Educational Curriculum

The primary aim of our ID fellowship program is to prepare our fellows for independent practice in infectious diseases and to successfully pass the ABIM subspecialty board exam in Infectious Diseases. We offer a 2-year clinical track as well as a combined Medicine-Pediatrics ID fellowship in conjunction with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital.

Foundations of Infectious Diseases

This weekly didactic session is part of a two-year curriculum to prepare fellows for their future careers and to successfully pass their boards.  It is typically presented in an interactive, case-based format. Led by an ID faculty member, it reviews the mechanisms of action and resistance of antimicrobial agents, infectious disease syndromes, and infectious agents.

HIV Management

Sessions are organized by Dr. Nathan Summers, medical director of the Adult Special Care Center, Memphis’ largest HIV clinic. Topics discussed in detail include HIV pathogenesis, diagnosis, antiretroviral medications, and opportunistic infections.

ID Case Conference

The twice-monthly ID Case Conference is designed to examine cases from the inpatient ID consultation service. The primary goal is to provide an in-depth examination and critical analysis of issues pertaining to the diagnosis and management of patients on the service. It is also expected that the presenting fellow perform a detailed search and discussion of the literature pertaining to the topic presented.  Currently, the ID Case Conference will alternate between faculty and fellow presentations, with a fellow leading the conference once monthly.

ID Journal Club

Infectious Diseases Journal Club is designed to be an in-depth review of recent original articles from either the clinical or basic science literature. These reviews are designed to introduce fellows to a critical appraisal of manuscripts. These conferences take place monthly and are conducted by both faculty and fellows.

Infection Prevention / Antimicrobial Stewardship Meetings

Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship committee meetings are held regularly at the VAMC and ROH. Fellows are expected to attend at least two meetings annually when their schedule permits (typically while on a research or medical microbiology rotation), but fellows interested in pursuing a career in these fields are encouraged to attend regularly when their schedule allows.