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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.

 

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Awardee

  • Marlene L. Durand, MD, FIDSA

    Marlene L. Durand, MD, FIDSA, is a gifted clinician and teacher with unique expertise in infections of the eyes, ears, nose and throat in addition to deep knowledge in general ID. She is renowned for generously sharing her time and wisdom with patients, colleagues and trainees.  

Past Watanakunakorn Clinician Award winners 

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