Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center Program

The Atrium Health Navicent Infectious Disease Fellowship at the Mercer University School of Medicine is designed to provide comprehensive training in the field of infectious diseases. This is a two-year fellowship program that emphasizes both clinical practice and research, preparing fellows for careers in clinical practice or academic medicine. The fellowship is rooted in an established Infectious Disease Division created in 1985, which has continuously served the middle Georgia community.

Fellows will spend approximately 14 months on the inpatient consult service, 4 months on the outpatient service, and 1 month on a microbiology/pathology rotation. The remaining time is allocated for research and educational endeavors, with fellows maintaining a half-day clinic throughout their fellowship. It is mandatory for fellows to participate in a mentored clinical or laboratory research project.

The clinical training encompasses a broad array of infectious disease scenarios, including participation in outpatient clinics such as the Ryan White HIV clinic, high-risk obstetrics clinic, pediatric infectious disease clinic, travel clinic, and the Atrium Health Navicent Infectious Disease clinic. This extensive exposure equips fellows with diverse clinical skills and comprehensive knowledge in infectious diseases.

Academic Environment and Unique Curriculum

The program emphasizes the development of both clinical and research skills within an academic setting. Weekly conferences and seminars, such as 'Case of the Week', core curriculum conferences, HIV-focused discussions, and journal club sessions, are integral to the fellows' educational experience. These sessions focus on case presentations and the latest literature in infectious diseases, fostering a robust learning environment.

Research Opportunities

Research is a significant aspect of the fellowship, and fellows are encouraged to engage in projects related to the ongoing HIV epidemic, along with other infectious diseases. The program not only supports clinical research but also provides resources for fellows to present their work at state and national conferences.

Training Sites

The Medical Center Navicent Health is Georgia's second-largest hospital and serves as a major tertiary referral center for Central Georgia. This facility offers a unique patient mix that exposes fellows to a wide range of infectious diseases, including complex and uncommon cases. The hospital's advanced facilities further enhance the training experience.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The fellowship provides visa support for both J-1 and H-1B visa applicants, accommodating international applicants. The program is perceived as moderately competitive, welcoming osteopathic (DO) and international medical graduates (IMG) who demonstrate a strong commitment to the field of infectious diseases.

Application Requirements

Applicants to the Infectious Disease Fellowship must meet certain requirements, although specifics such as year of graduation or maximum failed STEP exams are not explicitly detailed. However, completing a residency in Internal Medicine is a foundational prerequisite for eligibility.

Living in Macon, Georgia

Macon, a vibrant city with a population of around 90,000, is positioned in the geographical center of Georgia, offering a modest cost of living and an array of cultural and recreational activities. Residents can enjoy local events such as the Cherry Blossom Festival and access to a variety of museums and outdoor activities, enhancing the fellowship experience outside the clinical environment.

The combination of fellowship training in a large urban hospital and living in a welcoming community makes the Atrium Health Navicent Infectious Disease Fellowship an attractive choice for medical professionals pursuing a specialization in infectious diseases.