Dr. David Banach has dedicated nearly two decades to the field of infectious diseases and public health. With a background in medicine, research, and community service, he brings a holistic view of care that spans from the hospital room to the homeless shelter.
In this candid interview, Dr Banach shares how his journey unfolded, what continues to drive his work, and why education and prevention are at the heart of what he does.
Q: What inspired you to focus your career on infectious diseases?
Dr. Banach: I was always drawn to the idea of solving puzzles. Infectious diseases often present that way—you’re piecing together clinical signs, lab results, and patient history to figure out what’s going on. But what really drew me in was the broader impact. An infection doesn’t just affect one person—it can affect a family, a hospital, or a community. That intersection between individual care and population health has always interested me.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you now?
Dr. Banach: Every day is different, which I like. I split my time between seeing patients with complex infections, teaching students and residents, working on infection prevention policies, and conducting research. I’m also involved in public health committees, so I might be reviewing state-level guidance or participating in meetings about outbreak response. Some days are patient-heavy, others are more focused on education or planning. It’s the variety that keeps it engaging.
Q: Your work bridges clinical medicine and public health. How do you balance both?
Dr. Banach: It helps that the two are connected. What I see in the clinic or hospital often informs how I think about public health, and vice versa. For example, if I notice a pattern of antibiotic resistance among patients, I start thinking about what systems need to change—whether it’s prescribing practices or environmental factors. The key is to look at the big picture without losing sight of the individual in front of you.
Q: During the pandemic, how did your role change?
Dr. Banach: Everything accelerated. I was working with other professionals to review new research, develop safety protocols, and communicate with the public. There was a lot of pressure to get things right, quickly. One of the biggest challenges was addressing uncertainty while still providing clear guidance. I often found myself saying, “This is what we know now, but we’ll continue to update as we learn more.” People appreciated the honesty.
Q: You’ve also been very involved in education. What’s your approach to teaching?
Dr. Banach: I try to focus on real-world relevance. It’s one thing to understand the textbook definition of an infection, and another to make decisions in a clinical setting. I use case examples, ask students to think through steps, and try to show how prevention strategies are implemented day-to-day. Teaching also keeps me sharp. Students ask questions that force you to revisit your assumptions and look at problems in new ways.
Q: You volunteer regularly at a clinic for those without housing. What does that work mean to you?
Dr. Banach: It’s grounding. It reminds me why I got into medicine in the first place. Many of the people we see there face barriers to care that go far beyond infection. Being present in that setting gives me a broader understanding of how social factors affect health. It also helps future doctors learn how to connect with patients from all walks of life.
Q: What’s something most people misunderstand about infection prevention?
Dr. Banach: People often think it’s about reacting to problems, like stepping in once an outbreak starts. But good infection prevention is proactive. It involves everyday habits—cleaning procedures, hand hygiene, equipment management—that stop problems before they start. It’s invisible when it’s working well, which can make it hard to appreciate until something goes wrong.
Q: What keeps you motivated after all these years?
Dr. Banach: The sense that the work matters. Whether it’s a patient who recovers from a difficult illness, a student who grows into a confident clinician, or a community that benefits from better public health guidance—it all adds up. There’s also always something new to learn in this field. Infections evolve, systems change, and so must we.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering a career in infectious diseases?
Dr. Banach: Be curious and open to collaboration. This field isn’t just about one-on-one patient care. You’ll be working with microbiologists, policymakers, epidemiologists—it’s very interdisciplinary. If you’re interested in science, people, and systems, you’ll find a place here.
Key Learnings:
Preventing infection is often more powerful—and more complex—than treating it.
Communicating uncertainty transparently builds public trust during health crises.
Teaching and volunteering enrich clinical practice by offering broader perspectives.
Public health and clinical care work best when they inform each other in real time.
Curiosity and adaptability are essential traits for long-term success in healthcare.
Read more:
Fighting Infections, Teaching Tomorrow: A Conversation with Dr. David Banach
