{"id":5741,"date":"2024-08-22T10:09:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T15:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/?p=5741"},"modified":"2024-08-31T22:28:16","modified_gmt":"2024-09-01T03:28:16","slug":"thinking-about-training-with-unmc-id-fellows-past-and-present-share-why-they-chose-unmc-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/2024\/08\/22\/thinking-about-training-with-unmc-id-fellows-past-and-present-share-why-they-chose-unmc-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Thinking about training with UNMC ID? Fellows share why they chose UNMC"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"panel body-content\"><div class=\"panel__container\">\n<p>Fellowship application season is well underway, and our fellowship directors can&#8217;t wait to review applications. We have recently posted about the benefits of a UNMC ID fellowship (see <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/?p=5734\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>) and how to thrive in interviews (<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/?p=5738\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">link here<\/a>). But today, we wanted to highlight the words of fellows as they explain why they wanted to train at UNMC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-resized\" style=\"grid-template-columns:32% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2020\/08\/casey-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3669 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2020\/08\/casey-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2020\/08\/casey-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2020\/08\/casey-1-120x90.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><em>Interestingly, I ended up coming to UNMC because they have a phenomenal Emergency Medicine Residency! My significant other enjoyed his away rotation in UNMC&#8217;s ED so much we ended up couples matching into their IM and ED residencies. Initially, I thought I would pursue Rheumatology, but I abruptly changed my mind after a phenomenal ID rotation during my intern year. I subsequently rotated on ID two more times during residency and enjoyed working with the UNMC ID family so much I wanted to stay for fellowship.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\" style=\"font-size:18px\">&#8211;<strong>Dr. <strong>Casey&nbsp;<\/strong>Zelus<\/strong> (Left, with a bagel she baked herself that is as big as her face!)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-resized\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 34%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><em>After researching the program for infectious diseases fellowship, I was especially struck at how both comprehensive and well-organized the training program appeared to be. Having dedicated clinical experiences in orthopedics, oncology, and transplant, for example, caught my eye.&nbsp; After my interview day, I learned that the program\u2019s strong points were largely the result of dedicated program leadership and faculty.&nbsp; There is a sincere interest at UNMC in helping me become the clinician I hope to be. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2021\/08\/Bryan-Walker-blog-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Image of ID fellow Dr. Bryan Walker wearing a red shirt and blue jacket and dark blue jeans and sunglasses leaning against a brick wall\" class=\"wp-image-4009 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2021\/08\/Bryan-Walker-blog-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2021\/08\/Bryan-Walker-blog-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2021\/08\/Bryan-Walker-blog-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2021\/08\/Bryan-Walker-blog-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2021\/08\/Bryan-Walker-blog-120x90.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>&#8211; Dr. Bryan Walker<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:37% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"598\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2021\/08\/mackenzie-waterfall.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4027 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2021\/08\/mackenzie-waterfall.jpg 598w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2021\/08\/mackenzie-waterfall-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2021\/08\/mackenzie-waterfall-120x160.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\" style=\"font-size:15px\"><em>I chose UNMC for Internal Medicine residency in part because of the strong Infectious Diseases fellowship program. During residency, I was able to form strong mentorship bonds that truly made leaving the program incredibly hard. Working with the incredible faculty throughout my three years made staying at UNMC the right decision for my career. My interest in ID is antimicrobial stewardship. Our stewardship team is one of the best in the country (maybe I\u2019m biased?), and I look forward to training under them throughout my fellowship. Furthermore, having access to the biocontainment unit and leaders in the field of emerging pathogens is an experience I don\u2019t know I would be able to get anywhere else. Our training here is well balanced between general ID, immunocompromised services, and antimicrobial stewardship, so I know that when I come out of fellowship, I will be prepared for whatever position I decide to take.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>&#8211; Dr. Mackenzie Keintz<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-resized\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 40%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><em>UNMC has a rich tradition of being a center of clinical and scholarly excellence while promoting education through mentorship and fostering initiative and collaboration. The Medical Center is also committed to providing empathetic, evidence-based, and patient-centered care while serving a diverse and often medically underrepresented population. I look forward to experiencing this collegial and supportive atmosphere during fellowship training. The HEAL track also represents an amazing opportunity to further advance my knowledge and skills in medical education and leadership!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>&#8211; Dr. Nabil Al-Kourainy<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"404\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/photo-1-Al-Kourainy-edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4557 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/photo-1-Al-Kourainy-edited-1.jpg 404w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/photo-1-Al-Kourainy-edited-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/photo-1-Al-Kourainy-edited-1-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-resized\" style=\"grid-template-columns:37% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/image0-5-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4584 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/image0-5-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/image0-5-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/image0-5-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/image0-5.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><em>(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;The infectious disease training here is highly regarded, and I wanted to train at a location where I could learn from all branches of ID \u2013 from emerging infectious diseases (<a href=\"https:\/\/urldefense.com\/v3\/__https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/02\/18\/us\/coronavirus-omaha-nebraska-medical-center.html__;!!JkUDQA!KTiE-6zIZcF16tWRhfylUkl5-_OtVR9nEmgHtLn8s4u3myyV5RyO68MFGo2VPw_0rWjP5smwNc_Qv_zGGolStNc$\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">check this out<\/a><\/em>)<em>&nbsp;to antimicrobial stewardship to transplant ID\u2026even pediatrics ID!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;I have family here in Omaha, and Omaha is much closer to my family in Colorado. It\u2019s great to be close to your support system!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;Omaha itself is a great city! There is so much to eat, do, and see here. The affordable cost of living adds to the attraction.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>&#8211; Dr. Catherine Cichon<\/strong> and her dog Loki<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-resized\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 41%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><em>Before the COVID pandemic began, I had visited UNMC and Omaha for internal medicine residency interviews, and I was considerably impressed by the medical facilities, the strength of the educational program, and the tranquility of the city. One of the faculty that I had interviewed with for residency interviews was Dr. Mark Rupp, the chief of the ID division, and I had promised him that regardless of where I ended up for residency, I would apply to UNMC for ID fellowship. So when I matched to UNMC for ID fellowship, I knew I had matched to the right place!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>&#8211; Dr. Timothy Jang<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/IMG_8091-2-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4590 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/IMG_8091-2-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/IMG_8091-2-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/IMG_8091-2-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/IMG_8091-2-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/IMG_8091-2-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/IMG_8091-2-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/54\/2022\/07\/IMG_8091-2.png 1836w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fellowship application season is well underway, and our fellowship directors can&#8217;t wait to review applications. We have recently posted about the benefits of a UNMC ID fellowship and how to thrive in interviews. But today, we wanted to highlight the words of current and past fellows as they explain why they wanted to train at UNMC.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1124,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[114],"tags":[161],"class_list":["post-5741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-unmc-id-fellowship","tag-fellowshipapplications"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5741","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1124"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5741"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5741\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5783,"href":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5741\/revisions\/5783"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/infectious-disease\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}