Medical Microbiology Fellowship

Overview

The Medical Microbiology Fellowship at Mass General, a one-year, ACGME-approved program, provides advance training to prepare pathologists and infectious disease specialists to serve as directors of a clinical microbiology laboratory. Our graduates possess an in-depth understanding of medical microbiology, including the selection, validation, and interpretation of diagnostic microbiology tests. Our trainees will also be capable of managing a high volume, complex diagnostic laboratory. To these ends, the program will provide a comprehensive curriculum consisting of didactics, rotation through all sections of the clinical microbiology laboratory as well as rotations with various clinical services to gain an understanding of how testing in the microbiology laboratory informs clinical decision making. Particular emphasis will be placed on laboratory operation and management. Graduates of this program may choose to develop an area of research in microbiology that will prepare them for a career as a laboratory director at an academic health center.

Requirements

Fellows in Medical Microbiology must complete either:

1. Residency training in anatomic, clinical, or combined anatomic/clinical pathology in a U.S. based training program, with primary certification or eligibility by the American Board of Pathology
   OR
2. A U.S. primary residence in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics followed by completion of an ACGME accredited fellowship in Infectious Diseases

Applicants must be eligible for a Massachusetts medical license

Curriculum

The medical microbiology fellowship curriculum is designed to be completed within 12 months.

The following table shows a sample curriculum for the clinical year:

• Bacteriology (12 weeks)
• Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (12 weeks)
• Molecular Microbiology/Virology (4 weeks)
• Mycology/Mycobacteriology/Parasitology (9 weeks)
• Infectious Disease Consultation (4 weeks if Pathology-trained)
• Infection Control (48 weeks (longitudinal))

How to Apply

Fellowship application form, additional application materials, and inquires should be submitted by email to: MGBPathologyfellowships@mgb.org

We recruit two years out and will begin accepting applications in April for the corresponding academic year. There is no deadline to apply; we will continue accepting applications until we fill all positions. In the summer, information on interviews will be given to selected applicants following review of a complete application.

Application Materials

• CAP Standardized Pathology Fellowship Application
• Curriculum Vitae (must be in month/year format 00/0000)
• Personal Statement describing career goals and surgical pathology interests
• USMLE Steps 1, 2, & 3 Score Report- (Canadian physicians and Doctors of Osteopathy who are eligible for licensure may substitute documentation of successful completion of LMCC/MCCQE and COMLEX examinations, respectively, in lieu of USMLE examinations)
• Passport-style photo
• Three Letters of Recommendation (one letter must be from your current program director or department chair)
• Letters of Recommendation should be emailed by the letter writer to:  MGBPathologyfellowships@mgb.org
• Copy of MD Degree (International medical graduates only)
• Copy of ECFMG Certificate (International medical graduate only)

Fellowships and Faculty Contacts

John Branda, MD, Program Director, MGH

Manfred Brigl, MD, Program Director, BWH