Anthony Flores, MD, MPH, PhD, has joined Vanderbilt as director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, a role he assumed July 1.
Previously, Flores served as professor and chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the McGovern Medical School of UTHealth Houston.
Vanderbilt’s Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, established more than 40 years ago, is home to some of the top pediatric infectious disease experts in the world who are recognized leaders in vaccine development and vaccine safety, bacterial infections (such as pertussis and Staphylococcus aureus), viral infections (such as RSV, influenza and coronaviruses), global health, antimicrobial stewardship, and the care of children with compromised immune systems.
“The opportunity to lead and contribute to an already outstanding division is once in a lifetime,” said Flores, professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. “The impact the division has already had on the field of pediatric infectious diseases is profound, and I firmly believe that the division is perfectly poised to be the standard-bearer for our specialty.”
Ritu Banerjee, MD, PhD, professor of Pediatrics and medical director of the Pediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, served as interim division director while a national search was conducted. The search committee was led by Scott Baldwin, MD, director of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, and Debra Friedman, MD, director of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
“We couldn’t be more excited about Tony joining the Vanderbilt Department of Pediatrics,” said William Cooper, MD, MPH, interim chair of the Department of Pediatrics. “He has cast an audacious vision to propel the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases to an even higher place in its research, education, clinical and advocacy missions. We are delighted to help support him in this important role.”
In his early months at Vanderbilt, Flores plans to spend time becoming more familiar with VUMC, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and the people on the pediatric infectious diseases team. “With such a great division already, my main goal is to avoid any major disruption and facilitate the great work already being done,” Flores said.
“As a physician-scientist, I am incredibly excited by the opportunity to further develop my basic and translational research program. The rich academic environment at Vanderbilt, I believe, will take our research to a level not otherwise possible,” he added.
In his clinical and research work, Flores examines the mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens cause disease in humans. Specifically, he looks at Gram-positive bacteria, such as streptococci and staphylococci, which are prominent in many pediatric infections like strep throat, skin and deep tissue infections, and blood infections, among other infectious diseases.
Flores earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wyoming, subsequently earning his masters, PhD, MPH and medical degrees from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, New York. He did a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
Flores moved to Nashville with his wife, Misú Sanson, MD, PhD, who will also be joining Vanderbilt as an assistant professor (research), and their two sons, Roberto, 8, and Emmanuel, 6. He looks forward to touring the food scene in Nashville, exploring the city with his family and golfing when he has the chance.
