Fellowship Program
At Duke University, we have trained exceptional fellows for 40 years. Our goal is simple: to develop outstanding pediatric ID specialists who will be future leaders in both clinical care and research. The breadth and depth of our division, department, and institution are leveraged each day to develop training plans that are flexible and customized to the unique needs and goals of each fellow. Duke University is one of the leading medical centers in the world, providing a diversity of patients and training resources to our fellows. Fellowships in pediatric ID are 3 years in length, with 2 years dedicated to scholarly research. Therefore, while our fellowship program provides in-depth clinical training, there is also much dedicated emphasis on the development of research skills so that fellows are equipped with the tools necessary to secure top faculty positions or employment.
Medical Student Elective
The Pediatric Infectious Diseases elective (PEDS-421C) is strongly recommended as a four-week rotation, although shorter rotations (2-3 weeks) may be considered upon written request to the Division Chief. The rotation focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term follow-up of infections in children. Topics covered through clinical or lecture-based teaching include the presentation of common pediatric anti-infective therapies, use of the microbiology laboratory, and the principles of immunization. Teaching occurs in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and the student is encouraged to play an active role in the infectious diseases patient care team. For information, please email the Interim Division Chief at michael.j.smith@duke.edu.
Students interested in research related to pediatric infectious diseases are encouraged to contact the division chief or the appropriate faculty member to discuss the availability of a research rotation or project. Whenever possible, the division will try to accommodate such requests but placement in such rotations is not guaranteed. For more information, see Medical Students Opportunities, Fourth Year.
Resident Elective
This is a four-week elective during which residents actively participate in clinical care on both pediatric ID inpatient services. Whenever possible, the resident sees the patients and develops a diagnosis and treatment plan prior to discussion with the rest of the consult team. The resident participates in inpatient rounds, see outpatients in the pediatric ID clinic and attends teaching conferences.
Residents interested in pediatric ID research are encouraged to contact the Division Chief or the appropriate faculty member to discuss the availability of a research rotation or project. There are many exciting possibilities for research despite the constraint of the resident clinical schedule. Whenever possible, the division will try to accommodate such requests but placement is not guaranteed.