalton, PE, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, for an insightful conversation with Grace Lee, MD, MPH, an infectious disease physician and dynamic leader who helped guide US vaccine policy making during the turbulent times of the COVID-19 pandemic. She shares insights into the complexities and challenges encountered, as well as the importance of vaccine safety during the COVID-19 deliberations and concerns that keep her awake at night.

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Lee served as chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the COVIC-19 pandemic. She is chief quality officer at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health and professor of pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine. A nationally known vaccine expert, she is also a member of the National Academy of Medicine and continues to manage and treat young patients with infectious diseases. In recognition of her inclusive yet decisive leadership, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases will honor her with the 2024 John P. Utz Leadership Award in September 2024.

Join hosts Marla Dalton, PE, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, for a compelling discussion with patient advocate and public health champion Leana Wen, MD, MSc. Practicing physician and Washington Post columnist, Wen shares her remarkable journey, from her childhood as an immigrant to the US from China, to her experiences as Health Commissioner of Baltimore. Hear her thoughts on addressing health disparities, improving health outcomes, and the untold health stories that deserve more attention.

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An emergency physician, healthcare executive, adjunct associate professor at George Washington University, and nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, Wen received her medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine and studied health policy at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. A triathlete and mother of 2 young children, she has been named one of Modern Healthcare's Top 50 Physician-Executives and TIME's 100 Most Influential People.

Join hosts Marla Dalton, PE, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, for a compelling discussion with renowned infectious disease specialist and public health communicator, Céline Gounder, MD, ScM. Gounder shares her insights on the importance of trust in public health communication, the fight against misinformation, the future of infectious disease diagnostics, and her personal journey coping with her husband's tragic and untimely death.

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An internist and infectious disease specialist, Gounder is a CBS News medical contributor, a senior fellow at Kaiser Family Foundation(KFF), and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News. She is also a clinical associate professor of medicine and infectious diseases at New York University Grossman School of Medicine and cares for patients on the wards at Bellevue Hospital Center. Gounder is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and has been included on the lists of 50 Women Making the World a Better Place as well as25 Women Changing the World, for her contributions to public health and healthcare.

Join hosts Marla Dalton, PE, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, as they dive into a candid discussion with Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, of Resolve to Save Lives, exploring his journey from philosophy to medicine and a distinguished career in public health, with a focus on building resilient communities. From limiting trans-fat to banning smoking, he has spent his career working to build a healthier future for all, based on lessons from the past.

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Throughout his career, Frieden has been a strong advocate for pandemic preparedness, vaccine equity, and improving public health systems. As a global expert in tuberculosis, tobacco control, and health policy, he served as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 2009 to 2017, where he oversaw responses to the H1N1 influenza, Ebola, and Zika epidemics. Prior to leading CDC, he served as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health from 2002 to 2009. Born and raised in New York City, Frieden enjoys playing squash, reading non-fiction, and cooking. 

In this episode, hosts Marla Dalton, PE, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, talk with Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about her perspectives on rebuilding trust in public health agencies. She shares what first influenced her to study medicine, what she is most proud of to date at CDC as well as barriers going forward, and what most keeps her awake at night.

Show notes

An internist, public health official, and healthcare executive, Cohen took over as director of CDC in July 2023, after serving as health secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. She served as chief operating officer and chief of staff at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services during the Obama Administration and is a founding member and former executive director of Doctors for America. She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2021. Cohen is married to a healthcare regulatory attorney and has2 pre-teen daughters.

In this episode, hosts Marla Dalton, PE, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, talk with Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. He shares insights from his influential career in vaccine science and diplomacy, from how the field has changed over time, how his experience as the father of an autistic daughter helped shape his career, and what we can all be doing to counter anti-science rhetoric and help build vaccine confidence.

Show notes

An internationally recognized physician-scientist, Hotez is a professor at Baylor College of Medicine, co-director of the Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development, and Texas Children’s Hospital Endowed Chair of Tropical Pediatrics. For decades, he has led global efforts to develop new vaccines for neglected diseases around the world affecting hundreds of millions of people. In December of 2021, he led efforts at Texas Children’s to develop a low-cost COVID-19vaccine for global health, resulting in emergency use authorization in India. He is also an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and is the prolific author of more than 650 publications, including the newest book, “The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science: A Scientist's Warning.” He frequently testifies before Congress and appears as a guest for national media outlets, always sporting his distinctive bowtie.