The Allergy/Immunology fellowship program in the Division of Immunology at the University of Iowa represents a two-year commitment for physicians who have completed training in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics or combined Medicine-Pediatrics and who wish to pursue subspecialty training in the field. The program is structured to meet all of the 24-month requirements set forth by both the ACGME and the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI). In addition, there is an option for additional years of training in research for those individuals with prior research experience who are interested in pursuing a career in academic medicine. Year 1 of the fellowship emphasizes clinical training in the adult and pediatric outpatient clinics, as well as an inpatient consultative experience. Year 2 of the fellowship provides some additional time for more involvement in a scholarly project, leadership and teaching experiences, and increased responsibilities to assure transition to competence in the independent care and management of children and adults with common as well as rare allergic and immunologic disorders. Educational conferences, board review sessions, journal clubs, interesting cases sessions, hands-on workshops and research conferences are held throughout the entire 24-month program and serve as the framework for core curriculum and team-based learning necessary to acquire the skills to practice independently and competently in the field of allergy/immunology.
The Division of Immunology houses fellowship programs in both Allergy/Immunology and Adult Rheumatology. We now have an approved pathway for physicians interested in pursuing dual certification in Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology. The dual pathway requires acceptance into each of the individual fellowships, as well as final approval by the ABAI and the ABIM Rheumatology Subspecialty Board. The pathway enables the fellow to complete requirements for board eligibility in both subspecialties in three years as opposed to the traditional four years.