IDSA and CDC Launch New Disease Detective Training for Infectious Diseases Physicians
The Infectious Diseases Society of America in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has selected 11 ID programs for the first Joint ID/CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service Fellowship. Each of the 11 programs will serve as options for the ID fellowship track for the joint IDSA and CDC training program. The selected programs have demonstrated strong relationships with nearby state and local health departments and an in-depth focus on public health.
“Following a transformative year in infectious diseases, medicine and science, the time is now to investigate and control infectious disease outbreaks and train physicians on how to respond to natural disasters and other threats to the public’s health,” said Daniel P. McQuillen, MD, FIDSA, president of IDSA. “By selecting these ID fellowship programs for the first joint ID/EIS fellowship program and partnering with the CDC, we are building our community, investing in the next generation of ID physicians and helping to prepare for outbreaks of the future. There has never been a more pivotal time to bring awareness to public and global health research.”
With funding from CDC, IDSA launched this joint pilot program for ID physicians who are interested in CDC’s EIS. The four-year pilot program streamlines a career path for applicants interested in both ID and applied epidemiology training, and starts with two years of ID fellowship followed immediately by two years of EIS training. The innovative training allows ID fellows to get an early start on research and collaboration with their EIS assignment.
“We are excited to be working with IDSA to bring this joint program opportunity to ID physicians,” said Eric Pevzner, PhD, MPH, chief of CDC’s EIS and Epidemiology Workforce Branch. “This is another example of innovative approaches to strengthen the public health workforce and our ability to detect and respond to outbreaks and other public health emergencies.”
Funding for the pilot program is provided to IDSA under a broader cooperative agreement between the Society and CDC that began in May 2020 with a focus on responding to COVID-19. The collaboration brings numerous medical specialties together to share resources and to provide the latest information and guidance on treating those infected with COVID-19 and preventing its spread. The agreement has also funded the flourishing COVID-19 Real-Time Learning Network, an online center for frontline clinicians to learn, collaborate and share treatment best practices.
The ID fellowship programs selected for the pilot program are:
- Emory University School of Medicine
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Rush University Medical Center/Cook County Health
- Stanford University School of Medicine
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
- University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
- University of Washington
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Weill Cornell/NY Presbyterian
- West Virginia University
IDSA anticipates the joint fellowship to continue after the pilot program based on the initial interest from ID programs, students and CDC. Please visit our website for more information about the joint ID/EIS program, including details regarding the application process, which will open to residents in spring of 2023.
About IDSA
The Infectious Diseases Society of America is a community of over 12,000 physicians, scientists and public health experts who specialize in infectious diseases. Its purpose is to improve the health of individuals, communities and society by promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health and prevention relating to infectious diseases. Learn more at https://www.idsociety.org/.