Kate DeSear, Pharm.D., a clinical associate professor in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and an infectious diseases clinical specialist at UF Health Shands Hospital, has been named a fellow of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists, or SIDP. She was recognized at the organization’s annual meeting in Orlando on May 16.
The fellowship distinction recognizes outstanding SIDP members who have made significant and sustained contributions to infectious diseases and to the organization’s mission. Recipients demonstrate a commitment to promoting the appropriate use of antimicrobials for the prevention and management of infectious diseases through leadership and collaboration in practice, education, research and advocacy.
A member of SIDP since 2012, DeSear has served the organization in several leadership roles. She chaired the Recognition Awards Committee, where she developed the Outstanding Mentor Award, and later served on the SIDP board of directors as treasurer. In that role, she led significant financial modernization efforts, including transitioning to new accounting and audit partners, establishing long-term investment strategies to support sustainable programming, contributing to SIDP’s honorarium policy and expanding scholarship and educational initiatives. Her leadership strengthened the society’s stability, transparency and support for members.
“Receiving this fellowship is deeply meaningful because SIDP has been my professional home since the beginning of my career,” DeSear said. “This honor reflects years of service, mentorship and shared growth within the society. It represents not just personal accomplishment, but the support and trust of colleagues who shaped me as a leader.”
At UF Health Shands Hospital, DeSear co-leads the antimicrobial stewardship program and serves as residency program director for the infectious diseases PGY2 residency, mentoring pharmacists who will shape the future of antimicrobial stewardship. Her clinical and scholarly interests focus on antimicrobial stewardship, innovative ways to measure stewardship impact and gram-negative resistance. She also values the close collaborations she maintains with infectious diseases physicians, partnerships she considers among the most rewarding aspects of her career.
DeSear is a board-certified infectious diseases pharmacist. This marks her second fellowship honor, as she is also a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.