2022 TID fellowship graduate Dr. Avneet Kaur
2022 TID fellowship graduate Dr. Avneet Kaur

UCLA Health provides support and mentorship to our incoming fellows by honing their skills and developing innovative approaches to learning. Fellows can design their year to focus on any specific area of interest within the field of transplant, while still rotating through all transplant services to gain a breadth of experience.

In addition to outpatient and inpatient rotations, TID fellows can perform a mentored research project on a topic relevant to TID. Examples of topics include:

  • Changing epidemiology of invasive fungal infections
  • Evolution of resistant organisms
  • Caring for the older transplant recipient

The goal of the advanced clinical training in TID program is to gain in-depth experience caring for patients undergoing heart, lung, liver, and kidney transplantation (pre- and post-transplant care) and ventricular assist device implantation, as well as patients with hematologic malignancies and undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation.

TID Fellowship curriculum

  • Inpatient: TID fellowship includes six to seven months of inpatient consultation services divided into three main components: Thoracic (Heart/Lung), Abdominal (Liver, Kidney), and Bone Marrow Transplant. Inpatient service time is usually divided equally, but it can vary based on interest of the fellow.  
  • Outpatient Transplant ID Clinic: The fellow is required to participate in outpatient clinic under the supervision of a TID faculty with an average of one to five patients. It is usually held once per week while doing inpatient service, but twice weekly during research months.
  • Translational, basic, or clinical research: The fellow can participate in three to four months of supervised research time, depending on the extent of their interest in research. It is recommended to complete at least two scholarly projects that include clinical research, QI projects and case reports for publications. The projects can also include oral presentations delivered at national meetings such as the American Society of Transplantation or the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Each fellow picks topics based on their areas of interest and works with the faculty member within their chosen niche.
  • Microbiology Laboratory/Transplant Clinics/Organ Procurement Organization: This is a unique opportunity for TID fellows at UCLA Health and is highly recommended to take advantage of each of the above rotations. The rotation time for these modules is typically one month and is divided based on the fellow’s preferences. In general, the rotations include spending time in laboratory, surgical and medical transplant clinics, and observing transplant procurement and allograft transplant.

Didactic learning & conferences

The following learning opportunities take place weekly for TID fellows:

  • Every Tuesday morning: Didactic learning for general ID fellows — TID fellows are encouraged to join.
  • Every other Wednesday from 12 to 1 pm: Focused learning approach for TID. This “Lunch Brunch” conference gives an opportunity for TID faculty and staff to discuss important topics pertaining to TID. It’s a highly interactive session with an hour-long, in-depth review by a faculty member. The topics covered are relevant for the TID curriculum.
  • Every Thursday from 12 to 1 pm: Case conference that discusses unique ID cases — TID fellow is expected to participate.

How to apply to the TID Fellowship

Applicants should submit a one-page personal statement, cover letter, and three letters of recommendation. For all incoming applications, please apply here.

For questions please contact Dr. Joanna Schaenman: [email protected]