Dear Colleagues,
Several months into my presidency, my appreciation continues to grow for the incredible work happening across SHEA. I’m deeply grateful to our many dedicated volunteers whose efforts—on committees, projects, and policy development—advance our field and drive the meaningful progress we achieve together.
A typical week as SHEA President brings the privilege of engaging across many areas of the organization. This includes regular strategy sessions with our Executive Director to assess high-level priorities, brainstorming new initiatives, preparing for Board meetings, reviewing policy documents to ensure alignment with SHEA’s mission, and responding to member input. What I love most about this role is seeing the tangible impact our volunteers make on the field of healthcare epidemiology.
This month, SHEA is accepting applications for next year’s committees—and I strongly encourage you to apply. Volunteers are essential to fulfilling SHEA’s mission. Whether it's organizing educational programs and conferences, shaping federal policy, or developing guidance that improves safety for patients and healthcare personnel, your contributions make a difference. While not all volunteer requests may be honored, submitting your application is the best way to express your interest and be considered for future roles. In today’s rapidly evolving environment, making your voice heard matters more than ever. You can submit your application here.
Education remains a core focus at SHEA, and we’re especially excited for IDWeek 2025, taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, from October 19–22, 2025. The program primer is now available, and registration is open at idweek.org/registration. Be sure to check it out for a preview of what SHEA and our IDWeek partners have in store. Also, mark your calendar for two special SHEA events during the week:
- SHEA Business Meeting — Monday, October 20, from 7:00–8:30 AM ET (breakfast session)
- SHEA Lectureship by SHEA Past President, Dr. Anthony Harris — Tuesday, October 21 at 4:45 pm
I look forward to connecting with many of you there!
Additionally, I’m pleased to share that SHEA, in partnership with PIDS, will host an interactive virtual workshop:
Challenging Topics in Pediatric Healthcare Epidemiology, scheduled for two half-day sessions on November 13 (1:00–4:45 PM ET) and November 14 (1:00–4:30 PM ET). This workshop will explore timely and complex topics in pediatric healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention, and infectious diseases—from practical day-to-day concerns like the application of transmission-based precautions, to seasonal challenges such as visitor restrictions, and forward-looking topics like H5N1 preparedness. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experts and share your insights.
Finally, if you haven’t yet, I encourage you to explore our free course:
Penicillin Allergy Management - Removing Barriers to Optimal Antibiotic Prescribing. It’s open-access—just create a login to enroll—and it’s a great resource to share with your colleagues and professional network.
Thank you for all that you do to support SHEA and the healthcare community. I look forward to the continued progress we’ll make together.
Sincerely,
David J. Weber, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FSHEA, FRSM