Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship Quick Info

Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Accredited/Nonaccredited: Accredited by ACGME

 # of fellow slots each year: 1

Typical academic year start date: July 1st

Funding: Grants, Affiliate Funding, Division Support

Strengths of program: The overriding goal of the Pediatric infectious Diseases Fellowship program is to provide excellent training in the practice and science of infectious disease and in infectious diseases-related research skills through mentored relationships involving progressive independence for the fellow.

General Schedule:

Clinical vs. Research:

• Year 1:  32 weeks-Clinical, 17 weeks-Research, 3 weeks-Vacation
• Year 2:  12 weeks-Clinical, 37 weeks-Research, 3 weeks-Vacation
• Year 3:  12 weeks-Clinical, 37 weeks-Research, 3 weeks-Vacation

Call responsibilities: In-house call is defined as those duty hours beyond the normal work day when fellows are required to be immediately available in the assigned institution. In-house call must occur no more frequently than every third night averaged over a 4-hour period.

Evening and weekend calls are most always directed first to the attending physician and not the fellow.  Fellows are on service 31 day periods, but patient care and related consultation time averages 40-50 hours per week and would never exceed 60 hours.  Call is never taken in the hospital on nights and weekends.

Types of research fellows could pursue (e.g. lab, clinical, community-based, etc.): 

The trainee (fellow) meets formally during the first months of training with Division faculty to discuss research goals and possible projects. Following these one-on-one discussions, the trainee will choose a mentor, and start development of a formal laboratory or patient-oriented research project. The outline for this project will be completed before the end of the first year, and then implemented during the second and third years. In some cases, implementation can begin during the first year of training. By the end of the training period, the trainee will have presented the results of the research at a national meeting (such as SPR, ICAAC, or IDSA), prepared a manuscript for publication, under the supervision of their mentor, and prepared a research grant application for external funding.

Throughout the three years of training, the trainee will receive informal and formal training in research methodology, research ethics, biostatistics, scientific publication preparation, and grant writing. It is expected that trainees will acquire the skills to submit strong applications for grant funding.

Dual Degree: Does your program fund Master’s Program? If so, which one(s)?

Fellows wishing to pursue training in epidemiology or clinical trials may obtain a concurrent MPH degree in the School of Public Health.  The program also trains post-doctoral PhD scientist in microbial pathogenesis and developmental immunology.

Career Path: Where do your fellows go after fellowship?

Physician graduates of pediatric residency programs are prepared for board eligibility in Pediatric Infectious Diseases and careers in academic pediatric infectious diseases.  Trainees pursue patient-oriented or laboratory research, develops medical educations skills, and provides clinical subspecialty care to patients.  Clinical rotations include two children’s hospitals, and emphasize training in diagnosis and management of common childhood infections in the immunocompomised host and pediatric HIV in both inpatient and out patient settings.

Additional Information: The Department of Pediatrics of the University of Minnesota and its integrated hospitals have a long-standing tradition of excellence in the medical care of children and in the enhancement of this care through research and education.  The faculty of this department are committed to the continuation of all elements of this tradition.  The purpose of our pediatric fellowship program is derived from the central mission of this faculty to provide optimal health care for children.  An integral part of this mission is the training of pediatricians fully equipped to perpetuate and advance the skills and knowledge necessary for this provision of quality care to the children of this region and beyond.

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship Web Site