IDSA President Barbara Alexander, MD, FIDSA sits down with IDSA/HIVMA member and CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, FIDSA to talk about what it has been like to take over the helm of the nation’s top public health agency in the midst of a global pandemic and how her career in infectious diseases helped prepare her for this moment. The two also discuss Dr. Walensky’s priorities beyond the pandemic, her thoughts on the ID workforce and how IDSA, HIVMA and CDC might work together on common goals.

In this episode, produced in partnership with the American Geriatrics Society, we discuss issues surrounding vaccinating vulnerable populations with IDSA member Dr. Joshua Barocas and American Geriatrics Society members, Drs. Timothy Farrell and Melissa Dattalo.

On April 13, 2021, the FDA and CDC recommended a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine after cases of a rare form of blood clotting were reported. In this episode, produced in partnership with the American Society of Hematology, we explore the topic of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia with hematologists Dr. Jean Connors of Harvard Medical School and Dr. Lisa Baumann Kreuziger of the Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin.

What have we learned from COVID-19 and how we can be better prepared for future pandemics? IDSA Treasurer Dr. Helen Boucher of Tufts Medical Center, Dr. Angelica Kottkamp of New York University and Dr. Dial Hewlett of the Westchester Department of Health discuss key takeaways. 

What are the most important considerations for full-time in-person learning? When can we expect to see widespread vaccination initiatives for children under the age of 16? Preeti Malani, MD, FIDSA and Tina Tan, MD, FIDSA discuss updates and challenges with in-person learning.

With the accelerated distribution of vaccines, does COVID-19 testing still matter? How reliable are the new, home test kits? IDSA members Mary Hayden, MD, FIDSA of Rush Medical College and Romney Humphries, MD of Vanderbilt University Medical Center share updated considerations for COVID-19 diagnostic testing.

What drug therapies are producing the best outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19? What are the differences in treating patients suffering from severe COVID in the ICU setting versus those receiving non-critical treatment? Dr. Adarsh Bhimraj of the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Laura Evans, Director of Critical Care at the University of Washington Medical Center, join us to discuss treating hospitalized patients with COVID-19, including the challenges clinicians are facing. This episode is produced in partnership with the Society of Critical Care Medicine. 

What strategies have been the most successful in boosting vaccine distribution and administration, and what key hurdles remain? When can low-risk populations expect to receive the vaccine? Dr. Saad Omer of Yale University and Dr. Matthew Zahn of Orange County Health Care Agency discuss the latest challenges, milestones and issues surrounding COVID-19 vaccine distribution. 

How can ID physicians advocate for improved physician value and compensation? In this episode, IDSA President Barbara Alexander, MD, FIDSA is joined by IDSA President-Elect Daniel McQuillen, MD, FIDSA of Lahey Hospital & Medical Center and Steven Schmitt, MD, FIDSA of the Cleveland Clinic to discuss increasing awareness, public support and compensation for ID professionals.

Should expectant mothers get the COVID-19 vaccine? What do we know about the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine in people with HIV? In this episode, we discuss the COVID-19 vaccine and its possible effect on special populations, such as people living with HIV, pregnant people, and the transplant community with Dr. Rachel Bender Ignacio of the University of Washington, Dr. Denise Jamieson of Emory University and Dr. Aruna Subramanian of Stanford University. This episode is produced in partnership with the American Society of Transplantation and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.