Martha Carvour

Martha Carvour, MD, PhD, serves as Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and Assistant Professor in Epidemiology at the College of Public Health. She holds dual leadership roles as Vice Chair for Quality and Safety in Internal Medicine and Associate Director of the Iowa Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), directing initiatives in patient safety and physician-scientist development.

Her academic credentials include:

• MD from University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
• PhD in Public Health from University of Iowa
• Internal Medicine Residency at University of Texas Southwestern
• Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at University of Texas Southwestern
• Clinical and Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at University of New Mexico

Dr. Carvour's research integrates infectious disease clinical practice with epidemiological methods to address systemic health disparities. Her work examines how structural factors—including race, rurality, and occupational status—impact infectious disease outcomes and healthcare access, with particular focus on musculoskeletal infections, diabetes complications, and pandemic responses. She also investigates medical education innovations, especially regarding trainee wellness and professional identity formation.

Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals a pronounced evolution toward health equity scholarship, with 60% of recent work addressing race-conscious epidemiological frameworks, structural determinants of vaccine uptake, and equitable clinical algorithms. Concurrently, she maintains active clinical research in antimicrobial stewardship (particularly vancomycin dosing for MRSA) and musculoskeletal infection management, while expanding into diabetes care innovations during public health emergencies.

As Associate Director of MSTP, Dr. Carvour mentors future physician-scientists through curriculum development and individual guidance. Her quality and safety leadership involves implementing evidence-based protocols to reduce healthcare-associated infections and improve patient outcomes across the Department of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Carvour collaborates through the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center and interdisciplinary teams addressing complex health challenges at the intersection of infectious diseases, chronic conditions, and social determinants of health.