Maimonides Medical Center Program

The Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship at Maimonides Medical Center is a comprehensive and fully-accredited 2-year program designed to provide fellows with in-depth training in all aspects of pulmonary medicine. This program offers extensive experience in managing and treating a wide range of lung pathologies, preparing graduates for a successful career in pulmonary disease.

Curriculum Overview

The fellows are rigorously trained in technical procedures necessary for the practice of pulmonary medicine, utilizing a state-of-the-art endoscopy and procedure suite. Throughout the fellowship, they have the opportunity to rotate through multiple chronic care ventilator facilities, gaining proficiency in the management of mechanically ventilated patients. This hands-on experience is crucial due to the high volume of patients cared for in an urban setting, with the program drawing upon an inpatient population exceeding 700 patients.

Fellows engage in both inpatient and outpatient care, following patients from admission to discharge. A significant component of the program focuses on pulmonary physiology, with fellows interpreting pulmonary tests and supervising exercise testing. Critical care rotations are a staple of the curriculum, allowing fellows to provide urgent consultations for emergency room patients.

Training Structure

During the training, there is a strong emphasis on developing techniques and management skills related to mechanically ventilated patients. The curriculum is structured as follows:

• Critical Care Units: Fellows rotate through ICUs, learning to provide comprehensive critical care to patients.
• Chronic Care Ventilator Units: This rotation offers insights into the long-term management of ventilator-dependent patients.
• Sleep Disorders Rotation: Fellows experience training in a variety of sleep disorders at the Institute of Sleep and Breathing Disorders.

Research Opportunities

Research forms an integral part of the fellowship experience. The Pulmonary Division engages in multiple clinical research projects, requiring fellows to either participate or initiate a new project during their training. Areas of research include:

• Management of mechanically ventilated patients.
• Hemodynamics of septic shock.
• Use of blood and blood products in critically ill patients.
• Specialized needs of geriatric critically ill and ventilator-dependent patients.

All pulmonary trainees who complete the program are guaranteed a position in the critical care program, further enhancing their clinical experience and career development.

International Medical Graduate Considerations

The Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship is known for being friendly toward international medical graduates (IMGs). This open approach facilitates diverse learning experiences and underlines the program's commitment to an inclusive environment.

Visa Support

Maimonides Medical Center supports visa applications for fellowship candidates. Eligible visa types include H-1B and J-1 visas, making the program accessible to a broad range of international participants.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The fellowship is considered competitive, attracting applicants who have completed a prerequisite residency in Internal Medicine. Although there are no strict requirements for maximum attempts in STEP exams, candidates are typically expected to present a strong academic history, with particular focus on their performance in core areas relevant to pulmonary medicine.

Conclusion

The Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship at Maimonides Medical Center is structured to provide a balanced educational experience, combining academic theory with substantial clinical practice, ensuring that fellows emerge as proficient and confident pulmonary specialists capable of addressing complex patient needs.