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Opportunities for leadership in the specialty of infectious diseases (ID) have markedly increased over the last decade, including in newly recognized areas. Commensurate with the expansion of opportunities in ID, pathways to leadership positions within the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) are expanding as the Society seeks to advance the field for IDSA members. Acknowledging both the importance of diverse leaders to organizational success and shortfalls in diverse representation within IDSA leadership led to concentrated efforts to enhance transparency and opportunities for members to participate broadly in the work of IDSA. Herein, IDSA leaders reflect on their paths to IDSA leadership, hoping to help guide members seeking to partner with the Society. Features identified as important to individual success include mentorship, networking, participation in ID and IDSA volunteer experiences, passion for ID, and working with IDSA staff to advance the programs and initiatives of IDSA on behalf of members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In October 2018, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Board of Directors (BOD) decided to develop a 2019 IDSA Strategic Plan. The IDSA BOD has invested in strategic planning at regular intervals as part of an ongoing process to review and to renew the vision and direction of IDSA. Herein, the 2018–2019 strategic planning process and outcomes are described. The 2019 IDSA Strategic Plan presents 4 key initiatives: (1) optimize the development, dissemination, and adoption of timely and relevant ID guidance and guidelines that improve the outcomes of clinical care; (2) quantify, communicate, and advocate for the value of ID physicians to increase professional fulfillment and compensation; (3) facilitate the growth and development of the ID workforce to meet emerging scientific, clinical, and leadership needs; and (4) develop and position a new tool to serve as the leading US benchmark to measure and drive national progress on antimicrobial resistance. The BOD looks forward to developing, implementing, assessing, and advancing the 2019 IDSA Strategic Plan working with member volunteers, Society partners, and IDSA staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physician-scientists, no matter their particular disease or research focus, within divisions of infectious diseases serve a number of key roles. Foremost, they promote scholarship and excellence in research endeavors with the potential for impact not only within their division or university but globally. These individuals also make important contributions to the training experiences of infectious diseases fellows and internal medicine residents, helping to foster an understanding of how evidence-based (or not) our patient care delivery actually is. Ongoing discussions between those focused on the clinical aspects of infectious diseases and those predominantly pursuing research questions enrich the scholarly environment for both physician groups and provides the foundation for translating the science to improved care for patients with infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article appreciates professor of medicine John G. Bartlett for his contribution to the progress of infectious diseases' research and studies at Johns Hopkins University. Topics discussed include his appointment as the Division of Infectious Diseases' Stanhope Baynes Jones Professor of Medicine in 1980, research budget of 40 million U.S dollars in 2006, and contributions of other researchers such as William Henry Welch, William Osler, and T. H. Gilchrist.