University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

TRAINING PROGRAM DIRECTOR:  Nada Harik, MD
RESEARCH INTERESTS: Pathogenesis and epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus infections; infections in children with cystic fibrosis and pediatric tuberculosis.

CHIEF OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES:  José Romero, MD
RESEARCH INTEREST: Enterorvirus pathogenesis/molecular epidemiology/therapy/diagnosis; respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis; epidemiology of tuberculosis

ASSOCIATE/DIVISION MEMBERS:

• Jin-Young Han, MD, PhD
  Research Interest: Herpesviruses, congenital infection, telemedicine/health information systems
• Richard F Jacobs, MD
  Research Interest: Anti-viral therapeutics in neonates; pediatric pharmacology clinical trials
• W. Matthew Linam, MD
  Research Interest: Infection control; Prevention of hospital associated infections; Quality improvement research.
• Vini Vijayan, MD
  Research Interest: Improving vaccination coverage among adolescents and pregnant women; Rational use of antimicrobials
• J. Gary Wheeler, MD
  Research Interest: Nutrition and immune responses; vaccine trials; health policy and prevention.
• Holly Maples, PharmD
  RESEARCH INTEREST: Antimicrobial Stewardship, antiretroviral therapy

TITLE(S) OF RECENT FELLOW’ PUBLISHED PAPERS OR RESEARCH PROJECTS:

Arthur C, Tang X, Romero JR, Gossett JG, Harik N, Prodhan P. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection among young children in a cardiac intensive care unit: a single institution experience. Pediatr Cardiol. 2015 Mar;36(3):509-15.

Arthur C, Linam LE, Linam WM. Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal colitis with secondary bacteremia. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2012 Oct; 31(10):1093-5.

Saeed M, Brown GE, Agarwal A, Pellowski D, Jacks J, Liverett HK, Vyas KS. Autoimmune clustering; sweet syndrome, Hashimoto thyroiditis, and psoriasis. J Clin Rheumatol. 2011 Mar;17(2):76-8.

Nichols J, Aldrich AL, Mariani MM, Vidlak D, Esen N, Kielian T. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) deficiency leads to increased Th17 infiltrates in experimental brain abscesses. Journal of Immunology. 2009 June; 182:7119-7130.

Garg S, Nichols J, Esen N, Liu S, Phulwani N, Syed M, Wood W, Zhang Y, Becker K, Aldrich A, Kielian T. MyD88 expression in the CNS is pivotal for eliciting protective immunity in brain ascesses. ASN Neuro. 2009 March; 1(2):art:e00007.doi:10.10421AN20090004. *First two authors contributed equally.

GRANT FUNDING RECEIVED FOR FELLOW RESEARCH PROJECTS:
Children’s University Medical Group Award

MAJOR FEATURES OF TRAINING PROGRAM:
We offer a three year accredited fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Diseases. This program is designed to prepare the board eligible/certified pediatrician for a career in Pediatric Infectious Diseases and to exceed all requirements set forth by the American Board of Pediatrics for subspecialty certification. Through experience with a full spectrum of children with infections at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, fellows will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of pediatric infectious diseases and will become experts in the clinical diagnosis and management of these disorders. Fellows will select an area for in-depth study from a broad range of clinical/translational research or basic science opportunities available at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Our division faculty have expertise in clinical research, quality improvement, infection prevention, and antimicrobial stewardship. Our fellowship program specializes in training individuals for academic careers as clinician educators. Research training will include participation in select courses offered by the Graduate School of Medical Sciences and/or School of Public Health.

AFFILIATED HOSPITALS:
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Arkansas Children’s Hospital

NUMBER OF PEDIATRIC BEDS: 370

FELLOWS ACCEPTED EACH YEAR: 1

TRAINING FOR: MD, DO, MD/PhD

FUNDING IS ENSURED FOR ALL 3 YEARS: YES

VISAS ACCEPTED: J1, H1B

IS COMPLETION OF PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY TRAINING IN THE U.S. OR CANADA A REQUIREMENT? YES

THE PROGRAM OFFERS THE FOLLOWING TRAINING:

• Program provides training in diagnostic microbiology using laboratories on site:
  • Microbiology laboratory
  • Clinical virus isolation laboratory
  • Molecular diagnostics
• Program provides training in infection control and hospital epidemiology as:
  • Didactic lectures
  • Hands on experience
  • Infection Control Meetings/Membership
• Opportunity to fulfill the ABP requirements for scholarly activity is available in the following general areas:
  • Bacteriology/bacterial infections
  • Epidemiology and statistics
  • Infection control/hospital epidemiology
  • Immunizations/Public health
  • Mycology/fungal infections
  • Virology/viral diseases
  • Antimicrobial agents
• Research opportunities in the section’s program could be describes as:
  • Basic (bench)
  • Molecular
  • Translational
  • Epidemiologic
  • Clinical
  • International/Public Health
  • Health Services
    HIV, Clinical

Documented liaison exists offering opportunities for research experience in the laboratory of investigator(s) who is (are) not faculty of the section: YES

Program offers the opportunity to obtain a Master’s degree in a field such as Public Health, Education, Clinical Sciences, or Epidemiology (assuming appropriate arrangements are made): YES

Graduate school courses are available to trainee (assuming appropriate arrangements are made): YES

• Program provides substantial clinical experiences for trainees in special areas/hosts:
  • HIV
  • Solid organ/transplantation
  • Congenital immune deficiencies

Program includes ABP-required core curricula in scholarly activities in didactic lecture course for fellows (includes epidemiology, statistics, research design, and academic careers): YES

Program has an NIH-sponsored training grant: NO

The Infectious Diseases Service is the primary care provider for HIV-infected children and adolescents: YES

Average number of new outpatient consultations per month: 25

Average number of established outpatient follow-up visits per month: 70

Average number of new inpatient consultations per month: 65

Number of trainees completing program in the last 5 years: 2