I am honored to begin my tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). I am deeply grateful for the warm welcome I have received, for the trust of the NFID Board of Directors, and for the commitment of the staff. It is clear that NFID’s strength lies not only in its mission but also in the people who bring that mission to life every day.
I want to recognize Marla Dalton, who led NFID with vision and left the organization on a strong foundation. Thanks to her leadership, and the dedication of NFID staff and volunteers, NFID is widely recognized as a trusted and respected voice in public health. It is humbling and inspiring to build on that legacy.
We are living in a challenging time for science and public health. Infectious diseases continue to disrupt lives and public trust in science is being tested. This is when we most need people to step forward to defend and strengthen what generations have built. This moment, with all its challenges and opportunities, is exactly what energizes me to lead NFID.
NFID has a proud history of living its mission by educating the public and healthcare professionals about infectious diseases across the lifespan. The organization has strengthened vaccine confidence, advanced health equity, provided trusted education, and stood as a clear science-based voice in a noisy world. These accomplishments give me great optimism as we build on this foundation to expand NFID’s reach and impact.
Through our webinars and the Clinical Vaccinology Course, NFID plays a vital role in educating and empowering healthcare professionals to be strong proponents for evidence-based immunization policies and practices. Through our new It’s On Us campaign, NFID and partner organizations emphasize the shared responsibility of the public, healthcare professionals, and communities to help protect against severe respiratory diseases such as flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal disease. Vaccination saves lives–and it’s on all of us to take action.
My commitment as CEO is to ensure that NFID remains steady in its mission, resilient in the face of challenges, and ambitious in seizing new opportunities. We will do this together, in strong partnership with our colleagues, partners, and supporters. I am excited for the work ahead and confident in what we will achieve together to ensure healthier lives for all.
Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH
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