File, Jr. named IDSA president

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) this week named Dr. Thomas File, Jr. as its newest president, along with five new board members.

File intends to lead the organization in a fight against antimicrobial resistance, developing relationships with state and regional infectious disease societies and in advocating for increased awareness of the value of infectious disease physicians to achieve fair compensation and draw in new blood to the field. Additionally, he hopes to expand IDSA’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Centers of Excellence program to provide greater recognition for those institutions that have met high standards in the countering antimicrobial resistance.

“Infectious diseases touch the lives of every individual every day, whether they are aware of it or not,” File said. “From containing and preventing measles outbreaks to fighting antimicrobial resistance, the role of the infectious diseases professional has never been more important. I look forward to leading the Society of the most astute and committed physicians and scientists in the field.”

File, who also serves as chair of the Infectious Disease Division and Co-Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at Summa Health in Akron, Ohio, and as professor of medicine, master teacher and chair of the Infectious Disease Section of Northeast Ohio Medical University, will not be alone in his new duties.

Beyond the six current members of the Board, he will also be joined by five new members: Drs. Wendy Armstrong, Angela Caliendo, Kim Hanson, John Lynch III, and Daniel McQuillen.