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Welcome to the Medical College of Wisconsin Allergy and Immunology Fellowship Program 

Our fellowship program at the Medical College of Wisconsin is designed to train the future generations of allergists and immunologists in a supportive and collaborative environment. Our fellows spend most of their clinical time in the outpatient clinics at Children’s Wisconsin, where we see patients of all ages including children and adults. Fellows also spend one half day per week in clinic at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center and one half-day per week in the Immunodeficiency Clinic (IDC) at Children’s. Fellows also see inpatient consultations at our three hospital locations: Children’s Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, and the Zablocki VA. As a tertiary referral center, our trainees have a unique opportunity to see both rare and common allergic and immunologic conditions. In addition to clinical training, all fellows complete a scholarly project focused on an area they are interested in. Our graduates are prepared to have rewarding careers in both academic and community settings and beyond.
Pediatrics social gathering

A Message from Our Program Director

Barry Joel Pelz, MDWe have an outstanding fellowship program that is set apart from others by a few unique aspects. Unlike many other academic programs, here at MCW we see children and adults all in the same clinic. This is an amazing way to train in Allergy/Immunology as our team (attendings, fellows, advance practice providers, nurses and medical assistants) and location are always consistent. Additionally, our faculty, all of whom practice primarily in our main clinic and see patients of all ages, have expertise in the entire gamut of allergic and immunologic diseases as well as in the whole spectrum of academic and scholarly activity including basic, clinical, and translation research, quality improvement, and medical education. We are a medium-sized section which devotes a lot of individualized attention to each one of our fellows. Another strength of our program is dedicated time for teaching and learning each Friday afternoon. Our goal is to support each of our trainees to help them grow, develop, and learn as a clinician and a human being so that ultimately, they are prepared to succeed in the field of allergy and immunology. While our expectation is that our fellows work hard, we also expect that our fellows will work together with each other and our faculty and have fun both inside and outside of work.

Barry Pelz, MD
Program Director

 

As an Allergy and Immunology fellow you will...

  • Develop the skills and expertise to independently practice as an allergist and clinical immunologist in an academic or community-based practice.
  • Attain a comprehensive and robust clinical experience caring for patients of all ages in outpatient clinics and inpatient consults.
  • Complete a scholarly project based on your interests and with supportive mentorship.
  • Work with an accomplished and collaborative team in the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology consisting of eight faculty with a passion for educating future allergists and immunologists.

About Our Institutions

Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)

The Medical College of Wisconsin brings together the most inquisitive minds in science, medicine, education and community engagement to solve the toughest challenges in health and society today. Academic medicine is at the core, where scientists, physicians and students work hand-in-hand with the community to ask the questions no one else is and fuel the continuous cycle of knowledge that’s shaping the future of medicine.

Learn more about MCW

Children’s Wisconsin

Children’s Wisconsin is the region’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. We offer a wide range of care and support for children of all ages. Our services include medical care, dental care, child and family counseling, foster care, adoption, social services, child advocacy and injury prevention.

Learn more about Children’s Wisconsin

About Our Fellowship

Our program has been in place since 1985 and was reaccredited by the ACGME in 2024.  We accept 2 fellows per year for a total of 2 years of fellowship training.    

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Clinical Experience

Fellows will gain ample clinical experience in an array of settings. Our outpatient clinics provide combined pediatric and adult care allowing consistent exposure to all age groups where fellows will continuously build strong clinical skills. Fellows see inpatient consults at our pediatric hospital, Children’s Wisconsin, and our affiliated adult hospitals, Froedtert Hospital and the Zablocki VA, conveniently located close to Children’s Wisconsin. All our attendings see consults at all 3 locations. We are proud to be a Jeffrey Modell Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies where fellows will have the unique opportunity to see patients referred from across the country for care of immunologic diseases. We have multi-disciplinary clinics that serve high risk asthmatics and provide comprehensive support for food allergic patients. This strong outpatient and inpatient base provide excellent experience in caring for a variety of allergic and immunologic conditions from the common conditions seen in every allergy and clinical immunology practice to the more complex diseases seen only at tertiary centers. Based on individual interest, fellows will have opportunities to do electives in adult or pediatric clinics in related fields such as pulmonary, rheumatology, dermatology, infectious disease, gastroenterology, and otolaryngology.

Educational Experience

Our fellows will participate in a myriad of clinical and didactic educational experiences. Weekly conferences are protected so all fellows, attendings and advanced practice providers can attend. Sessions dedicated to educating our Allergy and Immunology fellows include Allergy and Immunology specific grand rounds, mini lectures focused on core Allergy and Immunology topics with a focus on board preparation, and case conference. There is also an Allergy and Immunology journal club every month. Fellows will have the opportunity to attend state and national Allergy and Immunology annual meetings including the Wisconsin Allergy Society, ACAAI, and AAAAI. Fellows will participate in the FACTS (Fellow Advancement through Career Development, Training, and Scholarship) Program and have access to other weekly educational conferences at the Medical College of Wisconsin such as pediatric and internal medicine grand rounds and Children’s Research Institute presentations.

Research Experience

Depending on their interest, fellows will have a variety of options to complete their scholarly activity including basic or clinical research or a quality improvement and safety project. With a faculty mentor(s), the FACTS (Fellow Advancement through Career Development, Training, and Scholarship) Program, and their individual Scholarly Oversight Committee, fellows will be supported to ensure they are successful in their scholarly endeavors. Fellows will have the opportunity to present their work at the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) or American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) annual meeting.

Apply

Applications will be accepted through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). Applications will be accepted from US-trained pediatric residents, internal medicine residents, and combined medicine-pediatrics residents as well as from international residents. Complete applications will need to include an applicant’s curriculum vitae, personal statement, Dean’s letter, letters of support, medical school transcript, relevant scores (USMLE or ECFMG), registration in the National Resident Matching Program, and a digital photograph.

Apply via ERAS

FACTS (Fellow Advancement through Career Development, Training, and Scholarship) Program

As a fellow, you will participate in the FACTS Program and embark on a journey that not only enhances your professional skills but also fosters meaningful connections with peers across various pediatric subspecialties. FACTS is a comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance your education through career development, scholarly activities, and personalized learning experiences. FACTS offers centralized education on core topics relevant to all pediatric subspecialties, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing among fellows. The curriculum emphasizes individualized education by providing multiple offerings in certain time slots, allowing you to tailor your learning to your specific interests and career goals. Through shared learning sessions and collaborative projects, you'll build lasting relationships that support both your personal and professional growth, preparing you to excel as a well-rounded pediatric subspecialist.

Learn more about our Curriculum

Living and Training in Milwaukee

Milwaukee skyline photo by © 2019 VISIT Milwaukee

Milwaukee is one of the Midwest’s best-kept secrets and a prime location for the Medical College of Wisconsin’s main campus. A one-of-a-kind city with a vibrant and diverse culture, this charming, yet metropolitan must-see is just 90 minutes north of Chicago and nestled on the coast of Lake Michigan. Whether you’re catching a show at Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, immersing yourself in the old world charm of the Historic Third Ward or taking in the sights and sounds of one of the many cafés, beer gardens or restaurants that line the city’s riverbank and shoreline, Milwaukee never disappoints. Find out why MCW students, faculty and employees take pride in calling Milwaukee home.

I went to MCW for residency and chose to stay for fellowship because I felt well supported by the people in our allergy and immunology department. During residency, the faculty provided me with the resources and guidance I needed to succeed. Whether it was though mentorship in research or individualized teaching during clinics, I always felt that our attendings truly cared for my academic growth. Milwaukee is a mid-sized city with plenty to do and has great cost of living. I especially love spending time outdoors here during the summertime; hiking/ biking trails, parks, and the lakefront are some of my favorite places here.

Ilakkiya Thanigaivelan, MD

Meet Our Team

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Barry Joel Pelz, MD

Assistant Professor; Program Director, Allergy and Immunology Fellowship

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Leslie M. Gimenez, MD

Associate Professor; Associate Program Director, Allergy and Immunology Fellowship

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Hayley Severson, MLIS

Education Program Coordinator II

Contact Us

Barry Pelz, MD
Assistant Professor
Program Director, Allergy and Immunology Fellowship
bpelz@mcw.edu
(414) 266-6840

 

Leslie Gimenez, MD
Associate Professor
Associate Program Director, Allergy and Immunology Fellowship
lgimenez@mcw.edu
(414) 266-6840

 

Hayley Severson
Fellowship Coordinator
hseverson@mcw.edu