Edward H. Kass Lecture

The IDWeek 2021 Edward H. Kass Lecture was given by Patricia Whitley-Williams, MD, FAAP, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of North Carolina. Her lecture, titled “The Epidemic within the COVID-19 Pandemic,” focuses on structural racism and how health disparities are reflected in hospitalizations, numbers of COVID-19 cases, deaths and number vaccinated.

BIO

Patricia Whitley-Williams, MD, FAAP

Division Director of Allergy , Immunology and Infectious Disease, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

The Epidemic within the COVID-19 Pandemic

Patricia N. Whitley-Williams, M.D. is Professor of Pediatrics, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases and Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS). A native of Boston, she received a B.S. degree in biology from Simmons College in Boston and an M.D. degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati and fellowship training in pediatric infectious diseases at Boston City Hospital/Boston University School of Medicine.

She served on the faculty of Boston University School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia before joining the faculty at Rutgers RWJMS (formerly known as the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ). She is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She has published articles and several book chapters, served on national grant review committees, is the recipient of many awards, and has mentored many young pediatricians, residents and medical students.

She is a member of the Infectious Disease Society of America, the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Medical Association. She serves on national committees including, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (President), the National Medical Association’s liaison member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, member of the Governance Review Task Force of the National Board of Medical Examiners, a member of the NMA’s COVID-19 Task Force, and a member of NJ Department of Health’s COVID-19 Professional Advisory Committee. She is an active member of the Central Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Her research interests include HIV/AIDS in women and children as well as childhood and adolescent immunizations.

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