About the Allergy and Immunology Fellowship Program

This combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics training program has been in existence at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (formerly Medical College of Virginia) for several decades. It was ACGME accredited prior to March of 1983, and has remained since that time. This two-year program accepts up to two residents into the program per year. Those trained from 1983 onward have all passed their ABAI certification exam. 

Mission
Our mission is to prepare specialists who are well rounded in Allergy & Immunology. These specialists will not only provide expert medical care for patients with allergic and immunologic disorders, but also serve as consultants, educators; being critical in interpreting medical research in asthma, allergic, and immunologic diseases. 

Duration
The ACGME accredited Allergy & Immunology training period is typically two years in duration, with the exception of the ABIM or ABP research tracks, which would extend time in the program to fulfill research requirements. Also, some trainees have been granted, at their request, an additional year of research training beyond the two years of clinical training that enabled them to sit for the certification exam. 

Program Certifications
The VCU Health Allergy & Immunology fellowship program is fully accredited by the ACGME. 

Overall training is roughly divided into 50% direct patient care, 25% scholarly activity and research, and 25% educational activities. All fellows are adequately trained in system-based practices, professionalism, and patient care, advancement of their medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, and practice-based learning.

Vacation Time
Each fellows is allowed three weeks of vacation per year.

Night Coverage
Allergy and Immunology fellows do not take in-house call.  Fellows take night call and urgent clinical care questions from home.

Weekend Coverage
Fellows, when on call over weekend, will see new consults at VCU during the day, staffed with attending physician on service.

GME Resident & Fellow Well-Being
Graduate Medical Education training is not easy. With the GME Physician Well-being program, we first and foremost assert our commitment to your well-being, resilience and all aspects of a healthy lifestyle. VCU and VCU Health are dedicated to ensuring that you have the tools you need to be your best. (Learn more)

All About VCU, VCU Health, and RVA
First things first. We fondly refer to Richmond as RVA.  People love this city because it’s awesome. And Virginia Commonwealth University is in the middle of it all.  Learn more about VCU, VCU Health, and RVA!

• Santhosh Kumar, MD (Pediatrics)
• Wei Zhao, MD, PhD - Fellowship Program Director

Advanvced Practice Providers

• Jess Hess, RN, CPNP
• Donna Mitchell, RN, MS, CPNP
• Jackie Rudd, RN, FNP

Affiliated Faculty

• Michael Blumberg, MD
• Ahmed Butt, MD

Emeritus Faculty

• Lawrence Schwartz, MD, PhD (Medicine)
• Anne-Marie Irani, MD (Pediatrics)

Class of 2026

Marlin Hana, MD
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine
Residency: Pediatrics. East Carolina University/Boston Children's Hospital

Class of 2025

Andrew Van Hersh, DO
Medical School:  William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency:  Pediatrics, University of Louisville

Class of 2024

Justin Hsueh, MD
Medical School: Meharry Medical College
Residency: Internal Medicine/Pediatrics - University of Maryland

Prerequisite
Prerequisite training consists of completion of a residency in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics that would qualify them to sit for the certification exam of the American Board of Internal Medicine or the American Board of Pediatrics. Selection criteria consists of medical school performance, residency performance, USMLE scores, personal interview, ECFMG certification (if applicable), valid visa/green card/permanent residency card (if applicable) and other accomplishments (e.g., research publications) as considered appropriate. VCU Health System can only support J-1 visas. 

Application
Our Allergy and Immunology Fellowship Training Program participates NRMP match. All applicants use ERAS to apply to the program. Interview dates for 2022 are selected Fridays beginning September through early October. 

Program Director

Wei Zhao, MD, PhD, FAAAAI, FACAAI
Professor and Chief
Division of Allergy and Immunology
Vice Chair for Clinical Operation
Department of Pediatrics
Virginia Commonwealth University
Box 980225
Richmond, VA 23298
Phone: (804) 828-9620
Fax: (804) 628-5856
Email: wei.zhao@vcuhealth.org

Fellowship Coordinator

Cesley Watkins
VCU School of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine
Box 980509
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0509
Phone: (804) 628-4497
Fax: (804) 828-4926
Email: imfellowships@vcuhealth.org

For training verification requests, please visit us at https://intmed.vcu.edu/education/verification/