Section of Infectious Diseases

The Infectious Disease section continues to take a leadership role in the US response to the novel coronavirus pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2. Dr. Hana El Sahly, Dr. Robert Atmar, and Dr. Jennifer Whitaker led or participated in numerous studies of drugs and vaccines to combat the pandemic. The Vaccine Research Center’s leader, Dr. Hana El Sahly, was co-principal Investigator for the phase 3 study of the Moderna mRNA 1273 vaccine efficacy. Our faculty also served as leaders in the Incident Command Centers and sub-committees and in infection control at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Ben Taub Hospital and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in response to the pandemic and the Mpox outbreak in 2022. 

The Section continues to contribute to national practice guidelines and national infectious diseases organizations, with members on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the Department of Health and Human Services Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents; members on NIH review panels; and in leadership committees of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. The Section’s faculty completed hundreds of interviews with local and national media to help keep the general public informed on the COVID-19 and Monkeypox outbreaks. 

Clinical highlights include participating in the “long COVID” multi-disciplinary services at Baylor Medicine and MEDVAMC, in multi-disciplinary transplant infectious diseases services at BSLMC, and participating in a new mycobacteria clinic for Harris Health System. 

The section initiated a new “Tropical and Global Medicine” track for fellows for the 2022-2023 academic year in collaboration with the National School of Tropical Medicine at BCM. The section’s faculty continue to have leadership roles in undergraduate and graduate medical education for the Department of Medicine as well as Baylor College of Medicine’s School of Medicine and National School of Tropical Medicine. 

The Infectious Diseases faculty were authors on over 60 peer-reviewed publications with impact factors >4, numerous book chapters 2022, and the primary members of the Section had over $3,776,046 in new funding during 2023.

The Infectious Diseases Fellowship Training Program offers comprehensive clinical training and diverse research opportunities in the largest medical center in the world.

The section’s T32 Research Training in Infection and Immunity program offers three slots for fellows interested in advanced training in research and has an excellent track record in producing new research faculty.

• The Section of Infectious Diseases leads major programs such as the BCM AIDS Education Training Center, which delivers HIV education to clinicians across Texas.
• Section faculty direct both the Vaccine Research Center and the Texas Developmental Center for AIDS Research, with new NIH grants awarded to advance critical infectious disease research.
• Clinical services expand with the opening of a new outpatient infusion center at BSLMC and the integration of transplant-related infectious disease clinics at the Transplant Center.
• Faculty earn national recognition and leadership roles across major societies, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
• The fellowship program recently introduced a new track in Systems-Based Practice, joining existing options in Infection Prevention, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Quality Improvement and Leadership, Tropical Medicine and Global Health, including a new international research elective in Peru.
• Faculty receive numerous awards for their impact across missions, including mentorship, patient care, education, and leadership, such as the Distinguished Service Award, Outstanding Physician-PA Partnership Award, Norton Rose Fulbright Faculty Excellence Awards and multiple Top Doctor recognitions.