meetID – mentored, engaging, educational and trainee-focused Pediatric ID Program

The Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) is proud to introduce meetID. This program intends to acquaint premedical/medical students and residents with pediatric ID through a program that is mentored, engaging, educational, and trainee focused.

The meetID program provides a broad overview of pediatric infectious diseases (PID), career exploration in PID, support and resources needed to excel in science and medicine, and an opportunity to network with other trainees, faculty, and PIDS leadership. Additionally, trainees will have an opportunity to re-engage virtually throughout the year with various PID leaders, who will serve as mentors that can provide career guidance and support.

Each cohort will draw from residents, medical students, and premedical students. Diversity is welcome, including underrepresented in medicine (UIM), geographic location, institution size and first-generation college students.

meetID Participants

• Learn about pediatric infectious diseases as a specialty
• Discover the contributions pediatric infectious diseases bring to the healthcare system
• Explore the wide array of career paths and opportunities in the field
• Assess training paths available to successful completion of pediatric infectious diseases fellowship training
• Attend and participate in one of three scientific meetings that PIDS co-sponsors:
  • St. Jude/PIDS Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Conference
  • Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS)
  • IDWeek

Applications for St. Jude/PIDS are now open. Deadlines and materials can be found below.

Awardees Receive

• Complimentary registration to the respective conference
• Stipend to be used for:
  • Travel (plane, train, auto)
  • Hotel
  • Incidental expenses

Application Material

Applications are to be submitted as a single PDF using the application portal.

• Cover letter describing interest in the program
  • Should include name, current stage of training, rationale for applying for the program, and current career aspirations
  • Information that illustrates how the candidate would contribute to a unique perspective and inclusive excellence to the program
    • Perspective and inclusivity is multi-pronged, intersectional and may include, but is not limited to:
      • Members of minoritized racial/ethnic groups that are underrepresented in health professions
      • Gender identity
      • Persons with disabilities
      • Former foster youth
      • Members of the LGBTQ+ community
      • Immigrants
      • Refugees
      • Adult/non-traditional learners (including veterans)
      • First-generation college students
      • Geography (urban, rural, remote, etc.)
      • International Medical Graduate (IMG)
    • Description of commitment to serving underrepresented communities and/or addressing health disparities, which may refer to:
      • Volunteer work
      • Leadership
      • Scholarly activities or research
      • Advocacy
• Curriculum vitae

Submission Deadlines

• St. Jude/PIDS – December 2, 2024
• PAS – Due to travel cost outweighing the financial support of the program, there will be no meetID opportunity for PAS this year
• IDWeek – TBD

Questions related to meetID or application inquiries should be directed to pids@idsociety.org.

TESTIMONIALS

“The meetID experience was truly transformative. I was able to attend talks on a wide variety of topics, ranging from the impact of climate change on infectious diseases in the Arctic to a discussion of measuring social determinants of health to improved antimicrobial stewardship techniques. I learned about the wide variety of career paths within infectious diseases and the greater field of medicine. However, the most rewarding experience was the boundless passion the physicians I met from all over the world had for their work, experiencing the sincerity and compassion they showed me as a trainee. Everyone was excited by my interest in the field. I felt so welcomed and moved. The meetID program confirmed how much I want to become a doctor and join the wonderful world of pediatric infectious disease.” – Alex Vasilakopoulos (IDWeek 2024)

“The meetID program was invaluable to my ID journey. I was able to meet and connect with incredible PIDS members during a great [St. Jude/PIDS] conference. It also provided me the opportunity to meet other students and residents interested in pediatric ID and to talk with them about their careers in medicine and this program. The entire experience – the lectures, the networking, and having my meetID “buddy” be another Latina pediatric ID doctor – proved essential and helped inform my decision to apply for my own pediatric ID fellowship outside my home country. I’m so grateful for the really welcoming atmosphere everyone created for us to be part of the PIDS family. This program has enhanced my dream of going into pediatric infectious diseases.” – Lindsay A. Concha Mora (St. Jude/PIDS 2024)

“Meeting a variety of potential mentors and departments at the Boston ID Party in an informal setting, and hearing from key members of the field such as Dr. Chandy John who gave the Caroline B. Hall lectureship…allowed me to learn about an assortment of different programs and departments at a synergistic time point during the residency application cycle. It was clear that PIDS is committed to building a workforce and community. The program has reinforced my desire to pursue a career in infectious diseases, and I hope to give back to the community that has supported my career journey so far.” – Jose Rodrigues (IDWeek 2023)

“meetID was a platform for me to connect with the broader Pediatrics Infectious Diseases community beyond my usual institutional boundaries. The event helped me engage with representatives from Pediatrics Infectious Diseases fellowship programs, gaining valuable insights into their training philosophies and establishing connections that may shape my future career.” – Alaric D’Souza (IDWeek 2023)