About Us

The independent field of infectious diseases was formed in the 1960's during a time when hospitals began experiencing an increase in resistant bacteria. In 1970, the Centers for Disease Control published a report entitled "Comprehensive Hospital Infections Project" which recommended the need for hospitals to establish positions for an infection control nurse and a hospital epidemiologist. Michigan Medicine, ahead of its time, was already in the process of hiring an infectious diseases physician. In 1967, Dr. Robert Fekety was recruited, the first chief of the division, which set in motion the standard of excellence we continue today in patient care, research, education, and training.  

Patient Care Activities

Our division consists of over 40 full-time and adjunct faculty members who possess a broad range of knowledge in infectious disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and are dedicated to providing the best possible care for our patients. Outpatient consultation and treatment of our patients take place at the Infectious Disease Clinic at Taubman Health Center, Infectious Disease at Canton Health Center, and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. 

Research Activities

Our faculty members' research interests are many and include antimicrobial resistant organisms, healthcare-associated infections including Clostridium difficile infection, HIV and AIDS and associated opportunistic infections, retroviruses, bioterrorism and emerging infections, immune function after transplantation, hepatitis C infection, epidemiology of opportunistic infections after transplantation, and complicated urinary tract infections. Additionally, many of our faculty members hold joint appointments and perform research activities through the University of Michigan Department of EpidemiologyDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, and Institute of Gerontology.

Education and Training Activities

Our Infectious Diseases Fellowship Training Program provides both research-oriented and clinical training, allowing fellows to develop as physician-scientists or as infectious diseases clinicians. We value flexibility, and the learning experiences are customized to meet the individual goals of each fellow. Our division places a high value on the continual education of our faculty and fellows and holds weekly grand rounds and conferences to provide opportunities to learn and discuss recent cases, research findings, and up-to-date diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Leadership

Chief, Powel H. Kazanjian, MD, PhD

Dr. Powel H. Kazanjian is a Professor of Internal Medicine and the Director of the HIV/AIDS Treatment Program. He is also a Professor of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health and a Professor of History at the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. He has served as Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases since 2005. Dr. Kazanjian received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his Medical Degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. His academic background also includes a Master of Arts (History of Science) from Harvard University in 2003 and a Doctor of Philosophy (History) from the University of Michigan in 2012. He completed his fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Harvard Medical School.

After working as an infectious diseases clinician in Rhode Island for five years, he returned to Massachusetts, where he became an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Director of the AIDS Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. In 1994, Dr. Kazanjian was recruited to head the HIV/AIDS Treatment Program at the University of Michigan. Dr. Kazanjian continues in this role, and he now teaches an undergraduate course on the history of epidemic diseases and sexually transmitted diseases in the History Department of the University of Michigan.

Dr. Kazanjian’s medical research interests have focused on HIV infection, including outcomes of antiretroviral treatment in experienced patients and opportunistic infections associated with AIDS. Currently, his work centers on the history of specific infectious diseases, including HIV, syphilis, and botulism, as well as the history of bacteriology in America. Dr. Kazanjian's work places these diseases in a broad historical and social context, and it explores the changing ideas about disease causality, the social and cultural significance and impact of each disease, and the development and limitations of medical therapeutics and technologies.

Faculty Leadership

Tejal Gandhi, MD 
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Medical Director, Antimicrobial Stewardship Program

Daniel Kaul, MD
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Medical Director, Transplant Infectious Disease Service
Director, Fellowship Training Program

Krishna Rao, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Medical Director, Fecal Microbiota Transplant Program
 
Laraine Washer, MD
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Medical Director, Infection Prevention

Division Administrator

Jennifer Hawkins
Division Administrator
Department of Internal Medicine
University Hospital South F4138
1500 East Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5226
Phone: (734) 936-5215
Fax: (734) 998-2349
[email protected]

Contact Us

Division of Infectious Diseases Administrative Office

Michigan Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases
University Hospital South
1500 East Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5226
Phone: (734) 936-5205
Fax: (734) 936-2737

Patient Inquiries

Referring Physician Inquiries