Named to honor the late past-president Walter E. Stamm, MD, FIDSA, this award was created to recognize individuals who have served as exemplary mentors and is presented to an IDSA member or fellow who has been exceptional in guiding professional growth of infectious diseases professionals.
2021 Winner: Michael Wessels, MD, FIDSA
Michael Wessels, MD, FIDSA, a skilled mentor to countless trainees, faculty and others, is the recipient of IDSA’s 2021 Walter E. Stamm Mentor Award. Named to honor the memory of a former IDSA president who was renowned for nurturing the careers of others, this award recognizes individuals who have served as exemplary mentors and who have been exceptional in guiding the professional growth of infectious diseases professionals.
The John F. Enders Professor of Pediatrics and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Wessels served as chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Boston Children’s Hospital for 18 years, from 2000 to 2018, where he continues to serve as a senior physician. During his time as chief, he guided hundreds of faculty, fellows and students to academic success, serving as a strong supporter of both the clinical and basic science branches of the division. He ensured that he connected personally with all of the faculty and fellows and that he was familiar with their research projects, providing encouragement as well as intellectual and practical advice.
Those Dr. Wessels has mentored praise his ability to offer guidance supporting their clinical, research and professional development at various stages of their careers. As a principal investigator researching the pathogenesis of streptococcal pathogens, he has directly trained 39 faculty and fellows, the majority of whom have continued to conduct research or hold clinical positions in infectious diseases. Under his mentorship, these trainees have contributed to more than 100 high-impact manuscripts.
All who have worked with Dr. Wessels have benefitted from his understanding of streptococcal pathogenesis and his willingness to share his time and knowledge. Deeply respected for his mentorship, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the professional development of others. IDSA is delighted to recognize him with the 2021 Walter E. Stamm Mentor Award.
Past Walter E. Stamm Mentor Award Winners
| 2020 | George W. Counts, MD, FIDSA |
| 2019 | David L. Thomas, MD, MPH, FIDSA |
| 2018 | Carol A. Kauffman, MD, FIDSA, FSHEA |
| 2017 | Stephen B. Calderwood, MD, FIDSA |
| 2016 | Steve M. Holland, MD |
| 2015 | David R. Snydman, MD, FIDSA |
| 2014 | G. Ralph Corey, MD, FIDSA |
| 2013 | Lucy Tompkins, MD, PhD |
| 2012 | Robert A. Weinstein, MD, FIDSA |
| 2011 | Jane E. Koehler, MA, MD and William Schaffner, MD, FIDSA |
| 2010 | Jack S. Remington, MD, FACP, FRCP, FIDSA |
| 2009 | Richard L. Guerrant, MD, FIDSA |
| 2008 | Gerald Medoff, MD, FIDSA |
| 2007 | Stanley Falkow, PhD, FIDSA and Neal H. Steigbigel, MD, FIDSA |
| 2006 | Kathryn Edwards, MD, FIDSA |
| 2005 | Donald Kaye, MD |
| 2004 | Gene H. Stollerman, MD |
| 2003 | George H. McCracken, Jr., MD |
| 2002 | Leon G. Smith, MD |
| 2001 | Martin S. Hirsch, MD |