Louisiana State University (Shreveport) Program

The Infectious Disease Fellowship at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport offers a comprehensive two-year ACGME accredited program that is designed to train physicians in clinical infectious diseases, research, and laboratory diagnostics. The program hosts three fellows and prides itself on providing a supportive educational environment led by board-certified faculty members who are deeply committed to teaching and mentorship.

Fellows will engage in clinical consultations at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and gain insight through interactions in outpatient clinics that specialize in various infectious diseases, including the Viral Therapeutics Clinic for hepatitis, the Viral Disease Clinic for HIV patients, and the General Infectious Disease Clinic. The unit typically handles 10 to 15 new consults weekly, amassing approximately 450 consults per fellow annually, fostering a robust learning experience.

Curriculum Structure

The fellowship is structured into two distinct years: the first year primarily focuses on advancing core competencies in clinical infectious diseases, initiating a research project, and acquiring laboratory skills through a month-long rotation in clinical microbiology. In the second year, emphasis shifts towards in-depth clinical practice alongside research continuation, with an elective rotation in pediatric infectious diseases encouraged.

Fellows are matched with a faculty mentor who becomes integral to their training, supervising their clinical duties, and guiding their research efforts. Throughout the fellowship, there are scheduled rotations within the hospital’s Infection Control department, offering crucial insights into infection control principles and hospital epidemiology.

Clinical Rotations and Hands-on Experience

During the fellowship, extensive hands-on experience is a pillar of the training. Fellows work not only at Ochsner LSU Health but also at the Overton Brooks Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The training sites include multiple outpatient clinics where fellows can track patient progress over time, thereby enhancing their patient care skills. Each clinic focuses on distinct infectious disease challenges, amplifying the fellow's exposure to diverse clinical scenarios.

Additionally, the fellows engage in diagnostic clinical microbiology labs, developing proficiency in identifying various pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which is fundamental in the field of infectious disease.

Research Opportunities

The fellowship incorporates a significant research component. Fellows are expected to initiate their research projects early in their training, benefiting from mentorship from experienced faculty. The program emphasizes the importance of research in improving treatment methods and educating the public about infectious diseases. Financial support is provided for fellows to attend national conferences, such as Infectious Disease Week, promoting networking and professional development opportunities.

Unique Aspects of the Program

A distinctive feature of the LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Fellowship is the program's commitment to using innovative educational tools. The program incorporates the AMA CME Competency Education teaching modules and conducts didactic lectures aimed at addressing physician well-being and lifestyle health, contributing to a holistic approach to medical education. Mindfulness and relaxation lectures are also available to aid fellows in stress management.

The fellowship promotes interactivity by involving fellows in hospital committees, specifically related to infection control and antibiotic review, empowering them to partake in the decision-making process for hospital practices.

Visa Support

The program is supportive of international medical graduates, as it offers sponsorship for J-1 visas, making it accessible to a broader cohort of candidates who may not hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. This inclusivity increases the pool of qualified candidates who can bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the fellowship.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

Admission to the fellowship is competitive, yet the program maintains a friendly stance toward graduates from DO and international medical graduates (IMGs). Special application requirements include having completed residency training in internal medicine prior to entry into the fellowship. Candidates who graduated more than five years prior to application may need to provide additional documentation, and the program typically does not accept applicants with a history of failing any STEP exam more than twice.