Kaiser Permanente Southern California (Los Angeles) Program

The Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center (LAMC) is designed to train the next generation of pulmonary and critical care specialists who demonstrate compassionate, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based practices. The program prioritizes a robust clinical experience rooted in patient-centered care while pursuing the development of independent thinking among its fellows.1

Program Overview

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center is a tertiary referral center and a 560-bed hospital that provides extensive care to KP members in Southern California. The program operates within a supportive educational environment, housing over 20 ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship programs and participating in clinical clerkship training with respected medical schools such as UCLA and Keck USC.1

Curriculum

The fellowship spans 36 months and includes at least 28 required clinical rotations, which encompass 11 ICU-based rotations, 11 pulmonary-based rotations, and an additional 6 focused on procedures and physiology. Approximately 70% of clinical time is spent at LAMC, while the remaining time occurs at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (CSMC). The clinical rotations are structured to provide comprehensive training in critical care.2

Clinical Rotations

Rotations at LAMC include:

• Medical ICU
• Pulmonary Consult
• Bronchoscopy/Respiratory Physiology
• Ambulatory Pulmonary Medicine
• Neuro ICU
• Cardiothoracic ICU

CSMC rotations feature:

• Medical ICU
• Pulmonary Consult/Pulmonary Vascular Disease
• Bronchoscopy
• Lung Transplant

Fellows can also choose electives in various specialties, including Chest Radiology, Cardiac Echocardiography, and more.2

Conferences and Training

The fellowship includes regular didactic lectures, case conferences, and morbidity and mortality conferences to facilitate ongoing education. Conferences address various topics in pulmonary and critical care medicine to enhance fellows' learning experiences.2

Facility

The LAMC features dedicated facilities for pulmonary and critical care medicine, including a fellows workroom, conference room, simulation center, and pulmonary rehabilitation lab. Access to state-of-the-art equipment and educational resources is paramount for successful training.3

Faculty

The faculty comprises a diverse group of experts in pulmonary and critical care medicine. They include leadership with extensive experience in various subspecialties, such as lung transplantation, pulmonary hypertension, and advanced bronchoscopy. The program promotes a collaborative environment, allowing fellows to engage with faculty mentors closely.4

Fellowship Positions and Competitiveness

The program offers 2 fellowship positions each year and is known to be competitive. Applicants need to demonstrate excellent academic performance, strong clinical skills, and a commitment to the field. The program is friendly towards those with diverse backgrounds, including DO and IMG candidates, although certain application elements may vary in nuance.1

Application Requirements

Applications are due by August 31, and interviews are conducted from September to November. Key points include:

• 2 Positions Offered
• Next Positions Available: July 1, 2025

The program encourages early submission, as interview slots may fill prior to the stated deadline.5

Visa Support

The program provides visa support for international applicants and can sponsor J-1 and H-1B visas, facilitating opportunities for IMGs to engage fully in the fellowship experience.1