Medical students from Wayne State University presented their community Vaccine Ambassadors Program at IDWeek 2022 in Washington, D.C., showcasing an initiative that trains high school students to promote immunizations across Detroit.
Three medical students traveled to the national meeting to share how their campus interest group connects student doctors with local youth outreach. The invitation brought the student-led public health effort to a national audience of specialists, highlighting a local grant-funded model designed to build vaccine confidence from the ground up.
Wayne State Students Bring Detroit Vaccine Initiative to National Stage
The Infectious Diseases Interest Group at the Wayne State University School of Medicine sent Class of 2026 candidates Soham Desai, Sofia Howson, and Jennifer Schmidt to present their work. The Infectious Diseases Society of America Foundation invited the trio to Washington, D.C., to feature the Vaccine Ambassadors Program during the organization’s annual conference.
The program itself took root in June under the guidance of Teena Chopra, M.D., M.P.H., a professor of medicine and the faculty advisor for the student interest group. Supported by a $60,000 grant from the Detroit Medical Center Foundation, the two-year initiative employs high school students during the summer months, training them to serve as peer educators and advocates for vaccination in their communities.
When receiving the invite, I was instantly ecstatic.
Jennifer Schmidt, Class of 2026 M.D. candidate, via Wayne
Before arriving at the conference, the student presenters participated in a mentorship pairing through the national society that linked them with practicing physicians. That pairing extended into the meeting schedule through dedicated networking events and luncheons.
Clinical Insights and Parallel HIV Treatment Data at IDWeek
While the Wayne State representatives shared community outreach strategies, the broader conference also featured late-breaking clinical data from major trials. Researchers presented findings from a double-blind phase 3 trial evaluating treatment options for adults with HIV-1 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05705349).
The study compared a novel two-drug antiretroviral regimen consisting of doravirine and islatravir against a standard three-drug combination of bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide. According to data presented at the meeting, both regimens yielded similar improvements in self-reported health status and comparable reductions in bothersome symptoms among previously untreated adults.
Connecting Classroom Learning with National Practice
For the Wayne State medical candidates, attending specialized sessions and case studies provided an immediate bridge between their university curriculum and active clinical practice. The joint conference brought together professional bodies including the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the HIV Medical Association, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.
While attending the various case studies at IDWeek, I was able to follow what the physicians were saying, and it was incredibly rewarding knowing that I was able to apply the knowledge I acquired at the School of Medicine.
Soham Desai, Class of 2026 M.D. candidate, via Wayne
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to participate and present at ID Week,
Sofia Howson, Class of 2026 M.D. candidate, via Wayne