The Allergy and Immunology (A/I) Fellowship is a 2-3 year ACGME-accredited program for pediatric-trained physicians seeking specialization in:
✔ Allergic diseases (asthma, food allergies, atopic dermatitis)
✔ Primary immunodeficiencies
✔ Autoimmune disorders
✔ Immunotherapy advancements
Key Features
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Dual patient focus: Trains physicians to treat both pediatric and adult populations
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Board eligibility: Prepares for ABAI certification exams
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Flexible career paths: Academic medicine, private practice, or research
Clinical Training Curriculum
Core Rotations
| Rotation | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Adult Allergy | Drug allergies, chronic urticaria |
| Pediatric Allergy | Food challenges, eosinophilic disorders |
| Immunodeficiency | IVIG therapy, genetic testing |
| Pulmonary | Severe asthma management |
Procedural Competencies
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Skin prick testing
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Spirometry
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Drug desensitization
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Biologic therapies administration
Notable Programs:
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Boston Children’s/Harvard (Strong pediatric focus)
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Johns Hopkins (Leading immunotherapy research)
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National Jewish Health (Pulmonary-allergy integration)
Research Component
Timeline
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Year 1: Clinical immersion + project development
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Year 2: Dedicated research months (typically 6-12 months)
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Year 3: Manuscript preparation
Current Research Frontiers
🔬 Oral immunotherapy (OIT) for food allergies
🔬 Biomarkers for asthma phenotyping
🔬 Gene therapy for primary immunodeficiencies
Career Pathways After Fellowship
Academic Medicine
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40% of graduates enter academia
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Roles:
✓ Residency program directors
✓ Clinical researchers
✓ Division chiefs
Clinical Practice
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Allergy group practices (55% of graduates)
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Hospital-based clinics
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Multispecialty collaborations
Salary Range:
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Academic: $180,000-$220,000
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Private Practice: $250,000-$350,000
Why Choose A/I After Pediatrics?
✅ Continuity with pediatric training
✅ Procedural + cognitive specialty balance
✅ Growing field with 12% job growth projected (2020-2030)
✅ Lifestyle advantages over general pediatrics
Fellow Testimonial:
“Transitioning from gen peds to A/I let me deepen my impact on chronic conditions while maintaining work-life balance.”
— Dr. Sarah Kim, UCLA graduate
Application Process
Key Requirements
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Completed pediatrics residency
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USMLE/COMLEX scores
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3-4 LORs (including PD letter)
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Personal statement highlighting A/I interest
Match Timeline:
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July: ERAS opens
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Sept-Nov: Interviews
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December: Match Day
Fellowship Comparison: Peds vs IM Trainees
| Aspect | Pediatric-Trained | Internal Medicine-Trained |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Comfort | Stronger with kids | More adult experience |
| Common Focus | Food allergy | Drug allergy |
| Career Paths | Often academic | More private practice |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I do both adult and pediatric allergy?
A: Yes! Most programs train for both (required for board certification)
Q: What’s the call schedule like?
A: Typically home call for severe reactions (better than residency!)
Q: How competitive is the match?
A: ~75% match rate (less competitive than cardiology)
