Transplant ID/Immunocompromised Infectious Diseases
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) is home to the Stephenson Cancer Center - the state's only NCI designated cancer center. Infectious diseases fellows have the opportunity to care for patients with a wide variety of infections seen in the setting of stem cell transplantation, CAR-T cell therapy, acute leukemias, lymphomas and other malignancies.
In addition, we also collaborate with a very active Solid Organ Transplant Program and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), an internationally recognized center dedicated to the study and care of patients with autoimmune diseases exposing fellows to a wide range of infectious diseases in this unique patient population.
HIV/AIDS
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is responsible for the care of the largest number of patients living with HIV in the state. The robust program is composed of several healthcare professionals with expertise in the management of HIV, case management, mental health research coordinator, and other services. We work in close collaboration with Variety Care, RAIN, ACIS, and the New Hope Wellness Clinic.
We are part of the South-Central AIDS Education and Training Center Program (AETC) which provides fellows with opportunities to participate in educational activities in the state and region. In addition, the section is involved in the care of patients living with HIV who have been deprived from freedom as well as educational activities through project ECHO.
Educational
Fellows are part of a multidisciplinary team that in the inpatient setting consists of medical and pharmacy students, Internal Medicine residents, and ID and PharmD faculty. The ID fellows provide direction and supervision to most members of the team. Fellows can also participate in the didactic sessions for the Internal Medicine Residency Program, Medicine Grand Rounds, AETC, and be part of committees involved in education and policy making such as the Residency Council.
Public and Global Health
Fellows have the opportunity to work with vulnerable populations in the HIV clinic, refugee clinic, and STI clinic. There are many opportunities to work with faculty from the Hudson's College of Public Health in public health-related QI and research projects. Several conferences related to health equity, social determinants of health, implicit bias, and care in other parts of the globe are covered in online modules and in the didactic sessions.
The ID section works closely with both the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) providing fellows with research opportunities. Personnel from the Infectious Disease Prevention and Response Service and from the Tuberculosis Branch of the OSDH participate in our didactic session by providing quarterly updates and a TB-dedicated curriculum, respectively. There are also plenty of opportunities to work for the vulnerable populations through the Office of Interdisciplinary Programs.
Health Administration
Fellows have a dedicated rotation in Antimicrobial Stewardship, OPAT, and Infection Prevention. During the rotation, fellows complete the Primer on Healthcare Epidemiology, Infection Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship offered by the SHEA and IDSA's Antimicrobial Stewardship Curriculum for ID Fellows. Fellows also have hands-on experience under the supervision of ID faculty and pharmacists and the opportunity to conduct QI or research projects.
Fellows also have the opportunity to become active members of the Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship Committees in both the VA and OU Medical Center.