McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program

The Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship Program at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is a prestigious three-year training program, hosted at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Distinguished as the largest pulmonary practice in pediatric pulmonology in Chicago, this program is one of only two accredited training programs for pediatric pulmonology in the region. Each year, the program accepts only one fellow, allowing for a highly individualized education that prepares trainees for board certification in pediatric pulmonology and equips them with the necessary skills to become leaders in the care of patients with pulmonary conditions.

Curriculum and Training

The curriculum focuses on providing pediatric pulmonary fellows with robust training and a comprehensive understanding of pediatric lung conditions. The goal is to develop proficient clinicians, educators, and researchers in pediatric pulmonology. Educational experiences are experiential, with fellows participating in clinical encounters across inpatient, consultative, and outpatient settings.

Didactic Learning

Fellows are engaged in didactic learning through core pulmonary conferences held twice weekly, featuring presentations from faculty within the Division of Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine. Topics covered range from ongoing research projects to specialized subjects such as interstitial lung disease in newborns and pulmonary complications associated with diseases like HIV and sickle cell disorder. Additionally, fellows have the opportunity to participate in didactics from the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, including FIRM rounds and grand rounds.

Clinical Experience

Fellows gain substantial clinical experience, particularly during their first year, alongside several months dedicated to clinical practice in their second and third years. This includes managing a continuity clinic on a weekly basis and participation in specialty clinics such as cystic fibrosis, neuromuscular disorders, sleep medicine, and pulmonary hypertension. Facilities include full pulmonary function laboratories and state-of-the-art sleep centers, enhancing both clinical training and research opportunities.

Research Opportunities

The program emphasizes scholarly activity, requiring fellows to initiate research activities from the beginning of their training. Each fellow collaborates with a mentorship team to develop and execute a research project by their second and third years, which is supported by a Scholarly Oversight Committee to ensure its successful completion. Research interests include basic science, translational clinical research, healthcare disparities in pediatric respiratory diseases, and quality improvement projects.

Innovative Research Projects

Fellows have broad access to innovative research, with opportunities to work at the Simpson-Querry Biomedical Research Center, located near the hospital. The program has specific NIH-supported laboratory research initiatives focusing on cystic fibrosis and other pediatric lung conditions.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

Prospective fellows must have graduated from an accredited medical school and completed an accredited pediatric residency program. Candidates should be board-eligible or certified in pediatrics. Currently, the fellowship program does not accept H-1B visa applicants, which may influence international medical graduates. Furthermore, this fellowship is highly competitive due to its limited availability and the distinguished reputation of the program.

Visa Support

The program focuses on J-1 visa sponsorship for eligible pediatricians, reflecting its commitment to fostering a diverse cohort of fellows from various backgrounds.

Diversity and Inclusion

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine actively promotes diversity and inclusion among its trainees, ensuring that all fellows have access to resources and support that help them achieve their professional and personal goals. Various initiatives and forums within Northwestern aim to create an inclusive environment enhancing the educational experience for all fellows.

Fellow Life Experience

Fellows in the program enjoy a collaborative atmosphere where interdisciplinary cooperation is encouraged, providing a rich learning experience within the clinical setting. Past fellows report that this collaborative spirit is crucial in preparing them for future careers in pediatric pulmonology.