‘My only regret is I cannot do it again’: Clinicians explain why they chose ID
We continue to be captivated by the stories Infectious Disease clinicians, researchers and experts tell in our “Hooked on ID” series.
Below are 12 submissions that we published in 2022. To read every submission we have published in the last 4 years, visit the "Hooked on ID" resource center at Healio.com.
You can tell us your story by emailing infectiousdisease@healio.com with the subject line “Hooked on ID.” We look forward to hearing from you.
Cornelius (Neil) J. Clancy, MD
This is without a doubt the best time to enter our field. Even as a student or trainee, you can do work now that makes an immediate impact, improves people’s lives and changes practice or health care delivery in ways that could not be imagined even 10 years ago. My only regret is I cannot do it again. Read more.
Amit M. Sharma, MD, MPH
In many ways, infectious disease is all about common sense. One must take a complete history, perform a detailed physical examination and deduce the ailment. Read more.
Ayesha Appa, MD
As a prior history major, I was drawn to infectious diseases by the patient stories, by the high value that the field placed on patients’ narratives and social contexts. Read more.
David H. Priest, MD, MPH, FIDSA
The wonderful thing about infectious disease medicine is how broad it is. Any part of the body can become infected. The terrible thing about infectious disease medicine is how broad it is. It seems vast and complicated. Read more.
Kelly M. Percival, PharmD, BCPS AQ-ID
“Why is the patient receiving levofloxacin?” The fact that I found myself always asking this question first when working up my patients is what started me on my journey into infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship. Read more.
Rehan Syed, MD, MSc
I am now using skills initially developed while learning econometrics to analyze whole-genome sequencing data in our research lab. I would say it has come full circle, but the beauty of ID is that I never felt I had to leave anything behind. Read more.
Christine Thomas, DO
With the knowledge of how to minimize sickness and death from infectious diseases, I can improve the lives of people and entire communities. Read more.
Susan Kline, MD, MPH
I first became interested in the medical field while dissecting a frog in my junior high biology class. Read more.
Angela Hewlett, MD, MS
I was a college student at University of Texas in the mid-90s when the book The Hot Zone by Richard Preston was released. Read more.
David Boulware, MD, MPH
While performing a research study on long-distance backpackers as a medical student, I was most interested in the world of infectious diseases. Read more.
Beth Thielen, MD, PhD
When I was in high school, I had an opportunity to shadow the medical field through the Girl Scouts. This led to me volunteering at a hospital during undergrad. Read more.
Jill Foster, MD
I just love the way that work begins to feel like a puzzle or logic problem as I search for the answers to conclude a diagnosis. People come in with various histories and exposures, and I get to put the pieces together. Read more.