About the LEAP Fellowship

History of LEAP

2017: The LEAP concept is developed in response to a request by CDC for an innovative ID training program focused on antimicrobial stewardship, health care epidemiology and public health. IDSA, SHEA and PIDS agree to jointly support the development of the LEAP fellowship.

2017-2018:

The LEAP application and selection process are developed, and the training/development framework for LEAP is built. A marketing and informational campaign is created to increase awareness of the novel training program, and the first class of LEAP fellows is recruited.

July 2018-June 2019: First class of fellows completes the LEAP program.

July 2020-June 2021: Second class of fellows completes the LEAP program.

July 2022-June 2023: Third class of fellows completes the LEAP program.

July 2023-June 2024: Fourth class of fellows completes the LEAP program.

What is LEAP? • Program fundamentals

○ LEAP is a one-year training/development program to prepare ID physicians to work in health care epidemiology or antimicrobial stewardship, while partnering with public health departments.

○ Fellows are selected through a competitive application process.

○ Funding is provided to the LEAP fellows, intended to support their time dedicated to LEAP activities. Please note, LEAP funding is not intended nor allowed to be used as support funding for research costs.

○ LEAP activities are meant to occur primarily through the fellow’s own local health department(s) and hospital. Relocation is neither required nor supported.

• LEAP training/development overview: LEAP is built around the three main components described below, while also providing an individualized approach, tailored to the interests of each fellow:

○ Curriculum/learning objectives – Experiential learning around public health activities of local health departments and hospital infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship are the main focus of the training, which is supplemented by curated monthly lectures. See the Local Implementation of LEAP section for curriculum details.

○ Project(s) – Fellows develop and engage in a year-long research project (or potentially projects) alongside a public health department. Findings, if any, from these projects are expected to be presented at IDWeek post-fellowship. Learn more about past fellows and their research projects.

○ Mentorship – Fellows are deliberately paired with an expert LEAP mentor in their field of interest. Mentors support fellows in their LEAP activities and facilitate networking for professional development