Division Overview
The Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine diagnoses and treats children with a wide variety of infections. Baylor pediatricians specializing in infectious diseases see patients with conditions ranging from common diseases to life-threatening infections at the three Texas Children's Hospital affiliated campuses. We have two inpatient teams plus a separate transplant infectious disease team at the Texas Medical Center Campus and one full time faculty member each at the West Campus and Woodlands hospitals. We also have outpatient infectious disease clinics (including TB, Transplant ID, CMV and Zika Clinics at the Medical Center Campus) at each facility.
Our faculty also conduct clinical and basic science research to better understand the pathophysiology of pediatric infectious diseases, evaluate new diagnostics/therapeutics, and to identify interventions to prevent disease.
The post-graduate fellowship training program in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Baylor is one component of the largest pediatric department in the United States. We sponsor an ACGME-certified fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Diseases and elective rotations for pediatric residents and medical students.
Our History
The Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases was established in 1967 by Dr. Martha Yow. Her leadership and emphasis on patient care, teaching and research established the foundation for the nationally recognized division that exists today. In 1982, Dr. Carol J. Baker was the division chief through 2007, at which time Dr. Sheldon L. Kaplan became the division chief through 2023. In August 2023, Dr. Debra L. Palazzi became the division chief. In 2017, Edward O. Mason, Ph.D. was honored after 45 years as the director of the Infectious Diseases Laboratory at Texas Children's Hospital by having the laboratory renamed the Edward O. Mason Pediatric Infectious Diseases Laboratory.
Over the years, the program has developed into one that trains a large number of pediatric infectious diseases physicians and exemplifies a high standard of excellence in patient care, commitment to teaching, and hypothesis-driven research. Since 1978, more than 90 physicians have been trained in Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Many former Baylor Pediatric Infectious Diseases fellows now hold academic positions in more than 30 institutions throughout the United States and several other countries.
Throughout the history of the division, and currently, faculty have served in leadership positions of pediatric and infectious diseases professional societies as well as in advisory positions for the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration.
Awards & Recognitions
Dr. Sheldon L. Kaplan received the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Infectious Diseases 2023 Award for Lifetime Contribution to Infectious Diseases Education. This award is given annually to a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP) who has made outstanding contributions to education in infectious diseases. Dr. Kaplan’s contributions are indicative of a substantial long-term dedication to the highest ideals of education.
Dr. Debra Palazzi, professor of pediatrics and division chief of pediatric infectious diseases, was elected president-elect of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) during IDWeek 2023 in Boston. PIDS is the largest organization of professionals dedicated to the treatment, control and eradication of infectious diseases affecting children.
The Young Investigator Award is presented to a physician who has completed pediatric infectious diseases fellowship training seven years or less from the award date and whose independent and productive research during and after fellowship represents outstanding contributions in pediatric infectious diseases. Dr. Weatherhead's research focuses on the interaction between ascariasis and the host immune response. Her research to date has led to the development of a mouse model of Ascaris-induced allergic airway disease and Ascaris-induced chronic lung disease and has led to a significant knowledge shift in the fields of tropical medicine and parasitology.
Fellowship Program
View information and apply for our Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship.
Vaccine Trials
Have you wanted to participate in clinical studies yet not known how to find a contact number? View information and volunteer opportunities in vaccine studies.
