Mission and Educational Goals

We will investigate basic research questions in infectious disease in ways that contribute fundamental new knowledge that supports diagnosis, prevention and treatment. This basic research will be focused on pathogen biology, host immune responses and pathogenesis of infections that cause significant morbidity and mortality in children. 

We will enhance the healthcare of the children in the Western New York region by providing outstanding direct patient care, consultation services and infection control practices. We will provide rapid and efficient care in the inpatient and outpatient setting, responding to the needs of families and referring healthcare providers.

We will train future generations of leaders in basic and translational biomedical research relevant to infectious diseases. The division will train pediatric fellows in appropriate infectious disease principles and practices, and provide a stimulating environment for fellows and subspecialty fellows to participate in basic and clinical investigation. We will train postdoctoral fellows and graduate students in basic science research and in clinical / translational pursuits. We will work to educate our community and our world in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

We will advocate for the health of children locally, nationally, and globally. We will accomplish our multiple missions in an atmosphere of collegiality and discovery, where the contributions of all faculty, staff, students, and fellows are valued. We will actively participate in the missions of UB Department of Pediatrics and our professional societies. We will work to achieve positive change for children's health globally.

1. Expand applicable knowledge base of basic and clinical sciences underlying the care of patients with infectious diseases, encompassing a range of ages, immune status, and predisposing conditions.

2. In developing a prioritized differential diagnosis and care plan, access and critically evaluate current medical information and scientific evidence relevant to patient care.

3. Assume increased responsibility for self-learning and review of appropriate supplemental materials with advancing levels of training.

4. Fellows must demonstrate competence in the management, in the outpatient emergency department and inpatient settings, of healthy and acutely and chronically ill patients who have infectious diseases or clinical conditions, including (per ACGME IV.B.1.b):

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(i) odontogenic infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(ii) upper and lower respiratory tract infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(iii) central nervous system infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(iv) urinary tract/renal infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(v) cardiovascular infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(vi) bone and joint infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(vii) skin/soft tissue/muscle infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(viii) gastrointestinal /intra-abdominal/hepatobiliary infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(ix) ear, nose, and throat infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(x) ocular infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(xi) reproductive tract infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(xii) sexually transmitted infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(xiii) foreign-body and catheter-related infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(xiv) HIV infection;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(xv) Health care-associated infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(xvi) surgical and traumatic wound infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(xvii) congenital and neonatal infections;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(xviii) infections in transplant patients;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(xix) prolonged and recurrent fever;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(xx) bloodstream infections and sepsis;   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(xxi) vasculitides, to include Kawasaki Disease; and,   

IV.B.1.b).(1).(i).(xxii) disorders of host defense.

5. By completion of the fellowship, the fellow should demonstrate independence in the following: caring for healthy patients, caring for medically complex patients, promoting antimicrobial stewardship, preventing and containing infections, and management and prevention of infection associated with medical / surgical devices, surgery and trauma.