Temple University's Infectious Disease Department: A Storied History Combined With a Family-Based Culture

We are introducing the first installment of our new series, Media Day, where we spotlight individual medical institutions and infectious disease (ID) programs. We begin the series with Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Rafik Samuel, MD, came to Temple University Hospital in the early 1990s for his residency and never left. “The section of infectious diseases had amazing, amazing mentors and faculty, and I wanted to learn with them, so I was able to do my fellowship here,” Samuel said. “A position opened up for HIV treatment, so I was able to join the faculty. I joined my mentors, who then became my friends and I never had a reason to leave.”

He rose through the ranks to eventually become the department's chief at the hospital.

The History and Evolution of Infectious Disease Department

Sol Sherry, MD, joined Temple University’s medical school as chair of the Department of Medicine in the late 1960s. Sherry hired Robert Swenson, MD, who became Temple’s first infectious disease specialist. Swenson was the sole faculty member and became the founding Chief of the new section of infectious diseases in 1969. Bennet Lorber, MD, became the department’s first fellow and Samuel notes that it has morphed from 2 people into a staff of 12 faculty and 8 fellows.

In terms of the makeup of the infectious disease department, Samuel says they have transitioned from a more general infectious disease department to one with specialized areas within ID. “Our section now is made up of people who have interests in transplant ID, HIV-related medicine, infection prevention, antibiotic stewardship—a whole bunch of different specialties as the field has evolved.”

In terms of traditions, Samuel discusses the celebrations the department’s team holds at the end of a rotation as well as throughout the year.

“At the end of every rotation for our students, we have a pizza lunch, and we ask each of the medical students to do a haiku...and it can be on any topic,” Samuel said. He also mentions an annual baseball game, wine-themed get togethers, and birthday celebrations.

“One thing that has always been handed to me from the section chiefs before me is that ID is a family,” Samuel said, We work hard, we work together, and the goal is to be with people that away from home are your family.”

To learn more about Temple’s infectious disease program, go here.

Look for the next episode tomorrow where Samuel talks about HIV clinical care at Temple and the fellows experience in training and education.