Sandra Harwood, CMP
Vice President, Meetings & Education/IDWeek Meeting Secretariat
Infectious Diseases Society of America
Sandy Harwood has been with the Infectious Diseases Society of America since 1998, initially serving as the Director of Meetings. In 2008, she was promoted to Vice President, Meetings and Education. As a member of the executive management team, she is responsible for strategic guidance for IDSA priorities. In 2012, she oversaw the creation of IDWeek, the largest meeting dedicated to infectious diseases physicians, scientists and practitioners hosted by five organizations including IDSA, SHEA, PIDS, HIVMA and SIDP, and serves as Meeting Secretariat. Under Sandy’s guidance, IDSA expanded its professional development portfolio to include maintenance of certification modules, antimicrobial stewardship curriculum and advanced curriculum, a leadership institute, ACCME accreditation with commendation, creation of an in-training exam to help program directors benchmark fellow-in-trainings’ progress throughout fellowship, mentorship programs for medical students, residents and fellows and initiatives supporting medical education resources.
With the challenges of the global pandemic, in addition to moving IDWeek to a virtual meeting, Sandy conceived and partnered with CDC to secure grant money to host a 24 hour COVID-19 Chasing-the-Sun event on the day prior to IDWeek. This free 24-hour program included COVID-19 updates from around the globe. Reports from CDC, WHO, and all major international partners were included.
Sandy graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management. She received her CMP in 2002. Sandy has served on numerous industry committees and advisory boards including Marriott, Fairmont, Starwood, San Diego, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.