As 2019 draws to a close, we would like to highlight some of the many successes the society achieved and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who made them a reality.

This year’s ID Fellowship Match brought similar results when compared with last year. While we are pleased that the Match did not experience sharp declines in applicants or positions filled, we should also recognize that maintaining the status quo is insufficient to meet the ever evolving patient and public health need for ID physicians.

Allocations included in the federal spending bill passed last week by Congress will strengthen public health and research efforts and will provide critical support for important goals. However, IDSA is concerned that the legislation in its final form also brings inadequate responses to current and urgent challenges with the potential for long-term and costly consequences.

The most recent email with the ballot was sent on Monday, Dec. 16 to eligible members who have not yet voted. Please take a moment to check your inbox and cast your vote using the link provided in that email.

IDSA is committed to integrating the principles of inclusion, diversity, access, and equity throughout our work and community, and is excited to open a call for volunteers for the IDA&E Task Force to further integration efforts into 2020.

Legislation recently passed by the House of Representatives, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, introduces critically needed and significant steps to reduce costs and improve access to life-saving therapies for conditions including HIV and hepatitis C. Importantly, the legislation also brings essential resources to combat antibiotic resistance, find and develop new infection fighting drugs and bring them to market.

The Food and Drug Administration recently launched CURE ID, an online repository for clinical cases in which existing drugs have been used in new ways to treat infectious diseases lacking adequate approved treatments.

It’s not too late to send your end of year gift to the IDSA Foundation. All gifts are matched by IDSA at 100% until Dec. 31.