Let's Talk ID

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
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.

All Episodes

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/auctionShape the future of ID with peers from around the world this October at IDWeek in Atlanta, Georgia! Register today ➡️ https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowIDS251View the interactive program ➡️ https://idweek2025.eventscribe.net/

Sep 27

18 min

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.Shape the future of ID with peers from around the world this October at IDWeek in Atlanta, Georgia! Register today ➡️ https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowIDS251View the interactive program ➡️ https://idweek2025.eventscribe.net/

Aug 21

23 min

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.Shape the future of ID with peers from around the world this October at IDWeek in Atlanta, Georgia! Register today ➡️ https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowIDS251View the interactive program ➡️ https://idweek2025.eventscribe.net/

Aug 16

30 min

Judy Guzman-Cottrill, DO, Professor of Pediatrics at Oregon Health & Science University, and John Brooks, MD, former CDC medical officer, rejoin Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, to discuss the impact of federal funding cuts, including the return of preventable diseases, the loss of mental health resources, and what can be done to protect the progress made toward health equity.Shape the future of ID with peers from around the world this October at IDWeek in Atlanta, Georgia! Register today ➡️ https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowIDS251View the interactive program ➡️ https://idweek2025.eventscribe.net/

Jun 14

17 min

In this two-part series, Judy Guzman-Cottrill, DO, Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases at Oregon Health and Science University, and John Brooks, MD,  former CDC medical officer and epidemiologist, join Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, to discuss the real-time consequences of federal funding cuts on public health. From dismantled community partnerships to stalled clinical trials, the three examine how these decisions are reshaping pandemic preparedness, and what we risk losing next.Shape the future of ID with peers from around the world this October at IDWeek in Atlanta, Georgia! Register today ➡️ https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowIDS251View the interactive program ➡️ https://idweek2025.eventscribe.net/

Jun 2

25 min

ID physicians Priya Nori, MD, FSHEA, FIDSA, and Gonzalo Bearman, MD, MPH, FACP, FSHEA, FIDSA, join Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, to discuss challenges often faced by ID specialists, including gaslighting and uncompensated labor. The three discuss how physicians can advocate for themselves, set boundaries, and push for meaningful change within their institutions.Are We Being Gaslit? A Primer for Recognizing Corporate Jargon to Overcome Gaslighting for the Infectious Disease Workforce: https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaf097/8056053Minimizing Low-Value, Uncompensated Work in Academic Infectious Diseases: A 6-Step Program: https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/78/6/1656/7610959

May 17

26 min

Infectious diseases fellow Sam Peterson, MD, shares her unique journey to ID with Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS. The two explore the power of mentorship, the value of storytelling, and what it takes to inspire the next generation of ID specialists. 

Apr 26

25 min

John Fangman, MD, discusses threats to the Affordable Care Act and how they could impact people with HIV with JoAnn Volk, MA, research professor, founder, and co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and Tim Horn, Director, Medication Access at NASTAD. 

Apr 9

21 min

Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, is joined by infectious diseases physicians and international medical graduates, Vidya Sundareshan, MD, and Alfredo Mena Lora, MD, FIDSA, to discuss how international medical graduates (IMGs) can pursue a career in infectious diseases. The trio discuss visa options, job search strategies, and how political change could impact the process.

Apr 5

21 min

Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, speaks with Adam Ratner, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and Bellevue Hospital Center, about his book, "Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles" and the rise of vaccine preventable diseases. 

Mar 22

27 min

Anna Person, MD discusses threats to the Medicaid program and how they could impact people with HIV with Kate McManus, MD, MSc, FIDSA, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia in the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health and Amy Killelea, JD, Assistant Research Professor at the Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reforms (CHIR) and consultant to the HIV Medicine Association.  

Mar 15

27 min

IDSA Board Member Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, discusses public health forecasting and response efforts with Lior Rennert, PhD, director of the Center for Public Health Modeling and Response at Clemson University, and Dylan George, PhD, director of CDC’s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA). 

Mar 1

25 min

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