Board Member Spotlight: Sallie Permar, MD, PhD

Board Member Spotlight: Sallie Permar, MD, PhD

Tell us about your professional background.
 
I am a pediatric infectious disease physician-scientist at Duke University School of Medicine who focuses on the care, treatment, and prevention of neonatal viral infections. In addition to pediatrics training, I have a PhD in microbiology and immunology and lead a research lab working towards the development of vaccines to eliminate transmission of viruses from mothers to their infants, including HIV, CMV, and Zika. One of my greatest scientific goals is an effective vaccine to prevent congenital CMV transmission.
 
What makes the National CMV Foundation’s mission powerful for you?
 
As a training pediatric infectious disease doctor, I was overwhelmed at how commonly I interacted with children who were affected by CMV and the great need for a vaccine to eliminate its congenital transmission. I was inspired by my experience with families impacted by CMV to pursue CMV vaccine as a major component of my research program. I quickly recognized the importance of organized patient and family advocacy to obtain the awareness and resources that will be needed to achieve this goal. There is no better advocacy partner out there than the National CMV Foundation!
 
What does success look like to you?
 
Success to me is seeing collaborative efforts impact the lives of others, and the National CMV Foundation is well poised the lead those types of efforts!
 
What motivates you?
 
I am motivated by data and results that can be used to inform the next important question to tackle along the pathway to achieving a magnanimous goal!
 
What does true leadership mean to you?
 
True leadership to me is someone who can motivate collaborative work that showcases many talents around a unified goal.
 
What book did you read last?
 
Becoming – Michelle Obama
 
What is an ability you wish you had?
 
I wish I could sit at the piano and accompany family sing-alongs like my mother and brother can!  My sister was also a great pianist. Sadly, it didn’t stick with me (too busy studying??).
 
What do you like most about living in North Carolina?
 
What I most enjoy living in NC is having the mountains, sea, family, and an excellent academic medical center all close at hand!
 
Where would you most like to travel to?
 
Egypt!
 
What’s your favorite 90’s jam?
 
Ace of Base
 
You’re happiest when?
 
I am happiest when I can celebrate the successes of my kids, and mentees towards achieving their life goals!