making the rounds

VALLEY FEVER I NST I TUTE

SPR I NG 202 3

BRINGING NATIONAL ATTENTION TO

VALLEY FEVER

Kern Medical and the Valley Fever Institute continue to remain focused on efforts to improve Valley Fever outcomes for patients. In November 2022, Erica Easton, former President of the Kern Medical Foundation and Rob Purdie, Patient & Program Development Coordinator of the Valley Fever Institute, traveled to Washington DC to meet with California legislators and other members of Congress to discuss the increasing impact of Valley Fever in California and the rest of the United States. They met with Representatives McCarthy, Valadao (pictured right), Costa and Levin (pictured left) from California to discuss the need for new drugs to treat Valley Fever. Additional meetings were held with staff from the offices of many members of the California Congressional Delegation, including the offices of Speaker Pelosi (CA), Senate Leader Schumer (NY), Representatives Schweikert (AZ), Pallone (NJ) Burgess (TX) and Senator Kelly (AZ). The discussions were led with one objective - to address the need for better diagnostics and therapeutics for Valley Fever. Kern Medical and the Valley Fever Institute's goal is to continue to work with key stakeholders, gain legislative support, and encourage investment in critical research and other federal regulatory improvements to develop new drugs to treat various fungal infections, such as Valley Fever.

FIRST GRADUATE INFECTIOUS DESEASE FELLOWSHIP

The Valley Fever Institute team is experiencing further expansion as it welcomes its newest Faculty member, Dr. Carlos D'Assumpcao, MD, an Infectious Disease Specialist. Dr. D'Assumpcao is set to join the team in July, following the successful completion of his fellowship. Notably, he will become the inaugural graduate of Kern Medical Infectious Disease Fellowship Program.

Carlos D'Assumpcao, MD