Pediatrics and Medicine Allergy-Immunology Fellowship Training Program
Pediatrics and Medicine Allergy-Immunology Fellowship Training Program
About Our Program
History
The allergy-immunology fellowship program was founded at the Medical College of Georgia,
receiving approval on July 18, 1977, by Drs. Betty B. Wray and Chester T. Stafford.
The program is known throughout the United States and in many parts of the world for
excellence in patient care, excellence in academics and clinical research, and for
training superb clinician-educators in the subspecialty of allergy-immunology. Most
graduates of the program are actively engaged in community practice; some have volunteer,
part-time, or full-time positions in academic medical centers.
Mission
The mission of the allergy-immunology fellowship program at MCG at Augusta University
is to prepare specialists in allergy-immunology to provide excellent, expert medical
care for patients of all ages with allergic and immunologic disorders, to be respected
allergy-immunology consultants, clinician-educators, and to be self-directed lifelong
learners staying abreast of developments in the field.
Vision
Graduates of this Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited
2-year training program are recognized as outstanding clinicians, consultants, and
educators in the subspecialty of allergy-immunology. Graduates who have completed
three years of training are also recognized as excellent physician-scientists in the
field of allergy-immunology.
Prerequisites for application for fellowship training
The applicant must have successfully completed a program in internal medicine and/or
pediatrics accredited by the ACGME or RCPSC by the time of beginning fellowship training.
At present, we do not have a “research pathway” that under certain circumstances would
allow people to enter fellowship after 2 years of residency.
The applicant must also meet MCG institutional requirements for resident eligibility.
Successful candidates will demonstrate preparedness for fellowship training, as well
as ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, motivation, and
integrity.
The program does not discriminate with regard to sex, race, age, religion, color,
national origin, disability, or any other applicable legally-protected status.
The program uses the ERAS application system and the NRMP fellowship match.
The program
This is a completely integrated pediatric and internal medicine program, providing
experience with and progressive responsibility for patients of all ages throughout
the entire fellowship.
It uses a community practice model for scheduling, with 6-month rotation blocks.
Fellows see patients, participate in clinical and/or bench research projects, make
presentations at state, regional and national meetings, and publish articles in peer-reviewed
journals and books.
Within the division there has been major research emphasis on development of asthma
in children, adverse drug reactions, allergic fungal sinusitis, allergen characterization,
and education.
Fellows are also encouraged to develop their own interests and projects, and may develop
collaborative projects with other researchers on campus.
Duration and scope of education
The length of the educational program is 24 months. This may be 24 consecutive months
of education (which is the local norm), or (by special arrangement) time spread out
over 36 months that includes a total of 24 months devoted to satisfying the program
requirements. This latter option is for individuals interested in a career as a physician-scientist
(generally, an extramurally-funded medical school faculty member). It requires that
the fellow secure a funding source (e.g., extramural grant) for the extra 12 months
of training, as well as specific approval by the MCG Graduate Medical Education Committee
(GMEC) and the ACGME allergy-immunology residency Review Committee (RC).
If for some reason the fellow cannot complete training in 24 months, an extension
of training can be granted with GMEC approval, provided that there is available funding.
If an extension of more than three months in the educational program is necessary,
it will also be necessary to obtain written approval in advance from the allergy-immunology
RRC.
The program provides complete “cross-training” in the care of patients of all ages
with specific competencies required in asthma, other allergic disorders, immunologic
disorders, and immunodeficiency diseases (see below) in the care of both children
and adults. Patients of all ages are seen in the 3rd floor Medical Office Building
(MOB) site, as would commonly be the case in an allergy-immunology private practice.
All faculty and fellows serve as inpatient consultants to all AUMC services (including
pediatrics and internal medicine). In a given week, the fellow will see patients of
all ages.
In order to graduate from the program, fellows must demonstrate competencies in both
children and adults with asthma, other allergic disorders, immunologic disorders,
and immunodeficiency diseases.
Over the 24 months of training, the fellow will spend at least 50% of time in direct
patient care activities (outpatient and inpatient care, clinical case conferences,
record reviews), at least 25% of time in research and other scholarly activities,
and the remainder of time in other educational activities (including clinical and
academic endeavors).
The program has a substantial andragogic (self-directed, learner-centered) individual
educational commitment, in preparation for life-long postgraduate learning.
Electives are available in laboratory immunology (required), dermatology, rhinology
(ENT), infectious disease (adult, pediatric or a combination), pulmonary medicine
(adult, pediatric or a combination), rheumatology (adult, pediatric or a combination),
and community-based practice. Other electives can be developed as the need arises.
For an elective, the fellow establishes custom goals and objectives based on templates
in this manual, and individual need.
Rotation in allergy-immunology for residents or medical students
An elective in allergy-immunology is available to interested pediatric, internal medicine,
otolaryngology residents who are in training at Augusta University.
A space-available month-long elective in allergy-immunology is also possible for external
pediatric and internal medicine residents in ACGME-accredited training programs at
other institutions. If interested, please contact Ms. Joanie Fichtel, AI Program Administrator, for details well in advance of the anticipated elective
timeframe.
Fourth year medical students at MCG at Augusta University may also select a month-long
elective in allergy-immunology.
CONTACT US
Department of Pediatrics Pediatrics & Medicine Allergy-Immunology Fellowship BG 1009 1120 15th Street Augusta, GA 30912