The Dr. Dawn K. Smith HIV Prevention Clinical Fellowship will provide comprehensive training to clinicians who do not have experience practicing HIV medicine and who practice in fields such as emergency medicine, family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pharmacy practice, primary care and others to increase PrEP awareness and utilization in under-resourced communities and in populations with higher HIV transmission rates.
WHAT THE GRANT AWARDS
Over the course of twelve months, the fellows will perform a mix of clinical work (primarily outpatient but also some inpatient), self and collaborative study, didactics, teaching and quality improvement activities as well as access online tools and attend conferences. The fellowship will be led by a team of experienced HIV clinicians, researchers and educators and will combine didactic and interactive experiential learning activities.
Fellows will participate in several activities designed to enhance their clinical skills and understanding of PrEP, including:
- Self-directed learning modules.
- Experiential/clinical rounds.
- Monthly/bi-monthly online fellowship meetings.
- Case-based discussions with preceptors.
- Simulation exercises.
Stipends will be provided for the fellow, training preceptor and home clinic/site.
FELLOWSHIP TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Each Dawn K. Smith HIV fellow will be expected to:
- Be committed to the responsibilities of the fellowship throughout its 12-month term.
- Participate in an orientation meeting.
- Participate in monthly/bi-monthly online fellowship meetings.
- Complete fellowship evaluation activities at mid-year and departure.
- Participate in mentor-mentee individual check-ins.
- Participate in fellow webinars and roundtables.
- Complete at least 40 hours of in-person practicum with their fellowship mentor.
- Initiate a PrEP clinic or PrEP awareness campaign at their home clinic.
- Present a final project/program at an in-person Fellow Symposia.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must be:
- Practicing physicians, physician assistants/associates, nurse practitioners or pharmacists.
- A legal U.S. resident who is residing in the U.S. (The Academy does not sponsor visas. If visa sponsorship is required, this must be done by your host institution.)
- Not currently enrolled in, nor have previously completed, an infectious diseases fellowship training.
Prioritized clinicians:
- Those who are committed to serving in under-resourced areas and priority populations, with emphasis on the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) priority jurisdictions in the Southern Region of the United States.
Graduate students who are also licensed and practicing are welcome to apply, but they must be able to commit to the fellowship requirements.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Applications are being accepted from February 3, 2025, to April 7, 2025. Fellows will be selected in the spring of 2025.
FELLOWSHIP DATES
The fellowship runs from July 2025 to June 2026.
HOW TO APPLY
Ensure you meet the criteria for applicants by first reviewing the eligibility requirements above. Then complete the Fellow Application. There is no fee to apply.
All applicants are required to submit:
- A completed application form.
- A current CV or resume.
- A letter of support from a direct supervisor or clinic administration.
- A personal statement outlining their goals, experience and interest in HIV prevention.
- A PrEP service or program idea that you will implement as part of the fellowship.
REQUIRED CONVENINGS, MEETINGS AND TIME COMMITMENT
Virtual instructional webinars/meetings
- Frequency: Every third Thursday of the month from noon–2 p.m., Eastern.
- Regular mentor engagement.
Live meetings/conferences
- A minimum of 40 total hours of in-person practicum/experiential training with Fellowship mentor (self-determined timeline) completed within the first 6-months of the fellowship
- Poster presentation at ACTHIV 2026 conference (full day commitment)
PrEP service and development/implementation
- Fellows will develop and implement a PrEP service or program.
- Approximately five to eight hours weekly preparing for PrEP service development and implementation on your own time.
- After about six months into the fellowship, the program should be fully conceptualized and almost ready for implementation.
- Mentors will work with fellows to help outline the target audience, goals and budget.
- Fellows should prepare to impact PrEP awareness and access relatively soon after the July 1 start date.
Mentors / Preceptors for Fellows
- Fellows do not have to find their own mentors.
- But, it is recommended that applicants select a few local credentialed clinicians they would be interested in working with.
Fellowship Deferment
- Deferment requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but are not guaranteed.
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STIPEND AND CME CREDIT
Participating fellows will receive a $7,500 stipend for participating in the program, funding to support the home site and will be eligible for up to 20 CME credit hours. Note that receipt of full stipend is contingent upon program participation and completion.
SELECTION PROCESS
A selection committee will evaluate applications based on professional experience, demonstrated commitment to HIV-related work, leadership potential and alignment with the fellowship’s goals. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a virtual interview as part of the selection process. Final decisions will be announced May 1, 2025.
HOST PRECEPTOR/MENTOR
Serving as an HIV Fellowship Preceptor/Mentor offers a multitude of benefits, ranging from personal and professional development to positively impacting the future of PrEP delivery and HIV care. Preceptor candidates must:
- Be a licensed practicing physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist
- Be an Academy credentialed HIV Specialist or Pharmacist
- Have a dynamic approach to sexual health and HIV prevention and care
- Be able to provide an in-person 40-hour experience including patient assessment (including sexual health histories), drug information, patient education and STI/PrEP consultation and delivery
- Be available to mentor the Fellow and participate in mentor-mentee individual check-in for the duration of the Fellowship
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BENEFITS
Participating preceptors will receive a $5000 stipend for serving as a mentor in the program. Note that receipt of full stipend is contingent upon program participation and completion.
CONTACT
For additional information regarding the fellowship, please email engagement@aahivm.org.
This activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from ViiV Healthcare.