IDCRC Profile: Mary Healy, MD

Dr. Healy is an associate professor of pediatrics, in the Section of Infectious Diseases, at Baylor College of Medicine. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Healy has been involved in clinical research for over two decades. Her research interests focus on preventing infections through immunization for all age groups, with a special interest in maternal immunization, particularly in evaluating immunization strategies to prevent severe pertussis in infants. She has also served as a co-investigator for the Baylor VTEU and has been intimately involved with IDCRC/VTEU projects where Baylor serves as a clinical site, including as national co-chair of Stage 2 (adolescent) Mpox clinical trial. 

She was recently announced as the IDCRC Leadership Group (LG) Clinical Operations Unit (COU) co-director. Read the full announcement of her recent appointment here.  

Briefly describe your background in infectious disease research.

My research interests are focused on preventing and treating infections across the lifespan but with a particular interest in maternal and infant infection through maternal immunization.  I have designed and led studies to critically evaluate immunization strategies to prevent severe infant pertussis in collaboration with CDC and foundation grants. Other research collaborations with public health colleagues include research to improve vaccine communication strategies and vaccination rates through understanding the drivers of vaccine hesitancy. As a co-investigator with the Baylor VTEU, I am actively involved in trials to prevent COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens and serve as national co-chair for the Stage 2 (adolescent) Mpox clinical trial.

What do you believe is a strength or example of the importance of the IDCRC?

The last five years have demonstrated the importance and value of having a scientific community with not only expertise but also a robust framework to respond rapidly and efficiently to novel or evolving pathogens. The IDCRC serves an important role in ensuring that response to infectious disease evolution is coordinated and informed by robust scientific data.

Describe the importance of the VTEUs.

A network of clinical trial sites with experience in performing high-quality clinical research and disseminating those data to inform responses to evolving infectious disease questions is critical. The VTEU, funded by NIH since the 1960s, fulfills this role and continues to develop ID investigators, research staff, and study participants who are committed to producing high-quality scientific data to reduce deaths from infectious diseases and improve health across the lifespan.

What are you looking forward to most in your new IDCRC role?

The IDCRC working in partnership with the VTEUs provides a framework to rapidly advance the clinical development of vaccines and other treatments from bench to bedside, contributing to individual and population health and well-being across the lifespan. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to contribute to the mission of the IDCRC, utilizing my experience in performing clinical trials as part of the VTEU, and I look forward to working with talented colleagues to further these aims.