Allergy and Immunology Fellowship

Education and research | Fellowship training | Contact information
Application | Faculty | Current and recent fellows

Education and research

This combined internal medicine-pediatrics training program is directed at those individuals interested in basic and clinical research related to allergy and immunology. Recent graduates have participated in National Institutes of Health-sponsored studies defining two types of human mast cells, cloning of the gene or genes for mast cell tryptase, and development of an immunoassay for tryptase that serves as the first precise clinical indicator of severe allergic reactions.

Clinical training in both pediatric and adult allergy emphasizes both inpatient and outpatient management of allergic and immunologic disease. Cross training in rheumatology also is provided. Additional features at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center include bone marrow transplant, hybridoma and nucleic acid core facilities.

The Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology division in the departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics have nine full-time clinical faculty, all of whom are certified in the subspecialties of rheumatology, allergy and immunology or both. Three also are certified in clinical and laboratory immunology. There are three dedicated research faculty. The preponderance of clinical practice is in the outpatient setting, with approximately 200 adult and 300 pediatric allergy outpatients seen in the allergy clinics each month. Active in-hospital consultative practices are provided at VCU Medical Center.

National Institutes of Health-funded research includes programs in mast cell and basophil molecular and cell biology. Numerous clinical trials are conducted on therapies for asthma, allergic rhinitis and other immunologic disorders.

Fellowship training

Curriculum

Fellows attend allergy asthma and immunology outpatient clinics in the departments of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, perform inpatient consults on adults and children, participate in clinical trials, take the basic immunology course at VCU and perform clinical or basic research during their training.

Conferences

Weekly conferences at VCU include a basic science journal club, clinical journal club, and division, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Pediatrics grand rounds. Fellows often attend regional conferences such as Virginia Allergy Asthma and Immunology annual meeting, the Swineford Conference at the University of Virginia, the Dees Symposium at Duke University or the Southeastern Allergy Asthma and Immunology annual conference, the Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology or American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology national meeting, and others.

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Fellowship contact information

Program director

Lawrence B. Schwartz, M.D., Ph.D.
P.O. Box 980263
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0263
Phone: (804) 828-9685
E-mail: lbschwar@vcu.edu
          

Program co-director

Anne-Marie A. Irani, M.D.
P.O. Box 980225
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0225
Phone: (804) 828-9621
E-mail: airani@vcu.edu

Coordinator

Mary (Jamie) Robinette
1112 East Clay Street, McGuire Hall, Room 4-110
P.O. Box 980263
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0263
Phone: (804) 828-1941, (804)828-9686
Fax: (804) 828-0283
E-mail: mjrobinette@vcu.edu

Application

All applicants use Electronic Residency Application Service ERAS to apply to the program.

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2006/12/15