Carilion Clinic-Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Program

The Carilion Clinic-Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Program in Infectious Diseases offers a comprehensive two-year fellowship that equips fellows with specialized training in infectious diseases, preparing them for a successful career in this critical field of medicine. The program emphasizes educational excellence, clinical practice, and research endeavors, all within a supportive and collaborative environment.

Mission, Goals, and Strengths

The mission of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship is firmly rooted in education, community service, research, and continuous academic growth. The program emphasizes compassionate care and has an integrated approach to teaching that fosters an environment of knowledge and self-learning. Key goals include equipping fellows with the necessary skills to diagnose and manage a diverse set of infectious diseases, along with developing clinical judgment for patient-centered care. Additionally, a strengths-based approach highlights collaboration between clinical faculty from various disciplines, enhancing patient safety and quality improvement measures 1.

Fellowship Structure

The program accommodates two fellows annually, ensuring individualized training under the guidance of nine clinical faculty members and a non-clinical Ph.D. faculty member. The fellows have the opportunity to work in various settings, treating a diverse population throughout southwestern Virginia and neighboring regions, including parts of West Virginia and North Carolina 1.

Curriculum

The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to include consultative clinical care, structured didactic sessions, and a focus on continuity of care for a wide range of infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. The fellowship comprises both inpatient consults and outpatient antimicrobial therapy, with a commitment to research that is both clinical and quality-driven 2. Didactic sessions include case conferences, journal clubs, and a series of core lectures. Importantly, these sessions are structured weekly, ensuring that fellows remain current with emerging research and best practices in infectious diseases.

Block Schedule

Fellows rotate through an organized block schedule that varies between the two years. During the first year (PGY4), fellows typically engage in 8-9 blocks of inpatient ID consults, followed by 4 blocks concentrating on clinical research. For the second year (PGY5), the emphasis shifts to 4-5 blocks of inpatient ID consults while allowing for more extensive clinical research opportunities 2.

Research Opportunities

Research is a significant facet of the fellowship, encouraging fellows to engage in quality-driven clinical research projects. The program provides the necessary support and resources, enabling fellows to participate actively in ongoing studies and initiate their own research endeavors. Faculty involvement in notable public health initiatives, such as the CDC's management of the Ebola outbreak and fungal meningitis incidents, underlines the program's commitment to impactful research 1.

Visa Support

The Carilion Clinic specifically sponsors J-1 visas for international graduates, ensuring that such candidates have the necessary support to participate in the fellowship. Additionally, ECFMG certification is a requirement for international applicants, emphasizing the program's rigorous standards for fellowship eligibility 3.

Application Requirements

Application to the fellowship is through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), and candidates must meet several criteria including board eligibility in internal medicine. The program values strong communication skills and encourages applicants to have completed a residency within the last five years, alongside three letters of recommendation, one of which ideally comes from the residency program director. Research experience, although desirable, is not a strict requirement 3.

Competitiveness and Inclusiveness

The Infectious Diseases Fellowship is regarded as highly competitive but remains welcoming to osteopathic and international medical graduates. The program ensures that all candidates have equal opportunities during the application process, maintaining a focus on selecting individuals who embody the values of compassion and dedication in medicine 3.

Teaching Opportunities

Fellows are actively involved in teaching medical students, residents, and physician assistant students, facilitating a collaborative learning environment. These opportunities contribute to the fellows’ professional development while fostering a culture of mentorship and academic growth 1.