Henry Ford St. John Hospital Program

The Ascension St. John Hospital Infectious Diseases Fellowship is a prestigious two-year training program located in Michigan at a facility capable of accommodating 770 beds. The program is designed to offer extensive clinical exposure encompassing a wide range of experiences, including management of HIV, hepatitis B and C, care for hematology/oncology patients, travel medicine, and kidney and pancreas transplant recipients. The infrastructure of the hospital boasts comprehensive lab services, enabling on-site assays for antimicrobial levels that are monitored by a dedicated team of clinical pharmacists 1.

The program is structured to facilitate inpatient rotations primarily at the main campus, with certain rotations, such as the bone marrow transplant service, occurring off-campus. Trainees are afforded opportunities to work alongside medical students and rotating residents while receiving supervision from full-time faculty who emphasize educational growth 1.

Clinical Rotations and Training

The training includes diverse inpatient rotations complemented by continuous outpatient exposure through one or two half days a week at adjacent outpatient facilities. The proximity of outpatient clinics enhances the rotations' effectiveness, allowing for timely outpatient practice and oversight by teaching faculty engaged in relevant discussions 1.

Infection Control Experience

Trainees participate in a six-month block dedicated to infection control, where they learn methods of surveillance, outbreak investigation, and analysis of infection rates. Participation in Infection Control Committee meetings is mandatory in the second year, and fellows undertake an epidemiological project under the mentorship of the hospital epidemiologist, culminating in a presentation to the Infection Control Committee 1.

Antimicrobial Stewardship

Recognized as an Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence by the IDSA, fellows engage in a six-month stewardship experience during their second year, which includes attending AMS meetings and undertaking projects that aim to curtail excessive antimicrobial usage. This initiative constitutes a vital part of their training, ensuring they acquire functional skills necessary for effective antimicrobial stewardship 1.

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral component of the fellowship, with fellows commencing project work in their first year under faculty mentorship. Independence in research efforts is encouraged in the second year, with expectations surrounding the presentation of findings at relevant annual meetings, including the Michigan Infectious Diseases Society scientific meeting and the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) 1.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

The fellowship program maintains a competitive stance, welcoming applications through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). While specific advanced requirements related to the candidacy (e.g., year of graduation, minimum USMLE scores) may apply, the program is known to be friendly toward both DO and IMG candidates, allowing for a diversified class composition 1.

Visa Support

The program is vigilant in providing visa assistance for eligible international medical graduates, facilitating sponsorships for various types of visas typically needed to participate in medical training programs in the United States, namely the J-1 and H-1B visa types 1.

Unique Aspects of the Program

Unique features of the program include its emphasis on pharmacological consultations through a collaborative approach between clinical pharmacists and ID specialists, enhancing the educational experience. This approach strengthens the fellows’ learning in clinical decision-making processes related to antimicrobial therapy 1.