HIV infection

The Infectious Diseases division at USU includes Dr. Catherine Decker, an Infectious Diseases physician who is a clinician educator. Clinician educators provide clinical expertise to other healthcare providers, medical students and patients using their clinical skills and education which is directed towards improving patient outcomes. Dr. Decker is embedded in the Infectious Diseases clinic at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where she works closely with a cadre of active-duty Infectious Diseases physicians and is also involved in the teaching and mentoring of future ID physician in the ID fellowship program.  The Infectious Diseases clinic is a robust comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment clinic functioning both as an Infectious Diseases evaluation and treatment unit and a clinical research facility.  Longitudinal care is provided for over 500 patients living with HIV infection, including active duty, dependents and retirees as well as for over 200 patients receiving HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).  The unit is affiliated with the Henry M. Jackson foundation for the advancement of military medicine, which serves to promote and support clinical research endeavors in the Infectious Diseases clinic.   

As a clinician educator, Dr. Decker’s role includes engagement in clinical care of patients, teaching at all levels (medical students, residents and ID fellows) and involvement in scholarly activities that advance clinical medicine.  These are all valuable essential activities that advance the mission of the school of medicine.

Dr. Decker is also a longitudinal faculty preceptor for USU medical students.  This position is defined as an experienced faculty who helps students develop their clinical skills as they advance through their pre-clinical years.  Much of the teaching occurs at the USU simulation center, which allows for direct clinical observation, immediate clinical assessment of basic skills and student feedback. “