Pediatrics & Medicine Allergy-Immunology Fellowship Program

Duration & 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).
• Augusta also offers a Certificate Program and a Master’s Degree in Clinical and Translational Science that, with additional funding, could be undertaken in an extension of fellowship experience. 
• 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.