We know that the career goals and interests of our fellows vary widely and we believe that the resources of the Division of Infectious Diseases and surrounding medical center allow us to individualize each fellow's experience to best meet their goals. Tracks within the fellowship allow fellows to explore career options and gain additional focused experience. In addition to formal tracks, a variety of elective rotations are available to broaden the educational experience.
Tracks
Specialized tracks are offered in Transplant Infectious Disease/Immunocompromised Host and Antimicrobial Stewardship to give fellows an in-depth knowledge and extensive training in these relevant areas.
Transplant Infectious Disease/Immunocompromised Host Track
Over the past few decades, transplant infectious disease (TID) has emerged as a subspeciality within infectious disease. There is widespread recognition that the knowledge base required to practice transplant ID differs from the general training offered in a two-year fellowship. Currently six faculty members staff our transplant ID/immunocompromised host services.
Activities in this track include:
- Fully funded third year of transplant specific training (as a clinical lecturer)
- A minimum of six months rounding on the transplant ID service
- Mentored research experience
- Quality improvement project in the transplant center
- Additional experiences based on interest (e.g., observing surgical procedures, rounding on various transplant specific services such as BMT or renal transplant, attending evaluation meetings)
Antimicrobial Stewardship Track
This track offers a robust program focused on the judicious use of antimicrobials to combat antibiotic resistance, optimize patient outcomes, and train future leaders. This track allows fellows to gain expertise in antimicrobial pharmacology and microbiology and in creating guidelines, policies, and educational initiatives that influence prescribing practices. The Antimicrobial Stewardship group, led by medical director Dr. Tejal Gandhi, was designated an Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence by the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Activities in this track include:
- AST focused QI project mentored by AST faculty
- Additional rotations on the MDRO service
- Completion of the IDSA advanced AST curriculum
- School of Public Health Summer Session in Epidemiology graduate level course in Epidemiology or Biostatistics
- Additional research project on AST related field.
Curriculum
The following are core requirements of the fellowship curriculum, with advanced training opportunities/electives for fellows who are interested.
HIV/AIDS Experience
The HIV/AIDS Treatment Program (HATP) was started by Dr. Powel Kazanjian in 1995. The program has been federally funded under the Ryan White Care Act since that time, and has undergone considerable growth over the years now serving more than 900 active patients (medical visit in the past 12 months). While all fellows will be assigned new HIV positive patients, fellows with a particular interest in HIV/AIDS can attend additional clinics when not on the inpatient service.
Transplant Infectious Disease
Michigan Medicine has one of the largest and broadest-based Transplant Centers in the country, performing more than 300 organ transplants yearly. Furthermore, over 200 adult stem cell transplants are performed annually. Our Transplant Infectious Disease Service is directed by Dr. Daniel Kaul and staffed by physicians with clinical and academic interests in the treatment and prevention of infections in this population. All fellows will round on the transplant ID service and additional rotations are available for fellows with a particular interest in transplant ID.
Hospital Epidemiology/Infection Prevention
Interested fellows can attend infection control committee and participate in the various activities and investigations that are part of the work of these groups. Further, the division will fund attendance at the CDC/SHEA infection control course or, if the fellow prefers, the online infection control course.
Hospital Epidemiology/Infection Prevention Core and Advanced Curriculum Overview
Antimicrobial Stewardship
The division maintains a very active Antimicrobial Stewardship Program where Dr. Tejal Gandhi serves as the medical director and works closely with our three infectious disease pharmacists. Fellows are encouraged to attend antibiotics subcommittee meetings and participate in antimicrobial stewardship activities.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Core and Advanced Curriculum Overview
Additional Electives
Additional electives and rotations are available to offer fellows the opportunity to expand their clinical and research training.
Viral Hepatitis Clinic
The University of Michigan Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology maintains a very active viral hepatitis and liver transplant service at both Michigan Medicine and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, which are staffed by national leaders in the field. Interested fellows can attend the Viral Hepatitis Clinic.
Clinical Microbiology Laboratory
Most fellows do at least a two-week rotation in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory during one of their research months.
Summer Session in Epidemiology
A popular program offered by the U-M School of Public Health, Summer Session in Epidemiology, provides an intensive three-week introduction to the principles of epidemiology and attracts students from all over the country. Fellows are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, and in most cases, the division has been able to provide complete funding for tuition.
Tuberculosis Clinic
Interested fellows can attend the Wayne County Tuberculosis Clinic run by Dr. James Sunstrum, the tuberculosis consultant for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
