With a welcoming and congratulatory message on behalf of the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, Mikhail A. Murashko, Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, Andrey Nikolayevich Plutnitskiy, addressed the participants of the Forum. He emphasized that ensuring biological safety is an extremely relevant task, the solution of which is impossible without the unity of the entire international community and effective collaboration between scientific and medical organizations. Identifying the priority task as ensuring the resilience of the healthcare system to infectious challenges, Andrey Nikolayevich concluded his speech by congratulating the department on its anniversary. He underscored that it is one of the most important and significant departments in the country, serving as a crucible for personnel in the field of infectious diseases. Graduates of the department contribute not only to Russia but also beyond its borders, a testament to the high level of the scientific school and the faculty.

The Vice-Rector for Innovation and Clinical Activities, Head of the Department of Faculty Therapy No. 1 at Sechenov University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Victor Viktorovich Fomin, highlighted the increasing demand for infectious disease physicians. He emphasized the importance of continuing to develop educational programs and attracting talented young professionals. Infectious diseases, he noted, remain a global challenge that threatens the safety of our country and the world at large. Professor Fomin also acknowledged that the Department of Infectious Diseases consistently takes a leading role in personnel training and wished it prosperity, new achievements, and well-being.

Director of the N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine at Sechenov University, Professor Beatrice Albertovna Vollel, extended congratulations to the department on its 100th anniversary. She acknowledged its dynamism and youthful spirit, highlighting the significant contribution of the department to education, including the training of foreign students. Professor Vollel emphasized the selflessness, seriousness, and commitment required in this field. She described the Department of Infectious Diseases as an "impregnable fortress" in education, successfully facing challenges and changes while maintaining its positions. Professor Vollel expressed her wishes for continued development and prosperity.

Director of the F.F. Erisman Institute of Public Health, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine at Sechenov University, Nikolay Ivanovich Briko, mentioned the achievements of the department during its 100 years of operation in his speech. This includes the training of personnel and the development of treatment and diagnostic methods. He also shared his memories of his student years, noting that this time was filled with knowledge and experience that he gained while studying at the department.

President of the Children's Scientific and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FMBA) of Russia, Chief External Specialist on Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the Ministry of Health of Russia and FMBA of Russia, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yuri Vladimirovich Lobzin, congratulated the department on its anniversary. Yuri Vladimirovich spoke a few words about the outstanding figures of the department, shared memories of friendship and collaboration with Sergey Grigorievich Pak – a brilliant clinical researcher and scientist whose work on pathogenetic therapy remains relevant and is still studied at the department. Kind words were also expressed towards Elena Vasilievna Volchkova – an outstanding physician, excellent teacher, scientist, and remarkable person. Her contribution to the development of the department and medical science is invaluable.

The session was opened by the head of the department, Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Elena Vasilievna Volchkova. Elena Vasilievna provided an overview of the department's history since its establishment, highlighting achievements in scientific, educational, and community activities. She also spoke about notable graduates who continue to work in various regions of Russia and abroad.

The session was then continued by Valeriy Anatolyevich Malov, a professor at the department, Doctor of Medical Sciences. His presentation focused on reminiscences of Sergey Grigorievich Pak, who served as the head of the department from 1975 to 2011. Sergey Grigorievich's versatile talents as an organizer, scientist, physician, and educator were particularly evident during his tenure as the head of the department. Under his leadership, 11 doctoral and 42 candidate theses were completed and defended. He authored over 300 scientific works, including 6 monographs and 3 textbooks on infectious diseases.

Natalia Viktorovna Maloletneva, an associate professor at the department and a candidate of medical sciences, discussed the role of the Department of Infectious Diseases in the educational policy of Sechenov University. The department's objective is to educate a graduate with a qualitatively new set of well-formed universal, professional, and research competencies. The department supports the expansion of individual educational opportunities and development trajectories for students through clinical case workshops, virtual patient histories, the "flipped classroom" model, and interdisciplinary student projects.

The report by Professor Vladimir Petrovich Chulanov, Doctor of Medical Sciences, focused on the contribution of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Sechenov University to the field of science. Over the past 5 years, the department has published 138 articles, presented research findings at scientific-practical conferences through 320 presentations, authored 8 textbooks, and registered 33 patents for scientific inventions.

The Head of the Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis at the Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera named after I.I. Mechnikov, Chief Researcher of the Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology of Viral Hepatitis at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Mikhail Ivanovich Mikhailov, delivered a lecture titled "People Make Science." In his presentation, he illuminated the key stages of studying viral hepatitis, sharing insights about scientists, including domestic researchers who made significant discoveries in the field.

The session was further continued by the Chief External Specialist on Infectious Diseases at the Ministry of Health of Russia, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Vladimir Petrovich Chulanov, who presented the current state of the infectious disease service in Russia. In his report, Vladimir Petrovich reiterated the importance of remaining vigilant regarding COVID-19 and shared the achievements in the fight against viral hepatitis within the Russian Federation.

Next, a foreign expert took the floor: Goran Stefanović, the Director of the Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases at the University Clinical Center of Serbia, shared Serbia's experience in combating COVID-19. In his presentation, he emphasized the use of modern antiviral medications.

The Rector of Gomel State Medical University, Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Igor Olegovich Stoma, delivered a presentation dedicated to a prospective topic – the utilization of the microbiome in the therapy of infectious diseases. He exemplified this with the transplantation of fecal microbiota in the treatment of infections caused by Cl. difficile and discussed the prospects for treating upper respiratory tract infections.

The Chief External Specialist on Epidemiology, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Roman Vladimirovich Polibin, presented a report on infections related to the provision of medical care. Roman Vladimirovich emphasized the necessity of implementing a risk-oriented approach and infection control technologies in healthcare through the integration of epidemiological safety into the quality and safety system of medical activities as a mandatory component.

The Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Belarusian State Medical University, Chief External Specialist on Infectious Diseases at the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Igor Aleksandrovich Karpov, spoke about meningococcal infection. This topic is of particular interest to practicing physicians of all specialties because without timely etiotropic treatment, this infection is characterized by a high level of lethality, especially among children.

Viktor Vasilievich Maleev, Advisor to the Director of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, and Professor, delivered a lecture on "The Role of Infection in Human Pathology." The scientist discussed the underestimated contribution of infectious diseases to the pathogenesis of general somatic illnesses and presented current scientific research on this topic.

Next, Professor Nikolay Ivanovich Briko, the Director of the Institute of Public Health named after F.F. Erisman, and the Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine at the First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov, delivered a presentation on the topic "Vaccination as an Effective Tool for Demographic Policy." In his report, he outlined the strategic goals for vaccination of the country's population until 2035.

The Chief External Specialist in Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Rector of Smolensk State Medical University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor, and Doctor of Medical Sciences, Roman Sergeyevich Kozlov, presented a report on the issue of antibiotic resistance. In his presentation, Roman Sergeyevich highlighted the importance of improving and developing the laboratory infrastructure, organizing the activities of reference centers for various types of medical, veterinary, and phytosanitary activities, and establishing a methodological verification center for antimicrobial resistance issues.