President’s Letter from Deb Palazzi – Partnerships Are Essential to Our Work

As we move into spring, a season defined by fresh energy, I find myself reflecting on one of the most essential elements of our work in pediatric infectious diseases: partnership. Much like the season itself, our field is constantly evolving, requiring new ideas, renewed commitment, and reaffirmed connections to help us grow. The challenges we face – whether advancing clinical care, performing cutting edge research, or advocating for children’s health – are simply too complex to tackle alone.

Our progress depends on the strength of our collaborations, and I am continually inspired by the ways in which PIDS members cultivate and sustain partnerships across disciplines, institutions, and borders to drive meaningful change. This spirit of partnership and renewal is evident in several important initiatives currently underway.

I am pleased to share that PIDS will once again serve as a sponsor of the Pediatrics Session of the National Medical Association Annual Convention – this year in July in Puerto Rico; our fourth consecutive year supporting this important gathering. This ongoing collaboration reflects our steadfast commitment to advancing health equity and supporting underrepresented communities in medicine.

We are also deepening our international partnerships, planting seeds today that will produce for years to come. Our Executive Director, Christy Phillips, and I have been working closely with ESPID President Adilia Warris to enhance collaboration between our organizations. We have updated our Memorandum of Understanding to better support our shared initiatives, with a focus on education, research, and global engagement. These efforts will strengthen our collective impact by creating new opportunities for our members to connect, contribute, and thrive on an international stage.

At the same time, we are actively strengthening our relationship with IDSA, building new momentum for cooperation. We recently met with new IDSA CEO Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH, to explore avenues for enhanced partnership, both financially and operationally. Those discussions included revisiting IDWeek prospects, as well as identifying potential joint initiatives in medical education, antimicrobial stewardship, and advocacy. We are optimistic about the possibilities ahead.

Advocacy remains another cornerstone of our work. Recently, our PIDS Vaccine Advocacy Fellows participated in Capitol Hill meetings, bringing the perspective of pediatric infectious diseases directly to policymakers. Looking ahead, as part of the 2026 SALUD Summit with the Latino Medical Student Association, PIDS will once again have its perspective heard on Capitol Hill. The summit focuses on health equity, policy advocacy, and community-centered care, and provides a powerful platform for trainees and professionals to engage directly with policymakers to help shape the future of care.

We have also seen the impact of our advocacy efforts come to fruition in the legal arena. In the case of AAP v. Kennedy, a preliminary injunction was granted – an important victory for children’s health and evidence-based vaccine policy. PIDS was proud to endorse this suit through an amicus brief, offering our expertise and perspective to inform the court of how the decision would affect our ability to provide care for children, while also highlighting the broader societal importance of appropriate vaccine recommendations.

Together, these efforts reflect a season of growth, momentum, and possibility. They underscore what we can achieve when we work in partnership – with our colleagues, with policymakers, and with each other – and they highlight the dedication, expertise, and passion that define PIDS membership. I am incredibly proud to be part of such a collaborative and engaged society.

Thank you for all that you do.

Better together, always,
Deb