OhioHealth/Doctors Hospital Program

The Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship at Doctors Hospital, part of OhioHealth, is a comprehensive 36-month program designed for osteopathic trained Internal Medicine residents to receive advanced training in pulmonary diseases and critical care medicine. This program, which welcomed its first trainee in August 2006, is structured to ensure fellows gain both knowledge and practical competency required to excel in both disciplines.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship curriculum includes extensive education in critical skills such as bronchoscopy and other procedures essential to the practice of pulmonary critical care medicine. The program aims to give fellows adequate opportunities to diagnose and create treatment plans for patients dealing with a variety of pulmonary diseases and life-threatening illnesses.1

Fellows will engage in their training through a progressively increasing level of responsibility for the care of critically ill patients. This structured approach allows for the observation of patient care from consults to ICU/CCU rounds and floor rounds, enhancing the learning experience.1

Additionally, the program emphasizes the integration of osteopathic principles throughout the training and provides ample opportunities to care for patients post-heart surgery, thus diversifying clinical exposure.1

Clinical Rotations and Training Sites

Fellows will be able to participate in various electives, including trauma and surgical ICU experiences outside of Doctors Hospital, which bolsters their understanding and practice of critical care medicine.1

The fellowship's innovative curriculum allows for meaningful patient encounters that support the natural history of pulmonary disease recognition and management, while allowing fellows to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions through direct patient care roles.1

Research Opportunities

The program encourages fellows to engage in research activities that can enhance their understanding of pulmonary and critical care medicine further. Collaborations with faculty and access to learning resources facilitate the development of research projects that can contribute to the field.2

Faculty and Mentoring

Fellows will work closely with a dedicated team of experienced faculty members, including four core faculty at Doctors Hospital and multiple staff at affiliated institutions. This diverse faculty team provides in-depth insights and personalized guidance for fellows throughout their training.2

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

Prospective fellows must possess a background in Internal Medicine and demonstrate qualifications through their application, letters of reference, and a personal interview. The program does have special application considerations, such as allowable years since graduation and caps on the number of failed STEP exams for applicants. Overall, the fellowship is known to be competitive, yet it remains supportive of DO candidates and IMGs.2

Visa Support

The program is equipped to support visa applications for international medical graduates, specifically for J-1 and H-1B visas, providing essential assistance to fellows needing sponsorship during their training period in the United States.1

Compensation and Benefits

Fellows at OhioHealth receive competitive salaries, comprehensive insurance coverage, and several additional benefits such as childcare assistance and meal stipends, ensuring a supportive environment throughout the fellowship training.2