{"id":3662224,"date":"2025-03-19T09:16:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T13:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vip2-msd.com\/merckcom-migrated\/?post_type=story&p=3662224"},"modified":"2025-08-29T11:03:33","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T15:03:33","slug":"a-personal-commitment-to-public-health","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/vip2-msd.com\/merckcom-migrated\/stories\/a-personal-commitment-to-public-health\/","title":{"rendered":"A personal commitment to public health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n \n Our people<\/small>\n <\/a>\n \n \n

\n A personal commitment to public health\n <\/h1>\n

Stories of research and clinical care from two leading experts in pneumococcal and pediatric infectious disease<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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March 19, 2025<\/p>\n

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Nearly all of us have caught a seasonal cold, but some infectious diseases can pose significant health risks. Research plays a critical role in advancing prevention and treatment strategies for infectious diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our researchers are at the forefront of scientific innovation, working to address the diseases that threaten our most vulnerable populations around the world. Heather Platt, M.D., and Marissa Wilck, M.D., two Merck scientists specializing in pneumococcal and pediatric infectious diseases, shared their journeys into medicine and their reflections on the critical role research plays in improving public health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What drew you to a career in infectious disease research?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Dr. Wilck: <\/strong>\u201cI grew up in rural South Africa and had to choose a career at 18. Knowing amazingly little about what it would encompass, I chose med school because of my love of science and wanted to do something meaningful with my life. In my clinical years, I saw infectious diseases all around me, which drove me to specialize in infectious diseases.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Marissa Wilck<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Platt: <\/strong>\u201cI chose internal medicine for my residency because I loved learning the broad scope and it allowed me to explore a variety of interests, particularly in infectious diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of my first patients during my internship year was a 75-year-old lady who had pneumonia and was brought into the ICU because her blood pressure was starting to drop. Within an hour, she needed full support for breathing and blood pressure with central lines and intubation. That was a pivotal moment for me to understand the complexity and impact of infectious diseases like pneumococcal disease. I later completed a fellowship in infectious diseases and witnessed advancements that made me want to pursue research.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are there any common misconceptions about infectious diseases like pneumococcal disease that you aim to overcome?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Platt: <\/strong>\u201cAnyone can get pneumococcal disease. You’re at increased risk depending on your age or certain medical conditions. Some people can become very ill, very quickly. I think Marissa and I have both seen serious cases of complications from pneumococcal disease, like pneumonia and meningitis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wilck<\/strong>: \u201cIn my clinical years, I remember seeing previously healthy people becoming very sick with pneumococcal disease. I have a particular patient in mind that I think about; I remember looking at him and thinking, ‘How can this strong man who was healthy just two or three weeks ago get so sick from this bacteria?’\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEE ALSO: Facts about invasive pneumococcal disease and how infection spreads<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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