
Let's Talk ID
Let's Talk ID is a podcast by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, featuring discussions with experts on a range of topics related to infectious diseases including antimicrobial resistance, ID diagnostics and outbreaks such as COVID-19, Ebola and measles. Episodes on IDSA’s guidelines are also available.*The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Latest episodes

Sep 14, 2023 • 15min
President’s Podcast: IDSA Volunteer Restructure
“We want individuals that are practicing in the ID field to feel that IDSA is their home, that they have the support of IDSA in their endeavors.” In September 2023, IDSA introduced a new volunteer structure to better engage members and support its strategic initiatives. In this episode, IDSA President Carlos del Rio, MD, FIDSA and Vice President Tina Tan, MD, FIDSA discuss the decision behind the restructure and explain the differences moving forward.

Sep 9, 2023 • 15min
Pursuing an ID career in industry-sponsored research
From academia to industry: “It’s not a one-way valve.” In this episode with host Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, infectious diseases physician Steven LaRosa, MD shares his journey to industry-sponsored research and its value as an ID career path.

Sep 5, 2023 • 24min
President’s Podcast: Preparing for the upcoming respiratory virus season
IDSA President Carlos del Rio, MD, FIDSA discusses what we can expect for the upcoming respiratory virus season with Meghan Pennini, PhD, the Chief Vaccines and Therapeutics Officer for H-CORE (the HHS Coordination Operations and Response Element) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at HHS.

Aug 26, 2023 • 39min
We work hard for the money pt.1: thinking creatively about ID reimbursement
Only 50% of infectious diseases fellowship positions are filled each year, a growing issue that can be attributed to the financial impact of working in a non-procedural specialty. In the first episode of a two-part series on addressing ID compensation, Let's Talk ID host Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS dives into the complex issue of health care finance. In episode one, Dr. Creech explores ways that infectious diseases physicians can showcase their value and increase their compensation with health policy experts Gabe Roberts, former Director of TennCare, and Nancy-Ann DeParle, former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Aug 26, 2023 • 33min
We work hard for the money pt.2: how IDSA is addressing ID compensation
Only 50% of infectious diseases fellowship positions are filled each year, a growing issue that can be attributed to the financial impact of working in a non-procedural specialty. In episode two of a two-part series on addressing ID compensation, host Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS speaks with IDSA Immediate Past President Daniel McQuillen, MD, FIDSA to discuss what IDSA has been doing over the last three decades to address these fundamental issues.

Aug 8, 2023 • 27min
President's Podcast: Fostering the next generation of Hispanic leaders
The number of foreign medical graduates interested in infectious diseases is increasing. IDSA President Carlos del Rio, MD, FIDSA speaks to fellow Hispanic board members Lilian Abbo, MD, FIDSA, Cesar Arias, MD, MS, PhD, FIDSA and Max Brito, MD, MPH, FIDSA about their journeys to ID as foreign medical graduates and how to foster the next generation of Hispanic ID leaders.

Jul 29, 2023 • 41min
The intersection of infectious diseases and public health: strengthening career paths
Forging a career in infectious diseases public health can be an isolating experience. In this episode, Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, speaks with Virginia Caine, MD, Nahid Bhadelia, MD, MALD and Eric Chow, MD, MS, MPH, about their journeys in public health, including the importance of building accessible career paths for ID fellows.

Jul 18, 2023 • 29min
President's Podcast: Communicating with the public during a pandemic with CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta, MD
IDSA President Carlos del Rio MD, FIDSA sits down with CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta, MD to discuss lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and how infectious diseases professionals can effectively communicate with decision makers and the public.

Jul 1, 2023 • 24min
Is life better in locum? A locum tenens ID physician shares her story
“Everything's negotiable in the locums world.” Locum tenens is a career path that is often discouraged for ID professionals. In this Let’s Talk ID episode with host Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, locum tenens ID physician Allison Nazinitsky, MD shares how life in locum tenens provides better pay, work-life balance and a sense of appreciation.

Jun 10, 2023 • 31min
Is the grass greener? Life as an ID physician working in private practice
“We need to start dispelling the myth that you're not able to make money doing [what you love].” After matching into physical medicine and rehabilitation and spending a gap year as a hospitalist, Alice Han, MD decided to pursue a career in infectious diseases. In this episode with Dr. Paul Sax, Dr. Han shares the reason she switched specialties, what it’s like working in ID private practice and the key to having professional satisfaction in ID.