After nearly 20 years as Chief of the Section of Infectious Diseases & Global Health, David Pitrak, MD will retire from the Department of Medicine effective June 30, 2021. Dr. Pitrak, Professor of Medicine, was appointed as chief in 2002 where he has led the Section’s clinical, research, educational and global programs, earning a national reputation for excellence in the care of patients with immune deficiencies and innovative clinical trials. His contributions have been very impactful, and his expertise, enthusiasm and ability to work well with colleagues across the Department, BSD and UCM will certainly be missed.
Dr. Pitrak is a true academic leader, an outstanding clinician and an exceptional role model. When he assumed the role as chief, the Section consisted of 2 faculty members. He is responsible for its amazing growth to currently 18 faculty with expertise in all major types of infectious diseases, including epidemiology, infection control, public health, immunocompromised hosts, and clinical trials for experimental therapies. He has overseen significant advancements in clinical activities in the Section, including the establishment of the Immunocompromised Host Consult Service, and the expansion of the general infectious diseases clinic and the Adult HIV Care Program. Additionally, Dr. Pitrak has worked to enhance clinical care for complex cases in the HIV clinic by securing resources and enabling multidisciplinary teamwork. He also supervised the opening of the Travel Clinic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Pitrak led the Section while continuing to maintain its 4 outstanding consult services to ensure optimal and timely management of patients with serious infectious disease. In 2012, working with Dr. John Schneider, he helped create the Chicago Center for HIV Elimination as a way to integrate the research, clinical, and community-based activities at the University of Chicago.
Along with Dr. Jean-Luc Benoit, Dr. Pitrak has been instrumental for the accreditation of the two-year ID fellowship program and the creation of several non-ACGME advanced fellowships in hospital epidemiology and infection control, antimicrobial stewardship, and transplant infectious diseases. He also worked to establish a global health program in education and clinical research program through the Wuhan University, and fully supported Dr. Renslow Sherer in establishing the Medical Education Reform (WUMER) program as well as educational programs for MATEC, the Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center.
As a clinician, Dr. Pitrak has managed his patients with incredible care and compassion focusing his efforts on expanded HIV testing for disproportionately affected populations in health care settings and enhanced linkage into care in Chicago.
Dr. Pitrak has also overseen the incredible growth in the Section’s research portfolio from $31K in 2003 to an astonishing approximately $15M in FY20.
As a role model, Dr. Pitrak has mentored innumerable students, residents and fellows. With his guidance and support many have achieved positions from high levels of governmental epidemiology to large and small academic institutions across the country. Dr. Pitrak has trained a long line of infectious disease physicians who carry on his example of aiming to be the triple threat: being outstanding and empathetic clinicians, educators and researchers.
In recognition of his talent, dedication and excellence in patient care, teaching and mentoring of junior faculty, Dr. Pitrak was awarded the 2020 Department of Medicine Distinguished Service Award and the 2020 BSD Distinguished Educator/Mentor Award. He is also a past recipient of the IMR program’s Outstanding Educator Award and has been named to the Best Doctors/Top Doctors list on multiple occasions.