Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine

From Past to Present ..

The vision of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University (PIDCU) is to care for pediatric infectious diseases patients holistically, conforming to the policies of the Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. Its activities include those of patient care and education of medical students, residents, and clinical fellows, conducted by a multidisciplinary medical team in continually improving its operations.     PIDCU was founded by its first director, Professor Sarot Komsan, whose leadership was continued by its subsequent directors, Assistant Professor Yaowalak Lohachun, Professor Emeritus Saowanee Jamdermpadedsuk, and Assistant Professor Lady Chotima Patamanon respsectively.

1996-1999

Professor Usa Thisayakorn, PIDCU’s 5th director who pioneered and advocated for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and highly regarded internationally in the field of care and research in dengue fever. She was also served as President of the Royal College of Pediatricians of Thailand, President of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of Thailand, and was an internationally recognized expert in pediatric infectious diseases. During this time, Dr Amporn Sookontaman from the Division of Microbiology joined PIDCU as a visiting professor and helped to develop diagnostic methods of Mycoplasma and Chlamydia.

1999-2002
and
2005-2011

Professor Sasithorn Likitnookoon, PIDCU’s 6th director had particular academic interest in respiratory infections, including Mycoplasma, Chlamydia and pediatric Tuberculosis. She pioneered antiretroviral drug programs in children in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Health during the early stages of Thailand’s HIV epidemic and also had expertise in the use of antimicrobial agents in normal immunity and immunocompromised children.

2002-2005
and
2011-2018

Assistant Professor Chitsanu Pancharoen, PIDCU’s 7th director, pioneer of holistic care for patients and their families, with particular expertise in caring for pediatric dengue infection and HIV, focus on infectious disease prevention through vaccination, and founder of the Communication Skills Training Center to facilitate communication skills training for doctors, medical students and affiliated medical staff. He also served as advisor to Chula Kid’s Club, an educational program for the general public in promotion of primary healthcare for children and their families.

2019-present

Assistant Professor Thanyawee Puthanakit, PIDCU’s current director has expertise in the treatment and clinical research of pediatric HIV. She serves an advisor to the World Health Organization in the development of pediatric HIV treatment guidelines and also conducts extensive clinical research in vaccine development, including influenza and HPV, and also serves as Director of the Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines.