Dear Colleagues,
This month, SHEA is hosting a series of virtual meetings on Capitol Hill. This is the fourth year for this event and the largest turnout of SHEA volunteers since its inception. We thank all the advocates attending meetings with congressional staff this year. It is critical to furthering SHEA’s mission. Many of SHEA’s policy agenda items may be at risk of lower funding or termination based on current administrative priorities. Our primary asks include sustaining a modernized National Healthcare Safety Network; inclusion of infection prevention and control, and antibiotic stewardship research at NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; maintaining CDC’s Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative; preserving the Agency for Health Research and Quality; and maintaining key CDC Committees (ACIP and HICPAC) with their SHEA liaisons. For advocates who choose to raise concerns with their own delegation, we’ve also included talking points on the effects of President Trump’s Executive Orders and memoranda. Look for more details in the Policy Update bi-weekly email.
Now is a crucial time for expertise and in infection prevention and outbreak preparedness and response. While a few years old, I would remind everyone to check out SHEA/CDC Outbreak Response toolkit: https://ortp.guidelinecentral.com/, which contains dozens of resources applicable to the health threats we’re facing today. They’re available at no charge and be customized for your health facility or system.
SHEA Spring is approaching! I'm looking forward to seeing many of you face-to-face at the 2025 SHEA Spring Conference next month. Led by Drs. Mike Stevens and Ibukun Kalu, the 2025 Program Committee has curated an outstanding conference with many networking opportunities. I extend a warm welcome to the International Ambassadors and the SHEA Scholarship awardees who will be joining us. I am happy to connect with any members and look forward especially to meeting those who have just joined or are first-time attendees to the conference.
Nominations for the 2026 SHEA Board of Trustees will commence in early April. If you're interested, please consider nominating yourself for any available positions. Additionally, in May we'll be initiating the call for SHEA volunteers. If you're eager to get involved in the leadership and direction of the society, we strongly encourage you to submit your application. SHEA offers an array of volunteer opportunities. The invaluable and fulfilling work carried out by the SHEA committees, task forces, and special interest groups relies on the dedication of our member volunteers.
Nominations for SHEA Career Awards will open this month and will be presented at IDWeek 2025, which will be held in Atlanta from October 19-22, 2025. More details will be available on www.shea-foundation.org in mid-March. If you have questions, please contact us at info@shea-online.org. We want to make sure that everyone who is interested in applying has the information that they need.
If you are coming to SHEA Spring, please attend the opening reception and meet the Board members. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
David J. Weber, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FSHEA, FRSM (London)
2025 SHEA President