In infectious diseases, rhythm often refers to workflow: rounds, consults, stewardship meetings, inbox triage. But for two ID physicians, rhythm is literal — drum kits, microphones, late‑night rehearsals and the kind of joyful noise that has nothing to do with antibiograms.
Gonzalo Bearman, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FSHEA, FACP, of Virginia Commonwealth University, and Shira Doron, MD, MS, FIDSA, of AdventHealth Central Florida, know these rhythms well. Their day jobs are serious. Their night jobs are loud.
Dr. Bearman’s CV includes roles as professor of medicine, ID division chief, associate hospital epidemiologist, and editor in chief of Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology. But ask him about the Richmond, Virginia-based Vagabond Dandies — the high‑energy party band he’s drummed with for six years — and the conversation shifts from metrics to music.
Building a Foundation
Dr. Bearman started drumming in fourth grade, earned his first real drum set in seventh grade (“I had to prove to my parents I was serious”) and never stopped. Today, the kit is part of his daily decompression ritual. “Thirty to 45 minutes on a workday,” he said. “It releases energy and refocuses me.”
The Vagabond Dandies will perform at IDWeek at the opening BugBash, Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 5:30 p.m. ET, at the Marriott Marquis. The cross‑professional ensemble includes a neurosurgeon on rhythm guitar, a dermatology advanced practice practitioner on vocals, an IT specialist on lead guitar and a county schools supervisor on bass. They play Chic, Kool & the Gang, Duran Duran — anything with a dance‑floor beat.
Dr. Bearman sees symmetry between roles in medicine, music and his other passion, soccer. “As a drummer and a goalkeeper, you’re the foundation,” he said. “As a division chief, it’s similar — you create the platform so others can do their virtuoso work. When I’m performing or playing soccer, I’m not thinking about medical concerns. I come back fresher.”
A Leading Voice
If Dr. Bearman is the beat, Dr. Doron is the voice. Previously at Tufts University and now executive medical director of infection prevention and health care epidemiologist for AdventHealth’s Central Florida division, she still flies to Boston to perform with Off Label, the band she’s fronted for 15 years. (Off Label performed at IDWeek when the conference was in Boston in 2023.)
Off Label began as a group of physicians looking to blow off steam. Membership has shifted as people have moved, trained or been promoted, but the core remains: clinicians who understand scheduling chaos and the need for an outlet.
Dr. Doron grew up outside Manhattan and once considered pursuing singing professionally. “Someone pointed out it wouldn’t do my mother any favors,” she said. The performing arts path meant constant auditions. “I thought, that’s a lot of rejection. Maybe I make it my hobby.” Science won, but music stayed.
Off Label plays classic rock, newer hits and whatever gets a crowd moving. Dr. Doron’s go‑to is Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie,” a song she once belted out at a Winter Park, Florida, jam session without knowing a soul in the room.
A Creative Outlet and a Connection
Music, Dr. Doron said, is the perfect counterweight to the heaviness of ID. “We take our responsibility seriously, and it’s heavy. The harder your day job is, the more you need a creative outlet.” Bands of clinicians make it work — rehearsing on Sunday nights, adjusting for surgeons racing from the operating room and even practicing full sets without a guitarist.
Playing at IDWeek in 2023 was a highlight: “My people were out there in the audience. One of the biggest crowds we’ve ever played for.” She plans to sit in again at IDWeek this year, as a special guest with the Vagabond Dandies, “as much as they let me.”
Drs. Bearman and Doron may approach music differently — drums versus vocals, party band versus rock ensemble — but both find an outlet from the intensity of medicine in music.
And at IDWeek 2026, they’re ready to turn up the volume.