New York Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia Campus) Program

The Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital and Columbia University is a prominent program specifically designed to provide advanced training in pediatric pulmonology. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and has consistently been ranked among the top pediatric pulmonology programs in the tri-state area. The mission of the program is to equip fellows with comprehensive clinical and research training, fostering a commitment to improving children's respiratory health.

Overview

This three-year fellowship is targeted at candidates who have successfully completed a pediatric residency from an accredited institution. The training period is structured into clinical and research segments: fellows generally dedicate 14 months to clinical experiences and the remaining 19 months to academic research. This balance emphasizes the program’s commitment to producing skilled pediatric pulmonologists who are competent in both clinical practices and research methodologies.

The fellows gain substantive clinical experience through active participation in both outpatient and inpatient settings, acquiring exposure to various pediatric pulmonary conditions.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the program is designed to provide fellows with comprehensive training in pediatric pulmonology. Clinical fellows engage in outpatient clinics on a weekly basis while managing the inpatient service for half of their first year. They supervise the care of patients with primary pulmonary illnesses and are involved in consultations for children experiencing respiratory complications. Moreover, fellows have opportunities to perform flexible bronchoscopies under faculty supervision.

The Pulmonary Division provides a variety of essential clinical services and programs, including:

• Sarah E. Nash Lung Center
• Aerodigestive Center
• Bronchoscopy Program
• Asthma Research and Clinical Program
• Cystic Fibrosis Center
• Pediatric Neuromuscular Center
• Pediatric Sleep Disorders Center
• Tracheostomy/Home Ventilation/Technology Dependent Program
• Interstitial Lung Disease Program
• Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Program
• Chronic Lung Diseases of Infancy Program
• Pulmonary Function Test Laboratory
• Exercise Physiology Laboratory

During their outpatient electives, fellows rotate through these specialty clinics. Additional elective time in the second or third year allows for further immersion in related specialties such as critical care, pediatric radiology, sleep medicine, lung transplant medicine, and anesthesiology.

Research Opportunities

Fellows are encouraged to choose a research track and mentor during their first year. Columbia University provides access to an array of clinical and basic scientists as research mentors. The division has ongoing collaborations with experts in microbiology, cellular biology, genetics, development, anesthesiology, and immunology. Fellows participate in research projects focusing on topics like cystic fibrosis, asthma, interstitial lung disease, sleep medicine, and exercise physiology. They are expected to present their findings at national meetings and publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Educational Experiences

The educational structure includes various weekly seminars and conferences, such as:

• Interdisciplinary cystic fibrosis team conferences
• Core curriculum lectures on pulmonary physiology and pathophysiology
• Clinical case conferences
• Sleep study interpretation conferences
• Board review sessions and journal clubs
• Radiology rounds

Fellows are actively involved in teaching residents and medical students, enhancing the educational impact of the program.

Why Choose Columbia?

The fellowship program benefits from its affiliation with Columbia University Irving Medical Center, which serves a diverse and high-volume patient population. This setting provides a robust mix of complexity in pediatric pulmonology disorders, ensuring all fellows receive comprehensive training across the spectrum of pulmonary care. The presence of a collaborative environment and experienced faculty dedicated to education and training makes Columbia an excellent choice for aspiring pediatric pulmonologists.

Visa and Competitiveness

The program is highly competitive and seeks candidates with a strong foundation in pediatrics. Unique to this program is the information that it does not sponsor H1B visa trainees, limiting availability to certain Visa types such as J-1 Visas for eligible candidates.

Application Requirements

Applicants for the fellowship must be board eligible or board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. A complete application includes the ERAS forms along with three letters of recommendation (including one from the residency director), a personal statement, and a curriculum vitae. It is important to note that fellows are typically encouraged to have no more than one failed USMLE Step exam in order to be considered.