President’s Letter from Deb Palazzi – Gratitude, Community, and the Path Ahead

As we approach the end of the year, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude on the extraordinary work our Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society members do every single day. Whether you care for vulnerable children in busy clinical settings, advance the science that will shape the next generation of therapies and vaccines, teach and mentor future leaders, or advocate for policies that protect public health, your dedication is the foundation on which our field stands. You continue to show up for children, families, and communities–even amid ongoing pressures on clinical operations, workforce capacity, and resources–and I am profoundly thankful.

One of our greatest strengths is our fellowship. We are a small but mighty community, bound by a shared mission and a sense of purpose that extends far beyond our individual institutions. This year, I have been especially moved by the ways in which members have supported one another by offering expertise, standing together in advocacy, and contributing time and effort across our committees, task forces, and working groups.

Your voices have shaped policies on vaccines, antimicrobial resistance, and pediatric research funding. Your insights have guided our responses to emerging threats and misinformation. Your work truly matters, and it has never been more important. We have an opportunity–and a responsibility–to build on these and strengthen our field for the next generation.

Two programs in particular depend on your support: SUMMERS and meetID. SUMMERS opens doors for college and graduate/medical students to experience infectious diseases research firsthand, often inspiring them to pursue careers in our field. Meanwhile, meetID offers a dynamic space to bring premedical and medical trainees directly to pediatric ID, fostering early mentorship and visibility at a moment when many are still discovering their professional paths.

These initiatives are essential to cultivating the next generation of pediatric ID physicians and scientists, and they flourish only through your engagement as mentors, hosting learners, donating directly, or championing efforts locally. If you have not already engaged with these programs, my wish for the coming year is that you do. Your time, your stories, and your networks are among the most valuable resources we have.

As we close this year and look toward the work ahead, I am inspired by what we have already accomplished and even more so by what we can do together. Your compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to children and families form the heart of our society. I am deeply honored to serve alongside you, and I am energized by the future we will continue to build in partnership.

With gratitude and collaboration, we are better together, always.

Deb