Infectious Diseases Fellowship
The SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program develops future infectious disease experts through extensive clinical training, research and mentorship.
A Message From the Program Director
Welcome to the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program.
We are known for providing a well-balanced clinical and research experience that equips trainees with the skills and professional assurance to manage complex clinical scenarios. Fellows work with nationally and internationally recognized faculty, and have opportunities to participate in clinical trials, research, antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention.
Fellows also have opportunities to teach the medical students and internal medicine residents who regularly rotate through our clinics. The program offers a research track and a combined fellowship with critical care, as well.
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Abayomi Agbebi, M.D.
Program director
Program Overview
The two-year, ACGME-accredited infectious diseases fellowship prepares trainees for careers as infectious diseases subspecialists certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Faculty work in a large, state-of-the-art academic center and have extensive clinical and research skills, especially in HIV/AIDS, antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and veterans health.
Fellows rotate through the following sites:
- SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital
- SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
- John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital
- Doisy Research Center
- SLUCare Infectious Diseases Clinic
They maintain half-day ID clinics each week and average 13 blocks of inpatient ID consultation over the two years of training. First-year rotations include microbiology and infection prevention, while second-year rotations cover pediatrics and antimicrobial stewardship at the Hepatitis C Clinic. Fellows also train at outpatient clinics and HIV clinics, and have thrice-weekly conferences.
Program Highlights
- Diverse and complex patient population
- Mentorship from distinguished faculty
- Antimicrobial stewardship
- Infection prevention
- Veterans affairs
- Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program
- Optional research and clinical care tracks
- Research and teaching opportunities
- Travel support for local and national conferences
- Wellness events
Current Fellows
Nisma Javed, M.D.
Nisma Javed grew up in Lahore, Pakistan, before moving to the U.S. She earned her medical degree from Services Institute of Medical Sciences.
Javed became interested in infectious diseases during her residency training. She finds the process of learning about and delving into disease origins to be fascinating, and she appreciates how the constantly changing and evolving environment presents difficult situations to which she must adapt. She also enjoys investigating and treating microbial pathogens.
Javed chose Saint Louis University because she wanted the broadest possible clinical experience and academic education. She was inspired by the opportunities available to international graduate medical students to excel in their careers, and she looks forward to becoming a promising part of the SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine family.
Outside of work, Javed loves reading, cooking, traveling to new places and exploring in her free time.
Oscar Sanchez Sura, M.D.
Oscar Sanchez Sura grew up in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, before moving to the U.S. He earned his medical degree from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras Facultad de Ciencias Medicas.
Sanchez Sura chose infectious diseases because it's one of the subspecialities that preserves the essence of internal medicine — enclosing patients' health in a very integrative manner with a multisystem perspective, considering the high complexity of multiple comorbidities, connecting dots and deciding treatment accordingly. He believes training infectious diseases opens the door to an amazing, hidden and diverse world of germs, and he can study their interaction with humans for the sole purpose of saving lives. Further, during the COVID-19 pandemic Sanchez Sura was inspired by the dedicated specialists and frontline teammates who accepted the cost of putting their own lives at risk to help others.
Sanchez Sura chose Saint Louis University because of its excellent infectious disease program and outstanding, recognized faculty who guide fellows through every askpect of their training to grow their knowledge. He appreciates the wide variety of clinical experiences and strong research opportunites as well as the faculty's open-door policy that encourages communication.
Outside of work, Sanchez Sura enjoys chess, music, guitar, singing, history, travel and reading.
Summaiya Asif, M.D.
Summaiya Asif grew up in Pakistan, seeing firsthand the difficulties faced by those without proper health care. This inspired her to pursue a career in medicine, and she earned her medical degree from the CMH Lahore Medical College.
Asif find infectious diseases training captivating because of its intellectural rigor, diagnostic complexity and broad clinical scope. The field challenges her to think expansively and has shaped her into a more thoughtful, well-rounded clinician. Her interest deepended during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which she witnessed the vital role infectious disease specialists playing in guiding patient care, advancing research and leading public health efforts. These experiences affirmed her commitement to a career focused on antimicrobial stewardship, emerging infections and improving health equity through both clinical practice and system-level impact.
Asif was drawn to the fellowship Saint Louis University because of its exceptional balance of clinical rigor and academic opportunity, supported by faculty deeply commited to mentorship, scholarship and patient care. She feels the program offers a uniquely rich clinical experience with exposure to a diverse and complex patient population — including transplant recipients, surgical and trauma patients, and individuals living with HIV — and that breadth not only strengthens diagnositc acumen but also fosters clinical adaptability. She also believes SLU is further distinguished by its strong foundation in antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and translational research, all within a collaborative academic environment. The program's emphasis on teaching, access to national conferences and culture that values feedback and professional development makes it an ideal place for Asif to advance as a thoughtful, well-rounded infectious disease physician.
Asif has a deep appreciation for exploring new cultures through travel and food, and she often seeks out local cuisines to immerse herself in different traditions. Beyond her love of discovering new places, she cherishes spending quality time with her family, whether it's enjoying meals together, enjoying lively conversations or creating lasting memories through trips and shared activities. Asif also enjoys hiking, spending time outdoors, staying active, photography and nurturing family bonds.
Nazin Naher, M.D.
Nazin Naher grew up in Bangladesh. Taking note of the strained health care system, she decided to pursue a career in medicine and earned her medical degree from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
Naher chose infectious diseases because it reflects everything she loves about internal medicine — thinking critically, managing complex cases and caring for patients with multiple health issues. She finds it fascinating to connect clinical clues with microbiological knowledge to determine the right treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic also inspired her; witnessing the dedication of infectious disease specialists who worked tirelessly to care for patients, even at great personal risk, moved her deeply and helped her realize she wanted to be part of a constantly evolvoing, intellectually challenging field that truly makes a difference in people's lives.
Naher believes Saint Louis University's infectious disease fellowship stands out because of its comprehensive approach to training, which offers a strong balance of clinical experiences and academic excellence. With its renowed faculty, the program provides Naher a unique blend of diverse clinical opportunities — particularly in the management of immunocompromised and transplant patients. Additionally, SLU's advanced research opportunities align with her professional goals. She is honored to be part of the SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine community and looks forward to growing as an infectious disease fellow.
Outside of work, Naher loves singing, travelling and playing games like badminton and chess.
- Assistant professor, Saint Louis University
- Physicians
- Banner Health in Phoenix, Arizona
- St. Luke's East Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas
- Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis, Missouri
- Mercy Hospital West in St. Louis, Missouri
- OSF Medical Group in Peoria, Illinois
- BJC Healthcare in Sullivan, Missouri
Apply
The fellowship program has two available positions each year. Interviews are held from August to November.
The program participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).
Review the Application Process
Research Track
Fellows in a research track will extend their training one to two years to conduct additional research.
Critical Care Track
Fellows interested in a combined infectious disease-critical care fellowship will extend their training one year to complete an additional critical care fellowship at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. They must notify the program director of their interest so special arrangements can be made for a separate application, interview and review.
About the SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Graduate Medical Education Program
SSM Health proudly sponsors the Graduate Medical Education Program at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. This university-based training program offers a world-class academic environment that fosters clinical excellence, research innovation and compassionate care. All program participants are employed by SSM Health, ensuring a cohesive and supportive experience within a nationally recognized health system.