Public release date: 6-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Garth Hogan ghogan@asmusa.org American Society for Microbiology

Washington, DCJune 6, 2012 L. Barth Reller, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, and Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, has been honored with the 2012 TREK Diagnostic ABMM/ABMLI Professional Recognition Award. This award recognizes a Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM) or the American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology (ABMLI) for outstanding contributions to the professional recognition of certified microbiologists and immunologists and the work that they do. Reller was nominated by Lizzie Harrell, also of Duke University. "Reller has made significant contributions to the advancement and public recognition of the profession of clinical microbiology through his numerous publications, worldwide lectures, mentoring and training of clinical microbiologists at all levels, and long-term service to numerous scientific organizations," describes Harrell. "He is a strong advocate for evidence-based clinical microbiology, excellent training, and certification of clinical microbiologists at all levels."

Reller received his M.D. from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He then completed an Internal Medicine residency, and fellowships in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology at the University of Washington, before continuing on to receive his Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the University of Liverpool. Reller next served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia before becoming the Director of Clinical Microbiology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, followed by Professor of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. In 1988, Reller joined the faculty of the Duke University School of Medicine as Professor of Medicine and Pathology, where his research interests include bacteremia, enteric bacteriology, and parasitic diseases. He was also Director of Clinical Microbiology at Duke University Medical Center from his hiring in 1988 through 2011.

Many honors, certifications, and service contributions support Reller's reputation as a leader in the field of clinical microbiology. Reller is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and in Medical Microbiology by the American Board of Pathology and the ABMM. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Reller serves as Special Section Co-Editor for Medical Microbiology for the Infectious Diseases Society of America's journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, and the Past Chairman of the Anti infective Advisory Committee of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He is now a consultant to this committee, and also to the FDA's Medical Microbiology Devices Advisory Committee. "Reller has diligently supported and guided the efforts of CLSI, CDC, FDA Anti-infective and Microbiology Devices panels, editorial boards, and professional committees, all of which impact medical microbiology," says Michael Wilson, Denver Health and University of Colorado. "I believe Reller to be one of the best medical microbiologists; an individual who brings distinguished credit to himself, the ABMM, and our profession. I know of no other individual who has been more effective at promoting the profession of medical microbiology."

In addition to his various contributions to the field, Reller has mentored and trained 38 Medical Microbiology Fellows who now serve in leadership positions in the US and six other countries. He strongly encourages those he mentors to become board-certified, remain active in the field, and be stewards of the profession. "As an early trainee under Reller's tutelage, I can attest to his generous and supportive mentorship. Over many years he has given his time and ideas to his trainees, then guided them toward completion of work for which they receive primary credit but which could not be accomplished without his critical thought and guidance. His keen intellect, encyclopedic knowledge, and common sense approach make him truly deserving of this award," says Melvin Weinstein, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

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To view Dr. Reller's biosketch, please visit: http://www.asm.org/index.php/awards-grants/current-trek-diagnostic-abmmabmli-professional-recognition-award-laureate.html

The TREK Diagnostic ABMM/ABMLI Professional Recognition Award will be presented during the 112th General Meeting of the ASM, June 16 - 19, 2012 in San Francisco, California. ASM is the world's oldest and largest life science organization and has more than 40,000 members worldwide. ASM's mission is to advance the microbiological sciences and promote the use of scientific knowledge for improved health and economic and environmental wellbeing.

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The American Society for Microbiology honors L. Barth Reller