Let's Talk ID

Host Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, and guest Rebeca Plank, MD, MPH, return for another Let’s Talk ID draft, this time, sharing infectious diseases “love/hates.” They discuss the tools, tests and clinical strategies that inspire both enthusiasm and hesitation in everyday ID practice, and what these mixed feelings reveal about how the field continues to evolve.

Host Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS, is joined by pediatric infectious diseases fellows to explore what it takes to be an effective vaccine advocate, from patient conversations to policymaking. They discuss the importance of clear communication, building trust, and advancing policies that protect equitable access to vaccines.

Become an advocate: www.idsociety.org/MAP
ID/HIV Advocate Learning Series: https://academy.idsociety.org/content/become-idhiv-advocate-learning-series

Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, sits down with Patrick Passarelli, MD, a med-peds ID physician at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and ID editor for theMednet, to explore how clinicians can get expert guidance beyond AI. They dive into the origins of theMednet, what makes a great clinical question, and how this growing community of medical experts is shaping practice.

In a special encore presentation in honor of Black History Month, Let’s Talk ID host and IDSA Board member Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, speaks with HIVMA Chair Allison Agwu, MD, ScM, FIDSA, HIVMA Immediate Past Chair Michelle Cespedes, MD, MS, and Darrell McBride, DO, about their experiences as Black infectious diseases physicians.

Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, sits down with infectious disease and critical care physician, Matthew Brigmon, MD, of the University of Texas at San Antonio, to explore his unique path as a double-boarded physician. They discuss the challenges and rewards of combining the two specialties and share guidance for trainees interested in forging a career in ID Critical Care.

Host Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, and former CDC director Demetre Daskalakis MD, MPH, explore the current state of public health. They discuss how political pressures and weakened infrastructure have left the system vulnerable, and how this moment could spark a public health “renaissance."

Let's Talk ID hosts, Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS, Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA and Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA reunite live at IDWeek 2025 to share their hottest takes on infectious diseases and public health. They discuss the controversial dismantling of CDC, exciting breakthroughs in treating staph aureus bacteremia, and shifts that could shape the future of the field.

Ana Velez, MD, FACP, joins Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, to share how her passion for art fuels her work in infectious diseases, from teaching through medical illustrations to using her art to give back to the ID community. Dr. Velez reveals the inspirations behind her work and how creativity brings new meaning to medicine. She also discusses her latest series of paintings that she is donating to the IDSA Foundation's Art Auction.

Bid now to own one of Dr. Velez's paintings: https://givebutter.com/c/pclXSb/auction

Anna Person, MD, FIDSA, discusses the role of street medicine in improving access to HIV services and opportunities to support SM programs under Medicaid with Nathan Nolan, MD, MPH, MPHE, Founder of Street Medicine STL and Chris Menschner, Director, Complex Care Programs at the Center for Health Care Strategies.

Bruce Gellin, MD, MPH, FIDSA, ID physician and senior advisor at the Georgetown University Global Health Institute, joins Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS, to discuss the Vaccine Integrity Project and the importance of ensuring vaccine policy remains grounded in evidence. The two explore strategies for countering misinformation, building public trust, and empowering health care professionals to engage in constructive conversations about immunization.