Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
A Science , Health & Fitness and Medicine podcast
Let's Talk ID is a podcast by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, featuring discussions with experts on a range of topics related to infectious diseases including antimicrobial resistance, ID diagnostics and outbreaks such as COVID-19, Ebola and measles. Episodes on IDSA’s guidelines are also available.*The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
37 min
Live from IDWeek 2026, Let's Talk ID hosts Drs. Buddy Creech, Kelly Cawcutt and Paul Sax share their biggest clinical takeaways and hot takes from the meeting. They discuss new developments in antifungal treatments, NTM, hospital-onset sepsis, influenza and measles, along with evolving approaches to antibiotic treatment.
26 min
In Part 2 of Plagues and Icons: The Stories That Shaped ID, IDSA President-Elect Max Brito, MD, MPH, FIDSA, continues his conversation with Calvin Kunin, MD, FIDSA, 97, about his pioneering UTI research and remarkable career in infectious diseases.
31 min
In this episode of Plagues and Icons: The Stories that Shaped ID, a new series from Let’s Talk ID, IDSA Vice President Max Brito, MD, MPH, FIDSA, speaks with Calvin Kunin, MD, FIDSA, 97, about his pioneering research on urinary tract infections and the experiences that shaped his career.
The newest 50 of 250 episodes
37 min
Live from IDWeek 2026, Let's Talk ID hosts Drs. Buddy Creech, Kelly Cawcutt and Paul Sax share their biggest clinical takeaways and hot takes from the meeting. They discuss new developments in antifungal treatments, NTM, hospital-onset sepsis, influenza and measles, along with evolving approaches to antibiotic treatment.
26 min
In Part 2 of Plagues and Icons: The Stories That Shaped ID, IDSA President-Elect Max Brito, MD, MPH, FIDSA, continues his conversation with Calvin Kunin, MD, FIDSA, 97, about his pioneering UTI research and remarkable career in infectious diseases.
31 min
In this episode of Plagues and Icons: The Stories that Shaped ID, a new series from Let’s Talk ID, IDSA Vice President Max Brito, MD, MPH, FIDSA, speaks with Calvin Kunin, MD, FIDSA, 97, about his pioneering research on urinary tract infections and the experiences that shaped his career.
25 min
What exactly makes a paper a good fit for the Journal of Infectious Diseases? JID Editor-in-Chief and Professor of Medicine, Oncology and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cynthia Sears, MD, FIDSA, and JID Deputy Editor and Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Jonathan Li, MD, FIDSA, join CID Editor-in-Chief and Let’s Talk ID host, Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, to discuss the journal’s focus on translational science, new features, mentorship opportunities and some of the research they’re most excited about.
30 min
Meet the newest voices behind Let’s Talk ID. Infectious disease physicians Kelly Cawcutt, MD, MS, FACP, FIDSA, FCCM, FSHEA, and Nico Cortes-Penfield, MD, FACP, FIDSA, join the podcast as co-hosts for episodes focused on research published in IDSA journals. In their first episode, they speak with Joy Juskowich, MD, and Arif Sarwari, MBA, MD, MSC, authors of a Clinical Infectious Diseases study on early transition from IV to oral antibiotics and discuss its implications for clinical practice. The study: https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/82/4/e674/8384448
29 min
Trust alone doesn't always change minds. Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS, sits down with Todd Wolynn, MD, MMM, executive director of the Trusted Messenger Program, to share practical communication strategies that help clinicians build trust, navigate difficult conversations and guide patients toward evidence-based decisions.
24 min
IDSA CEO Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH, FIDSA, sits down with Past President, Daniel McQuillen, MD, FIDSA, and private practice infectious diseases physician, Sneha Thatipelli, MD, to discuss the value of volunteering with IDSA, finding the right opportunity and how getting involved can shape your career. The 2026 IDSA Call for Volunteers is open now through Friday, July 31. Apply (member login required): https://bit.ly/4gWz6qK
27 min
Host Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA is joined by IDSA Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations Amanda Jezek to discuss the policy challenges shaping infectious diseases, public health and research ahead of the midterm elections. They explore IDSA's advocacy strategy, recent policy wins and how ID professionals can build relationships with policymakers to drive meaningful change.
25 min
Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA sits down with comedy-writer, Mike Reiss, and his wife, Denise Reiss, to discuss a lifetime of travel experiences spanning more than 100 countries. From submarine dives and whale sharks to a hospitalization caused by Shigella, they recount remarkable adventures and the health risks that can emerge when exploring the world.
30 min
Host Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, is joined by Darrell McBride, DO, FIDSA, former program director and founder of the Geisinger Ryan White Program, to discuss the realities of delivering HIV and infectious diseases care in rural communities. They explore barriers to care, the role of telehealth and public health partnerships, and what it takes to build sustainable, equity-focused programs in underserved areas.
28 min
IDSA CEO Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH, FIDSA, hosts IDSA board members Ronald Nahass, MD, MHCM, FIDSA, Wendy Armstrong, MD, FIDSA, and Max Brito, MD, MPH, FIDSA, to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the field of infectious diseases. From defending vaccine science to strengthening the ID workforce and growing membership, the group shares how IDSA is responding to today’s health care challenges and preparing for the future.
27 min
Host Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, and guest Rebeca Plank, MD, MPH, return for another Let’s Talk ID draft, this time, sharing infectious diseases “love/hates.” They discuss the tools, tests and clinical strategies that inspire both enthusiasm and hesitation in everyday ID practice, and what these mixed feelings reveal about how the field continues to evolve.
25 min
Host Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS, is joined by pediatric infectious diseases fellows to explore what it takes to be an effective vaccine advocate, from patient conversations to policymaking. They discuss the importance of clear communication, building trust, and advancing policies that protect equitable access to vaccines. Become an advocate: www.idsociety.org/MAP ID/HIV Advocate Learning Series: https://academy.idsociety.org/content/become-idhiv-advocate-learning-series
15 min
Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, sits down with Patrick Passarelli, MD, a med-peds ID physician at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and ID editor for theMednet, to explore how clinicians can get expert guidance beyond AI. They dive into the origins of theMednet, what makes a great clinical question, and how this growing community of medical experts is shaping practice.
51 min
In a special encore presentation in honor of Black History Month, Let’s Talk ID host and IDSA Board member Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, speaks with HIVMA Chair Allison Agwu, MD, ScM, FIDSA, HIVMA Immediate Past Chair Michelle Cespedes, MD, MS, and Darrell McBride, DO, about their experiences as Black infectious diseases physicians.
15 min
Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, sits down with infectious disease and critical care physician, Matthew Brigmon, MD, of the University of Texas at San Antonio, to explore his unique path as a double-boarded physician. They discuss the challenges and rewards of combining the two specialties and share guidance for trainees interested in forging a career in ID Critical Care.
45 min
Host Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, and former CDC director Demetre Daskalakis MD, MPH, explore the current state of public health. They discuss how political pressures and weakened infrastructure have left the system vulnerable, and how this moment could spark a public health “renaissance."
27 min
Let's Talk ID hosts, Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS, Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA and Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA reunite live at IDWeek 2025 to share their hottest takes on infectious diseases and public health. They discuss the controversial dismantling of CDC, exciting breakthroughs in treating staph aureus bacteremia, and shifts that could shape the future of the field.
17 min
Ana Velez, MD, FACP, joins Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, to share how her passion for art fuels her work in infectious diseases, from teaching through medical illustrations to using her art to give back to the ID community. Dr. Velez reveals the inspirations behind her work and how creativity brings new meaning to medicine. She also discusses her latest series of paintings that she is donating to the IDSA Foundation's Art Auction. Bid now to own one of Dr. Velez's paintings: https://givebutter.com/c/pclXSb/auction
22 min
Anna Person, MD, FIDSA, discusses the role of street medicine in improving access to HIV services and opportunities to support SM programs under Medicaid with Nathan Nolan, MD, MPH, MPHE, Founder of Street Medicine STL and Chris Menschner, Director, Complex Care Programs at the Center for Health Care Strategies.
31 min
Bruce Gellin, MD, MPH, FIDSA, ID physician and senior advisor at the Georgetown University Global Health Institute, joins Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS, to discuss the Vaccine Integrity Project and the importance of ensuring vaccine policy remains grounded in evidence. The two explore strategies for countering misinformation, building public trust, and empowering health care professionals to engage in constructive conversations about immunization.
17 min
Judy Guzman-Cottrill, DO, Professor of Pediatrics at Oregon Health & Science University, and John Brooks, MD, former CDC medical officer, rejoin Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, to discuss the impact of federal funding cuts, including the return of preventable diseases, the loss of mental health resources, and what can be done to protect the progress made toward health equity.
25 min
In this two-part series, Judy Guzman-Cottrill, DO, Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases at Oregon Health and Science University, and John Brooks, MD, former CDC medical officer and epidemiologist, join Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, to discuss the real-time consequences of federal funding cuts on public health. From dismantled community partnerships to stalled clinical trials, the three examine how these decisions are reshaping pandemic preparedness, and what we risk losing next.
27 min
ID physicians Priya Nori, MD, FSHEA, FIDSA, and Gonzalo Bearman, MD, MPH, FACP, FSHEA, FIDSA, join Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, to discuss challenges often faced by ID specialists, including gaslighting and uncompensated labor. The three discuss how physicians can advocate for themselves, set boundaries, and push for meaningful change within their institutions. Are We Being Gaslit? A Primer for Recognizing Corporate Jargon to Overcome Gaslighting for the Infectious Disease Workforce: https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaf097/8056053 Minimizing Low-Value, Uncompensated Work in Academic Infectious Diseases: A 6-Step Program: https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/78/6/1656/7610959
26 min
Infectious diseases fellow Sam Peterson, MD, shares her unique journey to ID with Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS. The two explore the power of mentorship, the value of storytelling, and what it takes to inspire the next generation of ID specialists.
21 min
John Fangman, MD, discusses threats to the Affordable Care Act and how they could impact people with HIV with JoAnn Volk, MA, research professor, founder, and co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and Tim Horn, Director, Medication Access at NASTAD.
21 min
Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, is joined by infectious diseases physicians and international medical graduates, Vidya Sundareshan, MD, and Alfredo Mena Lora, MD, FIDSA, to discuss how international medical graduates (IMGs) can pursue a career in infectious diseases. The trio discuss visa options, job search strategies, and how political change could impact the process.
27 min
Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, speaks with Adam Ratner, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and Bellevue Hospital Center, about his book, "Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles" and the rise of vaccine preventable diseases.
27 min
Anna Person, MD discusses threats to the Medicaid program and how they could impact people with HIV with Kate McManus, MD, MSc, FIDSA, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia in the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health and Amy Killelea, JD, Assistant Research Professor at the Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reforms (CHIR) and consultant to the HIV Medicine Association.
26 min
IDSA Board Member Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, discusses public health forecasting and response efforts with Lior Rennert, PhD, director of the Center for Public Health Modeling and Response at Clemson University, and Dylan George, PhD, director of CDC’s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA).
29 min
IDSA Board Member Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, Former CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, FIDSA, and VP of Health Programs at the Carter Center, Kashef Ijaz, MD, MPH, discuss the legacy of Former President Jimmy Carter, his work addressing neglected tropical diseases and the impact and value of public advocacy and political support for these diseases.
24 min
Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, is joined by Varun Phadke, MD, and Daniel Minter, MD, co-creators of CID's new series, "Clinical Dilemmas in Infectious Diseases," which guides readers through challenging clinical management decisions in infectious diseases. Click here to learn more about submitting to the Clinical Dilemmas in Infectious Diseases series. Click here to read the first Clinical Dilemmas in Infectious Diseases papers.
28 min
Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS, is joined by Sustainabil-ID co-founders, Preeti Jaggi, MD, and Shreya Doshi, MD, to discuss how ID can address issues of sustainability.
18 min
IDSA President Tina Tan, MD, FIDSA, FPIDS, FAAP, discusses the 2024-2025 respiratory illness season with Brendan Jackson, MD, MPH, Director of the Office of Readiness, Response and Operations at the CDC National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
25 min
From treatment of strep pharyngitis to clinical trials, ID physicians and long-time friends Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS, Jason Newland, MD, MEd, FPIDS and Jeffrey Gerber, MD, PhD, give their hot takes.
31 min
In 2020, with funding from CDC, IDSA launched the Real-Time Learning Network, a website that provided timely information about COVID-19 pandemic to clinicians and the public. In this episode, medical editors of the Real-Time Learning Network recount their experiences building the project from the ground up and discuss lessons learned for the future.
32 min
Recorded onsite at IDWeek 2024 in Los Angeles, the hosts of Let's Talk ID and Febrile discuss what they value most about the conference, including the opportunities to support ID workforce development.
29 min
2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the West African Ebola epidemic that took the lives of 11,000 people. In this episode, IDSA President Steven K. Schmitt, MD, FIDSA speaks with Arjun Srinivasan, MD, Deputy Director for Program Improvement in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at the CDC, and Angela Hewlett, MD, MS, FIDSA, Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Nebraska and the George W. Orr MD and Linda Orr Chair in Health Security, about their experiences on the frontline.
31 min
HIV specialist and former punk rock musician, Eamonn Vitt, MD, joins Paul Sax MD, FIDSA, to discuss running a small private practice in NYC and his efforts to seek lower drug costs for his patients.
23 min
More than 200,000 cases of syphilis were reported in the U.S. in 2022, the highest number of cases since the 1950s. In this episode, pediatric ID physician Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS, speaks to Laura Bachmann, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer in the Division of STD prevention at the CDC, about attributing factors and what providers can do to address this rising epidemic.
28 min
John Fangman, MD discusses opportunities for Medicaid program to cover health-related social needs, such as housing, nutrition and transportation with Katie Garfield, JD, Director of the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation of Harvard Law School’s Whole Person Care initiative and Michelle Collins-Ogle, MD, Director Montefiore Adolescent & Youth Sexual-health Clinic and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. See the companion Reimagining Medicaid, How Medicaid Can Help Address Social Determinants of Health Fact Sheet.
24 min
Anna Person, MD, FIDSA discusses opportunities to work with Medicaid managed care plans to optimize HIV care with Jenny Babcock, Senior Vice President for Medicaid Policy and Director of Strategic Operations at Association for Community Affiliated Plans and, Doug Wirth, President and CEO of Amida Care. Engaging Medicaid Managed Care Plans on HIV Access Helping Medicaid Patients Access Their HIV Medications Fact Sheet.
20 min
John Fangman, MD discusses how providers can engage with their state Medicaid programs to reduce barriers to HIV medications with Kate McManus, MD, MSc, FIDSA, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia in the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health and Ryan Westergaard, MD, PhD, MPH, Professor with the Division of Infectious Disease at the University of Wisconsin and Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. See the companion Helping Medicaid Patients Access Their HIV Medications Fact Sheet.
22 min
Anna Person, MD, FIDSA discusses Medicaid basics and how the program helps people with HIV with Lindsey Dawson, MPP, Associate Director of HIV Policy and Director of LGBTQT Health at KFF, and Wendy Armstrong, MD FIDSA, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Vice Chair of Education and Integration at the Emory University School of Medicine. See the companion fact sheet Understanding Why Medicaid Matters for People with HIV.
25 min
IDSA Board member Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, discusses the importance of advocacy, including how IDSA and HIVMA members can get involved, with chair and vice chair of IDSA’s advocacy captain subcommittee, Rachel Bender Ignacio, MD, MPH, FIDSA, and Kinna Thakarar, DO, MPH, FIDSA, as well as IDSA senior vice president of public policy and government relations, Amanda Jezek, and HIVMA executive director, Andrea Weddle.
36 min
As IDSA increases its involvement with state and regional ID societies, IDSA President Steven Schmitt, MD, FIDSA, discusses their value with Immediate Past President Daniel P. McQuillen, MD, FIDSA, President of the Michigan Infectious Diseases Society Anu Malani, MD, FIDSA, and Former President of the Texas ID Society Brad Cutrell, MD, FIDSA.
30 min
Mati Hlatshwayo Davis discusses the latest information on avian influenza with Demetre Daskalakis, MD, MPH, director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Andrew Bowman, DVM, PhD, a veterinarian, epidemiologist and influenza expert at Ohio State University, and Katelyn Jetelina, MPH, PhD, an epidemiologist and data scientist. *This episode was recorded on May 21, 2024.
33 min
ID physician Courtney Harris, MD, FACP, speaks to Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, about her experience job hunting as an ID fellow and provides tips on how to find your dream job in infectious diseases.
16 min
CID editor-in-chief Paul Sax, MD, FIDSA, speaks with ID physician Darcy Wooten, MD, FIDSA, about her piece in CID's Voices of ID series, "The Arrivals Gate at Heathrow Airport" and the parallel between rom coms and ID.
31 min
In a new crossover episode with the Febrile podcast, host Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, FPIDS, and Febrile creator and infectious diseases physician, Sara Dong, MD, discuss the power of digital education tools on infectious diseases training.
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