Watanakunakorn Clinician Award
Named to honor the memory of Chatrchai Watanakunakorn, MD, this award is given annually to an IDSA member or fellow in recognition of outstanding achievement in the clinical practice of infectious diseases.
Winners have spent most of their career working predominantly in direct clinical care. The recipient must be in clinical practice and exhibit excellence in one or more of the following areas: clinical care, clinical research, patient or community education, compassion, patient advocacy, general community service and service to a national or state infectious diseases society. Local recognition in medical journals, newspapers or magazines will also be taken into consideration.
Dr. Watanakunakorn (1935-2001) was a prominent Thai-American infectious disease specialist who has made significant contributions to the field of medicine. His research and expertise focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of various infectious diseases, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Dr. Watanakunakorn’s work has greatly influenced clinical practice and patient care, earning him recognition and admiration within the medical community.
2026 Watanakunakorn Clinician Awardee
John C. Christenson, MD, FIDSA
John C. Christenson, MD, FIDSA, a clinician-educator and professor emeritus at the
Indiana University School of Medicine Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, has had a distinguished track record of teaching and mentorship throughout a 38-year career as a pediatric infectious diseases clinician. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Christenson established the pediatric infectious diseases fellowship at Riley Hospital for Children in 2016 and, as its founding fellowship director, laid the foundation for training future leaders in the field.
A clinician with a reputation for selflessness and generosity who cares deeply about patients and families, Dr. Christenson serves as a role model providing optimal clinical care, frequently teaching by example. He is diligent in his early morning reviews of patients’ electronic medical records. His detailed preparation, combined with his experience and extensive reading, translates into highly efficient rounds, where he spends quality time with each patient while simultaneously providing in-depth teaching.
An internationally known expert in travel medicine, histoplasmosis and infection prevention, Dr. Christenson has inspired a new generation of learners to pursue these avenues. He has been a leader and role model in directing the statewide pediatrics
clerkship for 360 medical students annually across nine IUSM campuses. He is a highly celebrated and requested attending for pediatrics residents on the ID rotation and bestows wisdom and excitement with each consultation, influencing many to pursue ID training.
Dr. Christenson is genuinely fascinated with infectious diseases and microbiology, and this great enthusiasm resonates with his trainees.
His professional expertise is also on display in his role as section team lead for histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Panel on the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Children With and Exposed to HIV.
He has been a faculty advisor for over 21 fellows and has served as the statewide pediatric clerkship director at IUSM for nine years. He has written 52 book chapters in highly regarded textbooks and has been honored with several teaching awards at both Riley and IUSM.
Past Watanakunakorn Clinician Award winners
2025: Marlene L. Durand, MD, FIDSA
2024: J. Martin Rodriguez, MD, FIDSA, FACP
2023: Karen C. Bloch, MPH, MD, FIDSA, and
Richard C. Prokesch, MD, FIDSA
2022: Robin Dretler, MD, FIDSA, and
Patty Wright, MD, FIDSA
2021: Steven W. Parker, MD, FIDSA
2020: Ronald G. Nahass, MD, MHCM, FIDSA
2019: Virginia D. Banks, MD, MBA, FIDSA
2018: Barry J. Hartman, MD, FIDSA
2017: Douglas R. Osmon, MD, MPH, FIDSA
2016: Wilbert H. Mason, MD, MPH, FIDSA
2015: James Horton, MD, FIDSA
2014: Eliot W. Godofsky, MD
2013: Johan S. Bakken, MD, PhD, and
Thomas M. File Jr., MD, MSc
2012: David N. Gilbert, MD, FIDSA
2011: Stan Deresinski, MD, FIDSA
2010: Marvin J. Tenenbaum, MD, FIDSA
2009: Lawrence J. Eron, MD, FIDSA
2008: Michael L. Butera, MD
2007: Timothy T. Kuberski, MD, FIDSA
2006: Barbara H. Wade, MD, FIDSA
2005: James S. Tan, MD
2004: Donald M. Poretz, MD
2003: Steven Jon Berman, MD, FACP, and
Richard N. Olans, MD
2002: William A. Agger, MD
2001: H. Gunner Deery, MD, and
Peter T. Frame, MD
2000: Martin C. McHenry, MD, MS, and
Chatrchai Watanakunakorn, MD
1999: Gonzalo Ballon-Landa, MD, and
Thomas G. Slama, MD
1998: David S. McKinsey, MD, and
Daniel J. Sexton, MD
1997: Ramon E. Moncada, MD
1996: George Atkinson Pankey, MD, and
Alan D. Tice, MD
1995: Ellie J.C. Goldstein, MD
1994: George Thornton, MD
1993: Edward Septimus, MD