Contact Information

John A. Branda, MD
Director, Medical Microbiology Fellowship Training Program

Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street, GRJ-5-529A
Boston, MA  02114

Phone: 617-726-3612

Email: branda.john@mgh.harvard.edu

Sarah E. Turbett, MD
Associate Director, Medical Microbiology Fellowship Training Program Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street, GRJ-5-529B
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-726-3612
Email: turbett.sarah@mgh.harvard.edu

Jaclyn Brogna
Fellowship Program Coordinator
Phone: 617-726-0367
Email: jbrogna@partners.org

Richie Feathers
Administrative Assistant, Clinical Microbiology Laboratories
Phone: 617-726-3612
Email: rfeathers@mgh.harvard.edu

Explore This Fellowship

    About the Fellowship

    The Medical Microbiology Fellowship at Mass General, a one-year, ACGME-approved program, provides advance training to prepare pathologists and infectious disease specialists to serve as directors of a clinical microbiology laboratory. Our graduates possess an in-depth understanding of medical microbiology, including the selection, validation, and interpretation of diagnostic microbiology tests. Our trainees will also be capable of managing a high volume, complex diagnostic laboratory. To these ends, the program will provide a comprehensive curriculum consisting of didactics, rotation through all sections of the clinical microbiology laboratory as well as rotations with various clinical services to gain an understanding of how testing in the microbiology laboratory informs clinical decision making. Particular emphasis will be placed on laboratory operation and management. Graduates of this program may choose to develop an area of research in microbiology that will prepare them for a career as a laboratory director at an academic health center.

    Requirements

    Fellows in Medical Microbiology must complete either:

    1. Residency training in anatomic, clinical, or combined anatomic/clinical pathology in a U.S. based training program, with primary certification or eligibility by the American Board of Pathology

    OR

    2. A U.S. primary residence in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics followed by completion of an ACGME accredited fellowship in Infectious Diseases

    Applicants must be eligible for a Massachusetts medical license

    Curriculum

    Goals and Objectives

    The Mass General Pathology Service medical microbiology fellowship goals are to:

    • Gain the knowledge and skills specifically required to direct a high volume, complex diagnostic laboratory
    • Provide a comprehensive curriculum consisting of didactics, weekly conferences, and in-depth rotations through all sections of the clinical microbiology laboratory
    • Understand disease processes, selection of tests, and interpretation of results

    Structure of the Program

    The medical microbiology fellowship curriculum is designed to be completed within 12 months.

    The following table shows a sample curriculum for the clinical year:

    Bacteriology

    12 weeks 

    Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

    12 weeks 

    Molecular Microbiology/Virology

    4 weeks

    Mycology/Mycobacteriology/Parasitology

    9 weeks

    Infectious Disease Consultation

    4 weeks if Pathology-trained

    Infection Control

    48 weeks (longitudinal)

    How to Apply

    We are now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 academic year.
    The deadline for submission is January 01, 2024.

    Applicants should send the following materials to both the Program Coordinator (jbrogna@partners.org) and Administrative Assistant (rfeathers@mgh.harvard.edu):

    • a completed CAP standardized Application for Pathology Fellowships
    • a current CV
    • a one-page personal statement concerning their interest in Medical Microbiology
    • a USMLE transcript
    • three (3) letters of reference