For the third year in a row, a member of Internal Medicine has been elected to join the American Clinical and Climatological Association (ACCA). Dr. Dan Diekema, Division Director of Infectious Diseases, was one of this year’s 18 newly elected provisional members, announced at last month’s annual meeting. Inductees represent institutions as wide-ranging and reputable as Johns Hopkins University, the University of Cologne, and UC Davis. Dr. Diekema is a Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and of Pathology. His research focuses on the intersection of epidemiology and hospital-acquired infections, as well as antimicrobial stewardship. Recently, he played a significant role in shaping this institution’s solution to the global incidence of M.chimaera-contaminated heater-cooler units. Discoveries and mitigations here contributed to a coordinated international response containing the threat.
The ACCA has existed since 1884 and was first organized by physicians and scientists to combat tuberculosis. This 250-member-body’s interests have since expanded to include epidemiology, preventive, and environmental medicine, including the impact global climate change has on human health and the spread of disease. Members are chosen, in the ACCA’s words, “on the basis of their leadership, their excellence in their chosen field, their demonstrated high level of integrity and professionalism, and their yearning to nurture a spirit of warmth, diversity, and friendship.” Dr. Diekema is a natural fit to this select group, which already included Drs. Frank Abboud, Paul Rothman, Mike Edmond, Mark Anderson, Peter Densen, Jack Stapleton, and Joe Zabner. Drs. Dale Abel and Barry London, pictured below, were inducted at last month’s annual meeting.
