IDSA Foundation Honors Hispanics in ID With Dedication of Hispanics in ID Executive Conference Room
The IDSA Foundation recently dedicated its’ Hispanics in ID Executive Conference Room, which celebrates the achievements of current and former Hispanic trailblazers in the infectious diseases profession, while raising critical funds to support the next generation of Hispanics in the field. Each year, the IDSA Foundation honors an individual who demonstrated a deep commitment to mentorship and engagement of Hispanic medical students throughout their career. The 2022-2023 honoree is Dr. Laila Woc-Colburn, an associate professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine.
“Recent census data suggest that about 16% of the U.S. population is Hispanic, and that number is growing rapidly. Yet out of the more than 90,000 students in U.S. medical schools, only 6.6% are Latinx or Hispanic,” said Carlos del Rio, MD, FIDSA, himself a Hispanic and the current president of IDSA and interim dean at Emory School of Medicine. “The number of Hispanic physicians and health care providers is not growing as fast as the Hispanic population in the U.S. There’s an important role for us to inspire the next generation and to attract more Hispanics into medicine, and specially into infectious diseases.”
2022-2023 honoree, Dr. Woc-Colburn began her career at Baylor College of Medicine. Her time at Baylor was marked by numerous clinical and teaching accolades, recognizing her exceptional skills and dedication. Dr. Woc-Colburn is currently in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory University School of Medicine overseeing the Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) Clinic and the Orthopedics-Infectious Diseases. At Emory University, Dr. Woc-Colburn has not only continued to excel in her clinical and academic roles but has also maintained her commitment to mentorship and support for Latinos in medicine. Recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion in infectious diseases she has actively worked to empower and guide aspiring Latino medical professionals in both the United States and Latin America. She has established connections and collaborations with medical institutions and organizations in Latin America, fostering an international network of support for aspiring Hispanics in infectious diseases.
“This recognition is a great step forward in promoting diversity and inclusion within the healthcare field of ID. By recognizing and celebrating the diverse talent among the Hispanic community, it encourages others to pursue these goals and achieve greater success. As a Latina hope to be a role model and inspiration for the next generation #HispanicsInID”
Laila Woc-Colburn, MD, FIDSA, Paul Auwaerter, MD, MBA, FIDSA, Lucy Tompkins, MD, PhD, FIDSA, and George Counts, MD, FIDSA
About the IDSA Foundation
Founded in 2001, the IDSA Foundation is the charitable arm of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. The Foundation is committed to providing career development opportunities, supporting education and funding groundbreaking research in the field of infectious diseases. Through its work, the Foundation invests in the next generation of diverse ID leaders and promotes advancements in patient care. For more information, visit www.idsafoundation.org