President’s Letter from Deb Palazzi – The Power of Your VOICE

One of the greatest strengths of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society has always been its members. Thank you to everyone who participated in our strategic planning vision survey and listening sessions. Your thoughtful feedback reflects both the opportunities and challenges facing our field and will help shape the future of PIDS for years to come.

On June 24, the PIDS Board of Directors and invited experts gathered in Washington, DC, to review the findings and begin the important work of translating your ideas into a strategic roadmap. While our discussions were wide-ranging, five themes emerged consistently. Together, they form what I believe is the collective VOICE of our membership:

V – Visibility and Advocacy

Members expressed a strong desire for PIDS to elevate its role as a trusted national voice for pediatric infectious diseases, vaccines, antimicrobial stewardship, and child health. As science and public health face increasing challenges, our expertise, advocacy and leadership have never been more important.

O – Opportunities for Learning and Professional Development

PIDS members value high-quality education, mentorship, and leadership development. Expanding accessible opportunities for lifelong learning, career advancement, and professional growth will remain a priority as we support clinicians, educators, investigators, and leaders at every career stage.

I – Innovation in Research and Training

Innovation is central to the future of pediatric infectious diseases. Members emphasized the importance of supporting discovery, fostering collaborative and translational research, strengthening the next generation of investigators, and creating environments where scientific inquiry can thrive. At the same time, we must continue to innovate in fellowship training by adapting to evolving educational models while ensuring that future pediatric infectious diseases specialists are well prepared to meet the changing needs of children and communities.

C – Community and Connection

Belonging has always been a hallmark of PIDS. Members emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration, fostering inclusion, and creating meaningful opportunities to connect across institutions, disciplines, and career stages. Maintaining the close-knit culture that defines our society remains essential.

E – Enduring Workforce Sustainability

Perhaps the most urgent message was the need to ensure a thriving future for our profession. Recruitment, retention, compensation, and strengthening the pediatric infectious diseases pipeline are critical priorities. Building and sustaining a strong workforce is fundamental to advancing our mission and maximizing our impact on child health.

The strategic planning process is far from complete, but one message is already clear: the future of PIDS will be guided by the VOICE of its members. Over the coming months, the Board will continue to refine these priorities into a strategic plan with specific goals and actions.

We look forward to sharing the plan in greater detail and discussing the path forward with our membership at the PIDS Membership Meeting during IDWeek.

Thank you for sharing your perspectives, your aspirations, and your commitment to our profession. Together, we are building a stronger, more innovative and more vibrant future for pediatric infectious diseases and ensuring that the children and families we serve continue to benefit from the expertise, compassion and dedication that define our community.

Thank you for lending your VOICE to PIDS.
Deb