Ronald Lee Nichols, MD, assumed the position of president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) at the NFID annual Board of Director's meeting held this past May in Bethesda, MD. He succeeds Herbert L. DuPont, MD, who served as NFID president from 1997 to 1999.

Dr. Nichols is William Henderson Professor of Surgery and professor of microbiology and immunology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA. Dr. Nichols has served at the Tulane University School of Medicine since 1977. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Dr. Nichols did his internship and residency at the University of Illinois Research and Education Hospital, Chicago. He has also served in the US Army Reserve. An NFID director since 1988, Dr. Nichols served as an NFID president-elect for the past two years.

The Board of Directors elected W. Michael Scheld, MD, as vice president. Dr. Scheld is professor of medicine and neurosurgery, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center. Dr. Scheld is well recognized for his original scientific research and scholarly activities within the field of infectious diseases. He has been on the faculty of the University of Virginia since 1979, and has served on the NFID Board of Directors since 1996. Dr. Scheld has served on the NFID's Continuing Medical Education, Awards, and Nominating Committees. He will assume the position of vice president from Susan J. Rehm, MD.

Dr. Rhem, who was elected vice president in 1997, will become NFID's new president-elect. Dr. Rehm is associate professor of medicine in the Department of Infectious Diseases, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation where she has practiced since 1983. Since 1993, Dr. Rehm has served as an elected member of the Foundationžs Board of Governors. An NFID director since 1988, she has served as Vice President and as chair of the NFID Awards and Nominating Committees.