What Doctors Aren't Taught About Lyme- And What ILADS Is Doing About It with Sarah Quillen

In this eye-opening episode of the Lyme+ Podcast, Sarah Quillen, Executive Director of ILADS, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, joins us to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to train physicians to recognize, diagnose, and treat tick-borne illness at every stage.Sarah brings over 25 years of nonprofit leadership to this role, and her path here is deeply personal. Her father was misdiagnosed with leukemia — steps away from starting the wrong treatment, before a correct diagnosis of Bartonella and Babesia finally changed the course of his care. That story became the entry point into a world she now helps lead.In this conversation, Sarah breaks down exactly what ILADS does, why it was founded, and why expanding physician education is the single most important lever for changing patient outcomes.Key Topics Covered:What ILADS is and why it's the only multidisciplinary medical society of its kind in the worldThe vectorborne illness fundamentals course, preceptorship program, and newly launched fellowshipWhy acute Lyme is far rarer than most assume — and what that means for the chronic patient majorityThe informal peer network inside ILADS that becomes a lifeline for newly practicing physiciansWhy "Lyme" is a catch-all — and why the real conversation is Bartonella, Babesia, and RickettsiaLyme's political moment: HHS roundtables, the current administration, and what's on the horizonThe growing global crisis and what ILADS is doing in Poland, the Nordic countries, and beyondThe new pediatric committee and the gap in children's hospital education. How to find an ILADS provider, what membership costs, and how to apply for grants through ISADEVThe views expressed on Lyme+ are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Lyme Alliance, Inc., or its affiliates. The content is informational and not medical advice. Global Lyme Alliance does not endorse any specific product or treatment. Always consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.We are the Global Lyme Alliance. Our mission is to cure Lyme and other tick-borne diseases through innovative research, awareness, and empowering the patient voice.Our vision is a world free of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.