Dear Members of the ISID family,

It’s a great pleasure and honor to have recently taken over as president of the Society. A huge vote of thanks must go to Jon Cohen, for all that he has done over an exceptionally productive presidency. We say goodbye to Keith Klugman and Ziad Memish from our Executive Board, both of whom have made outstanding contributions. At the same time, we welcome Lindsay Grayson and Sally Roberts, from Australia and New Zealand, and look forward to continuing the excellent work of this exceptional society, with them, our new Council members, and you all!

The 18th ICID in Buenos Aires in March was a tremendous success with over 2,400 attendees. Thanks to our friends at the Infectious Diseases Society of Argentina.
(SADI) who did a magnificent job of hosting the conference, with a dynamic program of scientific and social events. It has enriched our lives and spawned a new generation of tango dancers. We are busy behind the scenes, finalizing the venue for the 19th ICID in 2020, which will return to the Western Pacific region. We will be making an announcement of the venue very soon. Before then, preparations are already at full steam for IMED, the Society’s meeting on Emerging Infectious Diseases, which will be held in Vienna between 9-12 November this year. We look forward to seeing many of you there, and more details can be found on our website.

ISID prides itself in serving the needs of the next generation of infectious diseases clinicians and scientists, through our emerging leaders, and grants and fellowship programs. Current research that we are undertaking suggests that even small grants can have a profound influence on young researchers’ careers. At the 18th ICID, we awarded the first ISID-Institut Mérieux Young Investigator Award, which went to Dr. Jose Munita for his outstanding contributions to the field of antibiotic resistance in Gram positive organisms. We look forward to continuing this award at future ICIDs.

Over the next 2 years, we will increase the policy and advocacy for infectious diseases as a training need in resource limited countries and for recognition of our profession as a specialty in its own right in all countries where this is absent. Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, the rise of antimicrobial resistance and other countless opportunities go by to make governments and policy makers aware of the need for skilled infection practitioners. We intend to harness this through the formation and work of a new ISID Policy and Advocacy Committee.

Further updates and news will follow over the coming months, and I look forward to personally working with you on one of our many joint missions.

All best wishes,
Marc Mendelson
President, ISID