Richard T. Ellison III, M.D., is Professor of Medicine and Microbiology in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology at UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA. He has pursued basic investigations into innate host defenses against bacterial pathogens and into novel antimicrobial agents active against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. As a hospital epidemiologist, his recent research interests include nosocomial infections, infection prevention and control, and management and treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. He is a past president of the Massachusetts Infectious Diseases Society.