Walter E. Stamm Mentor Award

Named to honor the late Walter E. Stamm, MD, FIDSA, a past IDSA president, this award recognizes individuals who have served as exemplary mentors. It is presented to an IDSA member or fellow who has been exceptional in guiding the professional growth of infectious diseases professionals.

Dr. Stamm (1945-2009) was an esteemed American physician and researcher known not only for his groundbreaking work in infectious diseases and urology but also for his exceptional mentorship in the field. Throughout his career, Dr. Stamm guided and inspired numerous young scientists and medical professionals, imparting his knowledge and fostering their growth. His mentorship has had a profound and lasting impact, shaping the next generation of researchers and clinicians dedicated to advancing health care and combating infectious diseases.

2026 Walter E. Stamm Mentor Awardee

Anna Wald, MD, MPH, FIDSA 

Throughout a phenomenal career as a physician-scientist, Anna Wald, MD, MPH, FIDSA, has been an inspirational mentor to a diverse array of individuals. Her ability to serve as an effective administrator, communicator and advisor to all levels of faculty mimics the skill set of Walter E. Stamm. 

Dr. Wald has focused her research on herpes simplex virus infection, with an emphasis on the natural history of this infection and the development of novel antivirals and candidate vaccines. For many years, she directed the University of Washington Virology Research Clinic. Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS CoV-2 studies have become an important component of Dr. Wald’s research portfolio, and her research clinic was selected to join the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium as a Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit. 

Dr. Wald headed the Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine from 2017 to 2026, stepping away from this administrative role this past summer. 

While conducting large-scale efforts related to HSV infections, Dr. Wald has continually prioritized mentoring, having taken over leadership of the hugely impactful T32 National Institutes of Health training grant started by King Holmes, MD, PhD, FIDSA, in the 1980s and now nearing its 50th year. 

Dr. Wald has leveraged her training skills to help advance the careers of undergraduates, predoctoral students, fellows, faculty and administrative staff, covering the fields of medicine, epidemiology and public health. Under Dr. Wald’s direction, UW’s Infectious Disease Division has flourished. She exhibits a sense of calm and optimism, demonstrating leadership qualities that are essential for continuing growth of the ID field. 

Possessing a unique ability to put mentees at ease, Dr. Wald has established diverse research teams of physicians, biostatisticians, epidemiologists, behavioral and implementation scientists, and ethicists to welcome trainees with diverse backgrounds into the research community. She has worked both nationally and internationally, including teaching manuscript and grant workshops for trainees in both Nairobi and Uganda annually for more than 15 years. 

A member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s STD Guidelines Committee since 1997, Dr. Wald led the HSV treatment guidelines discussions. She was awarded the prestigious K24 mentor award grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Dr. Wald has a joint appointment with the Department of Epidemiology, the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, and the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. She cares for patients at Harborview Medical Center and at Fred Hutch Cancer Center.

In recognition of her extraordinary dedication to mentoring and developing future leaders in infectious diseases, IDSA is proud to recognize Dr. Wald with the 2026 Walter E. Stamm Mentor Award.