Let's Talk ID

IDSA CEO Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH, FIDSA, sits down with Past President, Daniel McQuillen, MD, FIDSA, and private practice infectious diseases physician, Sneha Thatipelli, MD, to discuss the value of volunteering with IDSA, finding the right opportunity and how getting involved can shape your career. The 2026 IDSA Call for Volunteers is open now through Friday, July 31. Apply (member login require...

Host Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA is joined by IDSA Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations Amanda Jezek to discuss the policy challenges shaping infectious diseases, public health and research ahead of the midterm elections. They explore IDSA's advocacy strategy, recent policy wins and how ID professionals can build relationships with policymakers to drive me...

Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA sits down with comedy-writer, Mike Reiss, and his wife, Denise Reiss, to discuss a lifetime of travel experiences spanning more than 100 countries. From submarine dives and whale sharks to a hospitalization caused by Shigella, they recount remarkable adventures and the health risks that can emerge when exploring the world.

Host Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, is joined by Darrell McBride, DO, FIDSA, former program director and founder of the Geisinger Ryan White Program, to discuss the realities of delivering HIV and infectious diseases care in rural communities. They explore barriers to care, the role of telehealth and public health partnerships, and what it takes to build sustainable, equity-focused program...

IDSA CEO Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH, FIDSA, hosts IDSA board members Ronald Nahass, MD, MHCM, FIDSA, Wendy Armstrong, MD, FIDSA, and Max Brito, MD, MPH, FIDSA, to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the field of infectious diseases. From defending vaccine science to strengthening the ID workforce and growing membership, the group shares how IDSA is responding to today’s health care chal...

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:...

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 ID Week 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...

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...

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.

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...

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 Recognizin...

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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...

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). 

IDSA Board Member Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, Former CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, FIDSA, and VP of Health Programs at the Carter Center, Kashef Ijaz, MD, MPH, discuss the legacy of Former President Jimmy Carter, his work addressing neglected tropical diseases and the impact and value of public advocacy and political support for these diseases.