Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Program

About the Fellowship

The Pulmonary Fellowship Training Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center offers three years of clinical and research training in pediatric pulmonary medicine for graduates of accredited general pediatrics residency programs. The program aims to equip the next generation of pediatric pulmonologists with the necessary skills to excel in clinical practices, research, and education 1.

This program is recognized for its intellectual rigor and teaching excellence, as the pulmonology program ranks #1 nationally in the U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals list for 2024-25 1. It benefits from robust NIH funding dedicated to both basic and clinical research. The program oversees high volumes of clinical procedures, performing over 1,600 flexible bronchoscopies, 2,200 sleep studies, and 8,000 pulmonary function tests annually. This provides fellows with extensive exposure and hands-on experience in the field of pulmonary medicine.

Furthermore, fellows within the program are encouraged to engage in clinical or basic science research, guided by a team of over 25 faculty mentors. Opportunities also exist for pursuing advanced degrees in areas such as medical education, public health, or clinical and translational research.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to offer a thorough foundation in pulmonary medicine through a blend of clinical experiences, research opportunities, and educational programming essential for academic success in pediatric pulmonary medicine. Over the three-year fellowship, fellows will accumulate a total of 12 months dedicated to inpatient rotations, providing inpatient pulmonary consults, and caring for patients on the pulmonary medicine service 3.

Weekly outpatient continuity clinics allow for continuity of care and patient follow-up. Rotations available under the program provide exposure to disorders such as Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), Cystic Fibrosis, Complex Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and others. Fellows are also immersed in interdisciplinary clinics that address broader health issues related to lung conditions.

In terms of research, fellows will dedicate 17 to 20 months throughout the fellowship pursuing scholarly work, which spans basic science and clinical research, further enhancing their professional skills and research capabilities.

Research Opportunities

The program emphasizes a strong research component, offering fellows rigorous training in basic, clinical, and translational research 4. The fellowship encourages hands-on experience and personalized mentorship to help fellows develop their research lines related to pulmonary medicine.

Research efforts are diverse, focusing on areas like lung fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis, and sleep studies involving various pediatric conditions. Notably, the center has been active in clinical trials and collaborates in multicenter studies, particularly for conditions like cystic fibrosis.

Visa Support

The Pulmonary Fellowship Training Program offers support for exceptional J1 visa applicants. However, it is important to note that the program does not consider applicants on H1B visas, thereby focusing its admissions criteria primarily on U.S. citizens and eligible international medical graduates 2.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

Admission to the fellowship is competitive, with the program accepting up to three new fellows each year 2. To apply, candidates must possess an MD or DO from an accredited medical school and be either board eligible or certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Applicants are required to submit a MyERAS application along with three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a medical school transcript, and USMLE or COMLEX scores as applicable.

Diversity and Inclusion Efforts

The program is actively engaged in increasing diversity and representation within the pediatric emergency medicine physician workforce. Institutional efforts are aimed at nurturing an inclusive learning environment, where an equitable growth process is promoted for all fellows 1.