Clinical training

Introduction to allergy and immunology

During the first three weeks of fellowship, the fellows are given an introduction to essential tests and skills of practicing allergists. This includes an overview of the two-year fellowship including the rotations, goals, expectations, and metrics used for and by fellows and members of the Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology. Also included during this time is assigned reading related to allergy and immunology.

Allergy and immunology consultations (pediatric and adult)

During this rotation, fellows participate in both the internal medicine and pediatric allergy clinics at Mayo Clinic's campuses in Scottsdale and Phoenix, as well as at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Fellows see patients with common problems in allergy, as well as complex problems in allergy and immunology including immunodeficiency. Fellows have their own continuity clinics at Mayo Clinic Arizona and Phoenix Children's Hospital one-half day per week throughout their fellowship.

Established in 1983, Phoenix Children’s Hospital is Arizona’s only licensed children’s hospital and among the largest freestanding facilities of its kind in the county. It has more than 70 sub-specialties with six centers of excellence and draws children from all over the state. The patient population is culturally and pathologically diverse, ranging from common allergic disorders to complex cases in allergy and immunology.

Fellows have the opportunity to participate in several multi-disciplinary clinics, such as eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, atopic dermatitis, severe asthma, and primary immunodeficiency. These unique clinics allow for increased coordination of care with other specialists and a rich learning environment.

The Allergy and Immunology clinic is involved in clinical and translational research in food allergy, eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, and asthma.  

Also see: Phoenix Children’s Hospital Allergy/Immunology

Research training

Fellows can participate in nine months of uninterrupted research.

Before starting a research assignment, fellows are expected to meet with faculty investigators to evaluate existing opportunities and potential new projects. Many research projects are multidisciplinary, involving collaboration with clinical and basic science research colleagues.

Completion of a research project is a requirement for graduation. Presentation and publication of research results is expected. Fellows who are planning a career in clinical medicine usually choose clinical or applied research to supplement their curricula.

Learn more about the Allergy Research Laboratory.

Electives

The last three months of the first year of fellowship are available for elective rotations.

As a fellow, you can choose from the following electives:

• Pulmonology (pediatric and/or adult)
• Community allergy
• Otolaryngology
• Dermatology (pediatric and/or adult)
• Transplant
• GI and esophageal
• Rheumatology

Didactic training

During the first year of the Allergy and Immunology Fellowship, the instructional emphasis is on understanding the etiology, physiology, pathogenesis and investigative procedures of three major areas: allergic diseases, immunodeficiency, and immunologic disorders.

Clinical experiences and conferences require that fellows have a detailed knowledge of the immune system and the principles involved in assessing the humoral and cellular competence of patients with immunologic and hypersensitivity diseases. Fellows should also understand the immunological aspects of other diseases, such as infectious and parasitic diseases, neoplasia, and connective tissue diseases.

Fellows need to become familiar with:

• Diagnosis and management of a wide variety of allergic and immunologic diseases
• Principles and practice of allergy testing
• Pulmonary function and bronchoprovocation testing
• The preparation and standardization of allergenic extracts
• Immunotherapy for allergic diseases
• Food and medication challenges
• Medication desensitization

Conferences

Training includes:

• A weekly case conference in allergy and clinical immunology
• A monthly journal club
• Twice monthly immunology sessions reviewing chapters of the "Cellular and Molecular Immunology" textbook
• Weekly Internal Medicine Grand Rounds
• Attendance at national meetings

While many of our conferences are led by faculty and fellows in the division, invited speakers from Mayo's basic science departments and clinical subspecialties, such as dermatology and otorhinolaryngology, also participate.

Call frequency

The fellowship does not include in-hospital call. Fellows are on call from home and are typically on call one week per month. A faculty member is always on call to supervise the fellow.

Teaching opportunities

Opportunities are available for teaching rotating residents and medical students.

Duty hours

Duty hours reflect the outpatient clinical practice with patients scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Moonlighting

Moonlighting is permitted on a case-by-case basis with approval of the program director as long as it does not interfere with the goals and objectives of the training program or lead to duty hour violations.

Vacation

Fellows are allowed 20 working days of vacation for each fellowship year. Weekends and national holidays are not considered vacation time. The timing and duration of vacation must be approved by the program director.

Evaluation

To ensure fellows gain proficiency and develop the corresponding technical skills, performance is monitored throughout the program. Supervising faculty members formally evaluate fellows following the completion of each clinical rotation. Fellows meet semi-annually with the program director to review these evaluations. In addition, fellows regularly evaluate the faculty to ensure educational goals are being met.