Voices from the Frontlines: A Powerful Weapon Against AMR
Guest author Diane Shader Smith joins us for “Voices from the Frontlines: A Powerful Weapon Against AMR”
About the Event
In a world where antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the foundation of modern medicine, the power of storytelling emerges as an unexpected yet potent weapon.
- What is the impact of personal narrative in the fight against AMR?
- Who are the voices from the frontlines? Including patients, their family and friends, healthcare professionals, biotech innovators, and advocates.
For six years following the death of her daughter Mallory Smith, author/activist Diane Shader Smith has traveled the world telling Mallory’s story, in her own words. Discover how one young woman’s story, captured in her memoir, Diary of a Dying Girl, has resonated and inspired the Global AMR Diary and a collective call to action.
Join us as we explore the intersection of medicine and media, where compelling stories become catalysts for change, influencing policy, raising awareness, and inspiring a united front against one of the most pressing health crises of our time.
About the Speaker
Diane Shader Smith has enjoyed a dynamic career as a writer, speaker, publicist, and dedicated fundraiser, handling a diverse portfolio of clients. After the tragic loss of her daughter Mallory at the age of 25, Diane posthumously published Mallory’s memoir, Salt in My Soul (Random House, 2019), which significantly impacted readers and inspired a documentary of the same name by 3Arts Entertainment. More recently, Diane adapted Mallory’s memoir for a younger audience under the title, Diary of a Dying Girl, (Random House 2024), and conceived of the idea to launch The Global AMR Diary, which she did in collaboration with major health organizations like the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Partnership to Fight Infectious Diseases among others. This initiative harnesses the power of storytelling to combat the global health crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Diane has given over 250 talks at prestigious venues worldwide, including The White House, Capitol Hill, NATO, the New York City Public Library, and Harvard Medical School. She has written op-eds for USA Today, STAT News, and The Hill, and she has contributed blogs for the CDC and Random House. Diane has been interviewed by many major media outlets like The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, FORBES, and The Today Show among others. She holds an English degree from UCLA and a certificate in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University.