Roles
Professor of Clinical Medicine
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Biography
Dr. Paola Lichtenberger, Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Chief of Infectious Disease at the Miami Veteran's Affairs Healthcare Center, embodies a synergistic career built on clinical education, dedicated antimicrobial stewardship, and extensive global health expertise. This culminates in her focused mission to advance Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) in Latin American Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
Born in Bogota, Colombia, Dr. Lichtenberger's foundational medical education was completed at the Universidad El Bosque in Colombia. She then pursued advanced training in the United States, undertaking her residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Miami and her fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami. She has published more than 50 articles in high impact journals in her areas of expertise.
This robust educational journey underpins her comprehensive understanding of both local and global health challenges. For many years, Dr. Lichtenberger was a cornerstone of infectious disease training, serving as the Infectious Disease Program Director at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami. In this capacity, and subsequently as an Associate Program Director, she not only guided fellows but also developed the Infectious Disease curriculum for University of Miami medical students, ensuring a strong foundation in infectious disease principles for emerging physicians.
Her commitment to combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is further exemplified by her leadership as Chair of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at the Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center where she leads multiple projects focused on optimization of anti-MRSA and anti-pseudomonal antimicrobial use as well as urine culture order optimization.
Dr. Lichtenberger's passion for global health, particularly in tropical medicine and disaster preparedness, has provided a rich foundation for her current focus on ASPs in LMICs. Through initiatives like the ACGME-approved tropical medicine international rotations developed by Tropical Medicine & Traveler’s Health program which she co-founded. These diverse experiences converge in her dedicated work towards the implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in LMICs within Latin America. Her expertise is further amplified collaborations with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) as an international consultant, where she actively advises on initiatives to educate and implement antimicrobial stewardship programs across Latin America and the Caribbean. This integrated approach allows her to effectively bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical implementation, making a tangible difference in the global fight against AMR. -
Education & Training
Education
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Publications
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