CHOC Pediatric Infectious Disease Physicians Earn Global Distinction for Excellence

The Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), the world’s largest organization dedicated to the treatment, control and eradication of infectious diseases affecting children, has honored two CHOC physicians,Dr. Antonio Arrieta and Dr Jasjit Singh, with the designation of PIDS fellows.  Only 12 clinicians from around the world received this distinction.

The designation recognizes clinicians who have achieved professional excellence and provided significant service to the profession.

“PIDS fellows are national and international leaders and experts in pediatric infectious diseases. Their expertise touches the lives of children not only on those larger stages, but also at the local level in their hospitals, clinics, research labs, institutions, and communities,” said PIDS President Kristina A. Bryant, MD, FPIDS. “Fellowship in PIDS is our way of recognizing these accomplished physicians, researchers, and scientists for their important contributions to our field.”

Applicants for PIDS fellowship must be nominated by their peers and meet specified criteria, including continuing identification with the field of pediatric infectious diseases, national or local recognition, and publication of their work in strong biomedical journals. Nominees are reviewed and elected by the PIDS Board of Directors. Fellows of PIDS work in many different settings, including clinical practice, teaching, research, public health, and healthcare administration.

Both Dr. Arrieta, who serves as CHOC’s medical director, infectious disease, and Dr. Singh, who is CHOC’s medical director, infection prevention and epidemiology, are national experts in pediatric infectious diseases and prolific authors, helping advance the body of knowledge within their field.  Dr. Arrieta’s main area of research centers on investigating invasive fungal infections and new antifungal agents in immune-compromised hosts. He is also investigating immune response to infections in premature infants. Dr. Singh’s main interests are the prevention of infection and vaccines, international health, and primary immunodeficiency conditions in children.

“Dr. Arrieta and Dr. Singh are superb clinicians, teachers and researchers who are highly regarded defenders of childhood,” said Dr. James Cappon, interim chief medical officer and vice president, quality and patient safety officer, CHOC. “They have helped lead our organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as serving advisory roles in the community, as well as nationally and across the globe.  Their contributions truly highlight their specialty’s excellence and critical impact on pediatric care.”