Ohio State University Hospital Program

Overview of the Fellowship Program

The Infectious Diseases Fellowship program at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is a two-year training program designed to prepare fellows for a career as clinical consultants in infectious diseases, with a strong foundation in research and medical education. The program is aimed at advancing the clinical skills, scientific knowledge, and patient-care attitudes of its participants within a diverse clinical and academic environment.

This comprehensive fellowship program is integrated with various aspects of infectious diseases practice and research, leveraging the capabilities of one of the largest tertiary care centers in the United States, housing numerous specialized services and multidisciplinary teams.

Curriculum

The curriculum is structured to include extensive clinical rotations and research opportunities. The first year consists of 34 weeks of dedicated inpatient service, with a mix of general infectious diseases cases and specialized services such as solid organ transplant and oncology-related infectious diseases. In the second year, fellows will tailor their rotations towards specific subspecialty interests while continuing clinical duties.

Fellows will also gain experience through outpatient clinic sessions, performing continuity care for general infectious diseases and HIV patients. This hands-on experience is supplemented with opportunities to participate in hospital epidemiology and antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Inpatient Services

Fellows rotate through six dedicated inpatient services at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, including three general infectious diseases services and specialized services for solid organ transplants and oncology cases. This exposure provides a breadth of experience in managing complex and varied infectious disease cases.

Research Opportunities

The Infectious Diseases Fellowship fosters a strong emphasis on research. Each fellow is encouraged to identify a research mentor during orientation and is expected to complete a research project in their first year, culminating in a presentation at a major conference. This is further developed in the second year, where the fellow prepares a manuscript for publication based on their research findings.

The fellowship is affiliated with the Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials Unit, which conducts federally sponsored research and pharmaceutical trials, allowing fellows to engage in impactful studies and develop skills in clinical research methodologies.

Educational Conferences

The program features a structured calendar of educational conferences and seminars that provide fellows with essential knowledge and critical evaluation skills. Weekly case conferences, journal clubs, and seminars are organized to stimulate dialog about recent research findings, case presentations, and ongoing quality improvement projects.

Additional conferences focus on various topics within infectious diseases, ensuring that fellows stay updated on current trends and practices in the field.

Application Process

The application process for the fellowship is competitive, and the program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applications are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) starting July 1, with a deadline of September 30 each year. Applicants must include a completed application, curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, and documentation of USMLE (or NBOME) scores.

Fellows can be sponsored for both J-1 and H-1B visas, making the program accessible to qualified international medical graduates (IMGs).

Competitive Nature of the Program

The Infectious Diseases Fellowship program is known to be highly competitive, attracting top medical graduates from across the nation and internationally. The program is considered friendly towards DOs and IMGs, providing a welcoming environment that values diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Unique Attributes of the Program

One unique aspect of the fellowship is the opportunity for fellows to engage in the management of coinfections and the implications of complex polypharmacy, especially in patients with compromised immune systems or multi-drug resistant organisms.

Additionally, fellows are involved in various community outreach initiatives, enhancing their exposure to public health aspects of infectious diseases.

Training Sites

The fellowship provides training at Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center, which includes over 2,260 beds across multiple specialized facilities, allowing fellows to work in diverse clinical settings.

These facilities include a Level 1 trauma center, a comprehensive cancer center, and specialized hospitals for cardiovascular and transplant patients, thereby enriching the fellows' educational experience through comprehensive patient exposure.