MedStar Health Georgetown University/Washington Hospital Center Program

The Infectious Disease Fellowship Program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center offers a comprehensive 2-year training experience designed to prepare fellows for excellence in clinical practice. The program is based in the largest and busiest hospital in Washington, D.C., which provides a robust clinical experience in a level I trauma center and home to specialty institutes.

Program Overview

This fellowship is unique due to its relationship with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), enabling fellows to participate in shared didactic curriculum and case conferences with renowned experts. The program accommodates two fellows per year, providing extensive exposure to diverse infectious diseases through various rotations, including a dedicated month for highly immunocompromised patients at the NIH and pediatric infectious diseases at Children’s National Medical Center 1.

Curriculum

The curriculum encompasses approximately seven months of inpatient consult experience per year, structured as follows:

• First Year: 3.5 months on the general consult team, 2.5 months on the transplant/orthopedic and device infection team, and 1 month at NIH.
• Second Year: 4 months on the general consult team, 2.5 months on the transplant/orthopedic and device infection team, and 0.5 months on the pediatric infectious diseases consult service.

The program includes a detailed didactic component, featuring:

• Regularly scheduled lectures and presentations, including a monthly HIV lecture series and departmental grand rounds.
• Case conferences shared with NIH and Georgetown.
• Educational opportunities beyond clinical training, such as a microbiology hands-on course at NIH and conference attendance funding.

Fellows also gain access to a wide range of resources including an on-site microbiology laboratory and funding for research support, allowing for a deep dive into the practical and theoretical aspects of infectious diseases 1.

Unique Program Aspects

Several aspects contribute to the fellowship's distinctiveness:

• Integration with the Ryan White-funded HIV clinic offers fellows the chance to work within an interdisciplinary team, enhancing care for a large outpatient cohort.
• Being a designated Ebola Treatment Center, the program emphasizes disaster preparedness, which proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Small faculty-to-fellow ratio ensures dedicated mentorship and educational engagement.

Additionally, fellows receive substantial financial support for educational activities, including funding for attendance at prominent conferences like IDWeek and courses aimed at enhancing competences in antimicrobial stewardship 1.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program is known to be competitive; it welcomes international medical graduates as part of its cohort. The program sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas, providing necessary support for foreign applicants to secure their training positions 1.

Application Requirements

Applicants need to present specific qualifications for consideration:

• Completion of an accredited residency program in Internal Medicine.
• No maximum failed Step exam criteria is defined, making the program potentially accommodating for various applicant backgrounds.
• The program typically considers candidates within a specified graduation time from medical school.

This structured yet flexible approach in application helps to nurture a diverse and comprehensive fellowship environment 1.

Recent Graduates and Future Opportunities

Fellows graduate with a wealth of experience, positioned to enter private practice, academia, or positions within the industry. The program’s alumni have a proven track record of success across various domains of infectious diseases, further enhancing the fellowship's appeal to new applicants 4.