Curriculum

Laboratory rotations in the first year of the program include bench time in each section of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratories. Following these rotations, Fellows should understand the clinical importance, performance, and technical aspects of microbiology tests, as well as the significance of major human pathogens, and common laboratory problems.

Following an initial introductory period, Fellows are expected to rotate on-call for laboratory problems, special requests, and clinical consultation. Fellows also routinely present laboratory rounds and interact with Pathologists and Infectious Disease physicians at clinical conferences and seminars. 

The second year of the program is typically devoted to rotations with Adult and Pediatric Infectious Disease, Infection Prevention, ID Pharmacy, and the public health and laboratory management components.

Year 1

• Specimen Processing and Gram Stains (1 week)
• Introduction to Identification Procedures (2 weeks)
• Blood Cultures (including Automated Blood Culture Systems, Positive Blood Cultures, and Blood Isolators (3 weeks)
• Exudate Cultures (Sterile and Non-sterile) (2 weeks) 
• Surveillance Cultures (1 week)
• Genital Cultures (1 week)
• Respiratory Cultures (1 week)
• Throat Cultures (1 week)
• Legionella Cultures (1 week)
• Stool Cultures
• Urine Cultures (2 weeks)
• Media Preparation and Quality Control (1 week)
• Anaerobic Cultures (2 weeks)
• Special Antibiotic Studies (including Kirby Bauer Disk Diffusion, Automated Susceptibility Testing, Quantitative [MIC-based] Susceptibility Testing) (4 weeks)
• Mycobacteriology (4 weeks)
• Mycology (4 weeks)
• Parasitology (4 weeks)
• Virology (including molecular testing for Chlamydia and N. gonorrhea) (6 weeks)
• Molecular Methods (4 weeks)
• Serology (including infectious disease serology [e.g. HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis] and classical immunology [RF, ANA, Ig's, C']) (4 weeks)

Year 2

• Adult Infectious Disease Service (4 weeks)
• Pediatric Infectious Disease Service (4 weeks)
• Infection Prevention (4 weeks)
• Public Health Microbiology (2 weeks)
• Laboratory Administration & Management (4 weeks)
• Infectious Disease Pharmacy/Antimicrobial Stewardship (2 weeks)

Research

Research projects can be performed at any time during the two-year program, but is typically performed in the second year. Although not mandatory, it is expected that research projects are suitable for presentation at a local, regional, or national conferences and lead to a formal publication. Fellows are strongly encouraged to apply for funding opportunities to support their research projects.