Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center Program
Location:
Hershey, PASpecialty:
Infectious diseaseACGME Code:
1464111016The Infectious Diseases Fellowship at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is a distinguished two-year program that is ACGME-accredited, with an option for an additional third year based on individual needs. The fellowship has the capacity to admit two fellows each year, aimed at nurturing future leaders in the field of infectious diseases.
This program is structured to provide candidates with a rigorous and comprehensive training environment. Trainees will develop their expertise across various infectious diseases, managing both inpatient and outpatient cases. Clinical experiences cover a wide breadth of conditions such as general infections, including COVID-19, skin and soft tissue infections, cardiac device infections, bloodstream infections, and many others. The program also emphasizes specific demographics like people living with HIV in comprehensive care clinics, infections related to solid organ transplants, cancer-related infections, and postoperative infections.
Fellows will actively participate in health system services like antimicrobial stewardship, hospital epidemiology, infection prevention, employee health, and involvement in special pathogen preparedness initiatives. The program integrates a significant amount of research and educational activities, providing a foundational understanding of clinical research methodologies and literature reviews.
Curriculum
Fellows will adhere to the Infectious Diseases Core Curriculum, which prepares them for the ABIM Board Examination in infectious diseases. The curriculum is flexible enough to allow fellows to tailor clinical or research months according to their individual career aspirations. Each fellow will meet with the program director at the start of the fellowship to arrange their first 12 months of training, which will predominantly be clinical, followed by an opportunity for clinical or laboratory research during the second year.
Clinical Rotations
The program's clinical training is robust, consisting of core inpatient clinical rotations, which total a minimum of 12 months. These core rotations are distributed among general infectious diseases, orthopedic infectious diseases, solid organ transplant infectious diseases, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant infectious diseases. In addition, fellows are required to attend a weekly continuity clinic, where they see patients regularly, providing comprehensive care and management.
Elective rotations can be customized, including experiences at UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg Hospital for community-based ID exposure, outpatient infectious disease clinics, and microbiology education. The fellows will also benefit from hands-on participation in inpatient consult services, where they lead teams in assessing and managing patient care.
Research Opportunities
Research is a significant component of the fellowship, with each fellow expected to complete at least one clinical quality improvement project and one research project during their training. Publications stemming from these projects are encouraged, with the potential for case reports and clinical improvement findings to contribute to the body of knowledge in infectious diseases.
Application and Competitiveness
The application process for this fellowship necessitates submission through the ERAS System, and while specific requirements regarding graduation year or exam failures are not explicitly stated, the program is competitive. The fellowship aims to attract a diverse pool of applicants, including those from DO and IMG backgrounds, fostering an inclusive training environment.
Visa Support
The program is equipped to sponsor various types of visas for international fellows. This includes J-1 visas for exchange visitors as well as H-1B visas for specialty occupations, ensuring that international medical graduates can securely participate in the fellowship.
Wellness and Support Systems
Recognizing the demands of medical training, Penn State Health focuses on the wellness of its residents and fellows. Institutional resources for emotional, physical, and social wellness are available, alongside community-building initiatives that assist fellows in transitioning to life in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Diversity and Inclusion
The program prides itself on its commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion, with a dedicated Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that coordinates various initiatives aimed at fostering an inclusive training environment.
The Infectious Diseases Fellowship at Penn State Health provides an extensive and enriching training experience designed to cultivate the next generation of experts in infectious diseases. Through its diverse curriculum, robust research opportunities, and supportive environment, fellows are well-prepared to meet the challenges of this vital field.
Website
Director
Tonya J Crook, MD, MSAssociate Professor, Fellowship Program Director Appointed Since June 2018Coordinator
Program
Program Size
Composition
Quality of Life
First year average hours per week:
61hrsFirst year max cons. hours on duty:
14hrsFirst Year Salary:
$72,324First Year Paid Vacation:
-First Year Paid Sick Leave:
-Training
Fellowship Rate:
-Faculty to Residents Ratio:
3.2XResidents career path:
Admission
Min. Step 2 Score:
-Visa Sponsorship:
-YOG Cutoff:
-Location
Hershey, PA
Housing - Rental Prices
Crime - All Violent Offences
Living in Hershey, PA
Hershey, PA is a charming town known for its chocolate production. Here are some aspects of living in Hershey:
- Crime Rate and Safety: Hershey is generally considered a safe town with a lower crime rate compared to larger cities.
- Fun Activities: Residents can enjoy attractions like Hersheypark, Hershey's Chocolate World, and various events hosted by the Hershey Entertainment Complex.
- Climate: Hershey experiences all four seasons with warm summers and cold winters.
- Races and Population: The population of Hershey is diverse, with a mix of various races and ethnicities.
- Education: Hershey is home to the Milton Hershey School and several public schools known for their quality education.
- Cost of Living: The cost of living in Hershey is generally higher than the national average, particularly in terms of housing.
- Proximity to Bigger Cities: Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, is about 15 miles away from Hershey and can be reached in approximately 30 minutes by car. Harrisburg offers more city amenities and cultural attractions.
Pros: Charming town with a strong sense of community, abundance of family-friendly activities, and proximity to larger cities.
Cons: Higher cost of living, limited nightlife options compared to big cities.