UPMC Medical Education Program

The Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh offers a comprehensive training experience designed to prepare fellows for both clinical and academic careers in pediatric infectious diseases. The program spans three years and is ACGME-accredited, emphasizing a well-rounded approach to both clinical practice and research.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship curriculum is diverse, covering numerous essential areas: clinical infectious diseases, transplant and immunocompromised infectious diseases, bench and basic science research, quality improvement, antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention, clinical epidemiology, and medical education. These components are structured to foster both theoretical understanding and practical skill development in the fellows' respective areas of interest 1.

Clinical Training

Clinical training takes place at a variety of sites within the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and other UPMC hospitals. Fellows gain exposure to a wide breadth of clinical scenarios, which is critical for developing the expertise needed to navigate complex infectious diseases in pediatric patients 1.

Didactics and Conferences

Fellowship training includes various didactic sessions designed to enrich learning. Notable conferences include:

• Fellows Teaching Conference: This fellow-run conference occurs weekly and addresses the curriculum for the Pediatric Infectious Diseases subspecialty board exam.
• Journal Club: Held bi-monthly, this conference involves the critical review of recent literature in the infectious disease field.
• Case Conference: Weekly conferences present educational cases from the inpatient consult team, allowing fellows to engage in meaningful discussions.
• Infectious Diseases Grand Rounds: Collaboratively held with the adult infectious disease division at UPMC, these meetings encompass didactic discussions on infectious disease cases, guidelines, and emerging issues such as epidemic crises 2.

Research Opportunities

Research is a core component of the fellowship, with a range of clinical, bench, and translational research opportunities available under the guidance of experienced mentors. The program also encourages fellows to extend their research activities to a fourth year if they desire, facilitating a stronger focus on preparing for an academic career 1.

Meet Our Current Fellows

The fellowship emphasizes a supportive learning environment. Current fellows come from diverse backgrounds and have unique interests within pediatric infectious diseases, including antimicrobial stewardship and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance. Engaging with peers allows fellows to share experiences and insights that enrich their training 3.

Application Process

The application to the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship is through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and ERAS. Applicants must submit:

• Completed ERAS application
• Photograph
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Dean's letter
• Medical school transcript
• USMLE Scores
• Letter of recommendation from the Pediatric Residency Program Director
• Two additional letters of recommendation
• ECFMG certificate for international graduates
• Copy of visa for international graduates
• Pediatric Residency Completion Certificate (upon entry to the program)

U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for application, and international graduates are encouraged to apply, with visa supports available for J-1 and H-1B visa types 4.

Competitiveness and Selection Criteria

The Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship is highly competitive, attracting applicants from various backgrounds, including DO and IMG candidates. The program values diverse experience and perspectives brought by international applicants and encourages all qualified physicians to apply 4.