Target Audience:

Faculty, residents, fellows, and community physicians in General Internal Medicine and subspecialties.

Educational Objectives:

The Road Less Traveled: Science, Mentors, and What Lies Ahead
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Describe the antimicrobial resistance crisis
• Increase awareness of poor COVID-19 vaccine responses in the immunocompromised
• Explain the syndrome of protracted SARS-CoV-2 in the immunocompromised
• Assess the limitations of antibody therapies for respiratory viral infections
• Increase awareness of the role of phage therapy for MDR infections

Think Well Program
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Increase awareness of educational needs and preferences of patients with kidney disease
• Describe the underutilization of available nutrition resources for people with kidney disease.
• Explain the importance of prescribing kidney disease and nutrition education to all patients with kidney disease.



Genotypic and Phenotypic adaptations of Enterococcus Faecium during Recurrent Bloodstream Infections
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Recognize that Enterococcus faecium is a ubiquitous, gram-positive GI-tract commensal that has become a concerning nosocomial pathogen
• Describe how few antibiotics are available to treat serious E. faecium infections and a growing percentage of healthcare-associated isolates have acquired vancomycin resistance (VREfm)
• Explain how patients at risk for invasive VREfm infections are among the most vulnerable
• Evaluate how VREfm bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a significant concern in our healthcare system

Suggested Additional Reading & Joint Accreditation Statement - Note: This Accreditation Statement Supersedes All Other Statements:

• Suggested Additional Reading:
  Haidar G, Hodges JC, Bilderback A, Lukanski A, Linstrum K, et al. Prospective Assessment of Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses to a Third COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Dose Among Immunocompromised Individuals. J Infect Dis. 2024 May 15;229(5):1328-1340. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiad511. PMID: 37972260.
• Haidar G, Kline EG, Kitsios GD, et al. Emergence of high-level aztreonam-avibactam and cefiderocol resistance following treatment of an NDM-producing Escherichia coli bloodstream isolate exhibiting reduced susceptibility to both agents at baseline. JAC Antimicrob Resist. 2024 Sep 5;6(5):dlae141. doi: 10.1093/jacamr/dlae141. PMID: 39239090; PMCID: PMC11375572.
• Haidar G, Thomas S, Loubet P, et al. Efficacy and safety of sipavibart for prevention of COVID-19 in individuals who are immunocompromised (SUPERNOVA): a randomized, controlled, double-blind, phase 3 trial. Lancet Infect Dis. 2025 Feb 24;. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00804-1. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 40015292.
• Jimenez EY, Kelley K, Schofield M, et al. Medical Nutrition Therapy Access in CKD: A Cross-sectional Survey of Patients and Providers. Kidney Med. 2020;3(1):31-41.e1. Published 2020 Nov 11. doi:10.1016/j.xkme.2020.09.005
• Ndumele CE, Neeland IJ, Tuttle KR, et al. A Synopsis of the Evidence for the Science and Clinical Management of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023/11/14 2023;148(20):1636-1664. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001186
• Lloyd-Jones DM, Allen NB, Anderson CAM, et al. Life’s Essential 8: Updating and Enhancing the American Heart Association’s Construct of Cardiovascular Health: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2022/08/02 2022;146(5):e18-e43. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001078
  Joshi S, McMacken M, Kalantar-Zadeh K. Plant-Based Diets for Kidney Disease: A Guide for Clinicians. Am J Kidney Dis. 2021;77(2):287-296. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2020.10.003

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^™.In support improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This educational activity is approved for 1.0 contact hours.

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.