NFID Announces Launch of Measles Collaborative and Appointment of Executive Director

Bethesda, MD (July 1, 2026)—The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is pleased to announce the creation of the Measles Collaborative, a new initiative established following the successful Measles Summit convened by NFID in partnership with the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) in May 2026.

The Measles Summit convened 15 US medical societies, public health organizations, and measles subject matter experts to identify high-priority opportunities for coordinated action. The Measles Collaborative translates those priorities into collective action. As of June 25, 2026, with 2,134 confirmed measles cases reported by 39 states and the District of Columbia, the US is poised to surpass last year’s record of 2,288 confirmed cases. Working across 8 dedicated workgroups, the Collaborative aims to strengthen measles prevention, response, and education nationwide through a broad portfolio of planned initiatives and resources. Founding societies will also engage additional partners to support and expand the Collaborative’s work.

The Collaborative is guided by an Executive Steering Committee that includes founder Ruth Lynfield, MD; NFID CEO Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH; Pia Pannaraj, MD, MPH, of the University of California San Diego; and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Patricia (Patsy) A. Stinchfield, PNP, former NFID President.

NFID is also pleased to announce the appointment of Patsy Stinchfield, PNP, as Executive Director of the Measles Collaborative. A nationally recognized advocate for measles prevention, Stinchfield’s commitment to eliminating measles was shaped by caring for children who died from measles early in her nursing career, an experience that has fueled decades of public health advocacy. (Read her story on the NFID website.)

As Executive Director, Stinchfield will lead coordination of the Collaborative’s full slate of initiatives, including development of clinical guidance and educational tools for healthcare professionals, such as testing and care algorithms, public education efforts, outreach to populations vulnerable to misinformation, and public health interventions, such as resource guides for states and post-exposure infection control definitions. These, among other strategies, will build on the momentum generated by the recent Measles Summit. The Collaborative’s ultimate goal is to eliminate this deadly disease in the US. Measles was declared eliminated from the US in 2000, but ongoing outbreaks have threatened that status.

“The Measles Summit demonstrated the extraordinary commitment of healthcare professionals, public health leaders, and professional societies to addressing the growing threat of measles,” said Alvania. “NFID is proud to serve as convener of the Summit and as a founding organizational partner and funder of the Measles Collaborative. By bringing together trusted experts and organizations, we can strengthen prevention efforts, improve response capabilities, and better protect communities across the country.”

“Measles is entirely preventable, yet we continue to see outbreaks that put lives at risk,” said Stinchfield. “I am honored to help lead this effort and work alongside our partners to advance practical solutions that support clinicians, educate the public, address misinformation, and move us closer to the ultimate goal of eliminating measles in the United States.”

About the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

Founded in 1973, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating and engaging the public, communities, and healthcare professionals about infectious diseases across the lifespan. NFID has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and has earned a Platinum transparency seal from Candid/GuideStar. For more information, and to access trusted science-based resources on immunization for both healthcare professionals and the public, visit www.nfid.org.

Contact: Diana Olson at dolson@nfid.org