Infectious Diseases Fellowship at Rush University Medical Canter, Chicago, Illinois

Fellowship in Infectious Diseases

SPECIFIC PROGRAM CONTENT

B. Microbiology and Laboratory Experiences

1. All fellows will rotate through a Clinical Microbiology Course, run by Mary Hayden, M.D., Director of Clinical Microbiology Laboratories at Rush and Patricia Herrera, MD of Stroger. During the first week of the fellowship, new fellows receive approximately 3 hours of introductory lectures by Dr. Hayden, followed by tours of the clinical microbiology labs in each of the two hospitals and instruction on accessing microbiology results using the hospitals’ clinical computer systems. Fellows then participate in a series of some 30 lectures on focused topics in clinical microbiology during the two-year program. A syllabus of required reading assignments will supplement the didactic sessions and should be independently completed by the fellow. Each session will focus on a specific area of microbiologic diagnostic testing, interpretation, utilization, and evaluation, including the following:

Bacteriology: specimen processing, gram stain, identification, susceptibility testing, and treatment of important aerobic and anaerobic human pathogens
Mycobacteriology: specimen processing, acid fast smears, culture reading, DNA probe identification, BACTEC and agar proportion susceptibility testing
Mycology: specimen processing, direct smears including KOH, Calcofluor, Giemsa, fungal identification, fungal serologic techniques
Parasitology: specimen processing, wet mounts, trichrome and Giemsa smears
Virology: virus culture and serology, retrovirology
Molecular diagnostics, including qualitative PCR and probe testing, viral load testing, molecular strain typing

2. A 4-hour gram stain workshop consisting of a one-hour didactic lecture and a 3-hour wet lab is held each year. Fellows make and interpret gram stains of a variety of clinical specimens in order to attain basic competency in this technique.

3. Fellows will supplement their clinical microbiology experience by joining Microbiology Rounds for 30-60 minutes Monday through Friday when they are rotating on the Rush Infectious Diseases Consultation Service and on Mondays and Wednesdays when rotating on the Stroger Infectious Diseases Consultation Service. During these rounds interesting or problematic microbiologic issues at each bench are reviewed. Approximately once a month the fellow will present an actual case on the service and the microbiologic issues relevant to this case will be discussed.

4. Additional laboratory is available in the context of laboratory-based research projects in which fellows may elect to participate (see Research Experiences).



Introduction Fellowship Training Goals & Objectives Fellowship Research Training Goals & Objectives Apply Online Facilities & Resources Program Content Patient Care Experience Microbiology and Lab Experiences Teaching Experience, Didactic Education, & Conferences Research and Scholarly Activities Fellow Advisor Program Faculty Evaluation of Fellow Competence Evaluation of Program & Faculty

Section of Infectious Diseases

Graduate Medical Education

Residency and Fellowship Programs

Benefits

Location

Continuing Medical Education

Rush Medical College

FOR RUSH EMPLOYEES