45th Annual Richard B. Brown Infectious Diseases Symposium

May 22, 2026

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Date & Location:  
May 22nd, 2026 
7:30am-2:00pm 
Baystate Health Education Center, 361 Whitney Avenue, Holyoke, MA  

Hybrid course: In-Person and zoom 

Goal:  

The goal of this educational activity is to convey state of the art Infectious Disease information to health care providers in the community that is of practical aid in the management of patients.  As a result of attending this symposium, new knowledge should allow better patient management in the areas covered.  

Provided by: 

Baystate Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Division & Baystate Continuing Interprofessional Education 

Target Audience

This course was designed for physicians (primary care and hospital-based), advanced practitioners, microbiologists, nurses, infection control practitioners, pharmacists, and practitioners in chronic care facilities.

Learning Objectives

After participating in this educational activity, attendees should be able to:

1|Describe key advances in infectious disease management, prevention, and treatment from 1976 to 2026.
2|Evaluate emerging evidence related to antimicrobial, antiviral, HIV, STI, and vaccine-related practices.
3|Apply current guidance to improve diagnosis, treatment selection, prevention strategies, and patient counseling in infectious disease care.
4|Identify strategies to support antimicrobial stewardship, including appropriate screening, prophylaxis, antibiotic allergy evaluation, and delabeling.
5|Recognize diagnostic and clinical management considerations for complex or evolving infectious disease presentations.
6|Describe how interprofessional communication, coordination, and appropriate escalation support safe infectious disease prevention and management.

 

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 5.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credit
    Baystate Health has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 5.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PA’s should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
  • 5.50 ACPE Contact Hours
  • 5.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 5.50 ANCC Contact Hours
  • 5.50 IPCE Credit Hour(s)
Course opens: 
03/18/2026
Course expires: 
06/22/2026
Event starts: 
05/22/2026 - 7:30am EDT
Event ends: 
05/22/2026 - 2:00pm EDT
Add to calendar: 

Time

Activity/Speaker

Learning Objective(s):

7:30am

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:00am

Welcome and Introductions
Armando Paez, MD

 

8:05am

Infectious Diseases: The Past and Future
Richard Brown, MD

  1. Identify 3 antibiotics introduced after 1976 that have impacted infectious disease management.
  2. Identify 3 antibiotics that were available in 1976 but are no longer commonly used or available in 2026.
  3. Compare 2 advances in infectious diseases practice or management that have improved patient care between 1976 and 2026.

8:20am

HIV Update - Long-Acting HAART
Amanda Westlake, MD

This presentation includes discussion of on-demand oral FTC/TDF PrEP (2-1-1 dosing), which is not currently FDA- or CDC-approved. However, this approach is supported by evidence and is recommended by organizations including the World Health Organization and International Antiviral Society–USA

  1. Identify pros and cons of using long-acting ART for treatment of HIV
  2. Identify pros and cons of using long-acting ART for prevention of HIV (PrEP)

9:00am

Childhood immunizations in times of misinformation and mistrust
Cecilia Di Pentima, MD, MPH

  1. Describe the landscape of infant mortality and the context of childhood immunization recommendations
  2. Explain the role of ACIP pediatric vaccine recommendations in the affordability and access to childhood immunizations.
  3. Identify immunization resources available for providers, parents and caregivers

9:40am

Coffee Break and Visit Exhibitors

 10:10am

Impactful ID Literature in the Past Year
Megan Gallagher, MD, MPH

This presentation includes discussion of investigational and/or off-label uses of medications, including omadacycline for the treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus, dalbavancin for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections, and tecovirimat for the treatment of mpox.

  1. Evaluate multiple studies impacting the treatment of bloodstream infections (BSIs)
  2. Discuss the latest data surrounding antiviral treatment for mpox
  3. Describe the challenges and possible futures in NTM clinical trials
  4. Evaluate new trials impacting PrEP for HIV

10:50am

STIs, Doxycycline PEP and Challenges in CDC STI screening guidelines
Kevin Ard, MD, MPH

This presentation includes discussion of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP), which is an off-label use of doxycycline supported by current evidence and clinical guidelines.

  1. Summarize the current evidence on benefits and harms of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP) for STI prevention.
  2. Describe the evidence for and against screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea among men.
  3. Explain how considerations about antimicrobial stewardship pertain to both doxy PEP and STI screening for men

11:30am

Evaluating Antibiotic Allergies for Accurate Assessment and Safe Prescribing
Seth T Housman, PharmD, MPA, BCIDP

  1. Evaluate a reported antibiotic allergy to distinguish between intolerance, side effects, delayed reactions, and immediate hypersensitivities. 
  2. Interpret current guidance related to beta-lactam cross reactivity. 
  3. Risk stratify patients with beta-lactam allergies to determine appropriate challenge or avoidance. 
  4. Identify strategies to address antibiotic allergy delabeling into clinical practice. 

12:10pm

Common Mimics of Skin Infections
Emily Ramasra, MD

  1. Identify common skin infection mimics
  2. Reviewed characteristics of skin infection mimics – Recommend: Describe the clinical characteristics of common skin infection mimics.
  3. Recognize diagnostic clues to help recognize noninfectious mimics of skin infections

12:50pm

Q&A Panel Luncheon: Infection Control in the Outpatient Setting
Moderators: Course Co-Directors
Participants: IC providers
 

  1. Discuss strategies for promptly identifying these patients.
  2. Describe best practices related to isolation protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE).
  3. Identify appropriate individuals and teams to involve in patient management.

2:00pm

  Adjourn

Agenda is subject to change without notice

Baystate Health Education Center
361 Whitney Avenue
Hybrid viz Zoom
Holyoke 01040
+1 (413) 794-0000

Maps & Directions

The Baystate Health Education Center is the primary location for many of Baystate's continuing education, orientation and other Baystate sponsored programs.

Faculty and Planners                                                                                                                                                                  

Richard Brown, MD
Professor Emeritus
Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate

Kevin Ard, MD, MPH *
Physician
Division of Infectious Diseases
Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant​ Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School

M. Cecelia Di Pentima, MD, MPH
Chief, Pediatrics Infectious Diseases
Baystate Medical Center 
Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate

Esteban Del Pilar Morales, MD – Course Co-Director
Attending Physician,
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine
Baystate Medical Center
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate

Ashley Fisher, BSN-RN
Ambulatory Nurse
Division of Infectious Diseases, Baystate Medical Center

Megan Gallagher, MD, MPH
Attending Physician, Division of Infectious Diseases
Infectious Disease Consultant, Hartford Hospital
Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Karen Hogan PA-C
PA Medical Services
Division of Infectious Diseases, Baystate Medical Center

Seth T Housman, PharmD, MPA, BCIDP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Infectious Diseases
Baystate Medical Center
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice   
Western New England University COPHS

Claire Magauran, MD- Course Co-Director
Attending Physician
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine
Baystate Medical Center
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate

Armando Paez, MD *
Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine
Director, Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program
Baystate Medical Center
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate

Emily Ramasra, MD
Infectious Diseases Physician
Division of Infectious Diseases, Baystate Medical Center

Amanda Westlake, MD
Internal Medicine, Baystate Medical Center
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate

 

Faculty Disclosure

Baystate Health Continuing Interprofessional Education follows the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.  The design and content of Baystate Continuing Interprofessional Education (CE) activities support quality improvement in healthcare and provide fair and balanced views of therapeutic options. Any relevant financial relationships are mitigated prior to the educational activity.

*Armando Paez, MD - contracted researcher for Nanobiosym, and Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals.

*Kevin Ard, MD, MPH reports receiving royalties from McGraw-Hill and UpToDate; in-kind research support from Binx Health; and research support to their institution from Gilead Sciences.

None of the other planners or faculty for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. 

Faculty may discuss investigational and/or off-label uses of pharmaceutical products or devices.

Course Director(s)

Armando Paez, MD

has a financial relationship (Other) with Nanobiosym;.
Speaker(s)

Kevin Ard, MD, MPH

has a financial relationship (Other) with Gilead Sciences;.
has a financial relationship (Professional Services) with Bins Health;.


In support of improving patient care, Baystate Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Physicians
Baystate Continuing Interprofessional Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM.  Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses
Baystate Continuing Interprofessional Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.50 contact hour(s).  Nurses should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Physician Assistants
Baystate Health has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credits for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 5.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credit(s). PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Pharmacists
Baystate Health designates this activity for a maximum of 5.50 contact hours (s) for pharmacists. Pharmacists should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

 

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team and learners will receive 5.50 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.

 

Available Credit

  • 5.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credit
    Baystate Health has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 5.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PA’s should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
  • 5.50 ACPE Contact Hours
  • 5.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 5.50 ANCC Contact Hours
  • 5.50 IPCE Credit Hour(s)

If interested in an exhibitor table only, please complete the Exhibitor Letter of Agreement. 

 
Status
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Title
Locked
$0.00Included
45th Annual Richard B. Brown Infectious Diseases Symposium
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Locked
$0.00Included
45th Richard B. Brown Infectious Diseases Symposium - Live (in-person)
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Locked
$0.00Included
45th Richard B. Brown Infectious Diseases Symposium - Livestream (virtual)
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Please login or register to take this course.

 

Please Note: In order for your registration to be considered complete:
  • Each participant must register themselves for the program.
  • Registration must be paid either by credit card or *Baystate Interdepartmental transfer

*If your Baystate department is covering your registration fee, you MUST

  • Notify your Education Coordinator/ Supervisor that you have enrolled in the course.
  • Once an interdepartmental funds transfer form has been received, your registration will be paid and you will have access to the course.

If you have not received confirmation of your paid registration, check to be sure all steps above have been completed.  

In order to receive CREDIT, the evaluation must be completed by:6/22/2026

We appreciate your business and sincerely wish to meet your educational needs.  We understand that the schedule of a busy professional, like yourself, is subject to change.  Therefore, we have included information about our refund/cancellation policies for your convenience below.

Cancellation:
If you must cancel, telephone Baystate Continuing Interprofessional Education at 413-322-4242 and follow your call with a written/email request.  All cancellations will incur a $25.00 fee.  Please note that we cannot refund cancellations received less than two weeks (10 business days) before the program date.

Refund Policy:
Your refund, less a cancellation fee, will be processed within two (2) weeks from the date we receive the written notification.  For credit card refunds, please allow one to two (1-2) billing cycles for the credit to appear on your statement.

Sharing Your Information Through Participant Lists

If you checked "Yes" to sharing your information on the participant list, we only share name, degree, organization, city and state. Checking "Yes" indicates we may share your name with exhibitors from commercial entities (ineligible companies) including pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

Specific Aids or Services:
Please call Baystate Continuing Interprofessional Education at 413-322-4242 if, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you require specific aids or services during your visit to this continuing education program.