President’s Letter from Deb Palazzi – Celebration of the Quarter Century – the Annual St. Jude/PIDS Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Conference

Those of us that were able to attend the annual St. Jude/PIDS Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Conference appreciated an extraordinary gathering that reminded us why our field is so special. For 25 years, this meeting—made possible through our remarkable partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital—has served as a premier venue for advancing science, mentoring the next generation, and strengthening the community that defines pediatric ID.

This year’s program showcased the remarkable breadth and depth of our field, with keynote lectures, oral abstracts, symposia, and interactive sessions highlighting advances in pediatric infectious diseases, transplant ID, global health, antimicrobial stewardship, vaccine strategies, emerging pathogens, and innovative diagnostics. Across every session, the quality of the science was outstanding and a powerful reminder of the intellectual vitality of pediatric ID.

Equally inspiring was the energy of our learners. Trainees and early-career investigators presented exceptional work (including past and current SUMMERS and meetID scholars), asked thoughtful questions and engaged deeply with mentors and senior investigators. The conversations that happened in hallways, poster sessions, and small group discussions reflected the collaborative spirit that has long defined this meeting. The conference continues to be one of the most important spaces where the next generation of pediatric ID leaders connect, learn, and grow.

A highlight of the meeting was the keynote lecture by Dr. Drew Weissman, Nobel Laureate and pioneer of mRNA technology, who shared fascinating insights on the past, present, and future of mRNA therapeutics. His talk was a powerful reminder of how fundamental discoveries in immunology and infectious diseases can transform medicine and public health on a global scale.

Because this year marked the 25th anniversary of the conference, we also took time to celebrate the incredible community that has grown around it. Our anniversary event was filled with laughter, reconnection, and even a little (or a lot of) dancing! Moments like these remind us that the strength of pediatric infectious diseases lies not only in the science we produce, but also in the camaraderie, mentorship, and friendships that sustain our work.

We are deeply grateful to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for their extraordinary partnership and long-standing commitment to supporting this meeting and to advancing pediatric infectious diseases research.

As we celebrate the success of this conference and the strength of our community, I want to emphasize another critical effort underway for our field. The PIDS Pediatric ID Physician Workforce and Compensation Survey is essential for accurately understanding the current landscape of pediatric ID practice. The data from this survey will play a vital role in advocating for our specialty, informing discussions around workforce planning, compensation, and the value that pediatric ID physicians bring to health systems and public health.

If you are an operational or divisional leader receiving this survey, please take the time to complete it (or remind your leader to do so). Broad participation is crucial to ensure pediatric ID physicians are well represented. Strong data will help us advocate effectively for our field and for the future workforce that we are working so hard to inspire and train.

By coming together through both celebratory milestones and critical advocacy, we ensure that the legacy of the last twenty-five years continues to fuel a vibrant, well-supported, and impactful future for the entire pediatric ID community.

Better together, always,
Deb