The SDCMS GERM Commission
The San Diego County Medical Society’s GERM Commission was created by SDCMS in 1996 in order to bring together a group of infectious disease specialists, public health officers, infection control practitioners, and pharmacists to assist and advise SDCMS about issues related to infectious diseases.
The name GERM (Group to Eradicate Resistant Microorganisms) was adopted with the full understanding that, in reality, eradication was unlikely to be an attainable goal but its pursuit a worthy enterprise.
Ramon E. Moncada, MD, FIDSA, was the first to chair this commission and was successful in establishing an open line of communication between the participating disciplines. A strong link with Public Health resulted from the active participation of Michele Ginsberg, MD, Yudith Yates, COO of the Hospital Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties, members of the faculty of the School of Medicine at UCSD, medical officers of the U.S. Navy, and a strong pediatrics, infection control, and family practice representation.
In 2001, Leland Rickman, MD, took over the chair just in time for the heightened concerns about biological terrorism brought about by the September 11 events and the anthrax biological terrorism incident. Dr. Rickman performed admirably in enhancing the medical community awareness and education about these topics. The GERM Commission designed training modules and other materials on bioterrorism while continuing to focus on the emergence of drug-resistant E. coli in San Diego County.
Unfortunately, in 2003 Leland Rickman passed away, which was a great loss to our community. The current chairman, Gonzalo Ballon-Landa, MD, FIDSA, replaced him and Norm Waecker, MD, became the vice chair. Under their leadership, GERM developed a successful SARS conference and began an ongoing dialogue on how to control multi-drug-resistant organisms in San Diego’s unique setting. During this time the GERM Commission developed the Ghastly GERM Gazette for the rapid notification of all San Diego County physicians about emerging infectious diseases in the community. The first of these was on the emergence of community-associated MRSA.
The commission has had many worthwhile accomplishments, including the introduction of tuberculosis screening for independent licensed practitioners, the creation of a timely bioterrorism primer for all SDCMS members, the creation of a countywide antibiogram that looks at the rising rates of fluoroquinolone resistance, dissemination of educational materials and education about MRSA, increasing hospital staff influenza vaccination to the highest levels in the country, and coordination of implementation of legislation-mandated practices.
Currently, the GERM Commission is examining ways in which it may assist in enhancing influenza and other immunizations in our community, as well as preparing for influenza seasons and pandemics, emergent antimicrobial resistance, and evaluating our community’s prevalence of Clostridium difficile infections so as to devise ways to combat it. We are always alert to new challenges that might emerge, and we thank SDCMS for its continuing trust and support.