Old Dominion University Program

The Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine fellowship program at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is structured to cultivate outstanding clinicians, researchers, and leaders in the field. The program adopts a flexible, individualized approach to cater to each fellow’s career goals and aspirations. In addition to the traditional three-year fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care, the program also provides a two-year Critical Care fellowship track tailored for physicians from Internal Medicine or Emergency Medicine backgrounds, showcasing its commitment to diverse training pathways 1.

Among its unique offerings, the program presents combined three-year fellowships in Nephrology/Critical Care and Infectious Diseases/Critical Care, which are rare amongst similar programs. Furthermore, it has been designated as a pilot site for a combined fellowship in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. This opportunity allows fellows significant flexibility in their rotation schedules, enabling them to focus on interests such as critical care echocardiography, a variety of elective clinical experiences, and active participation in research 1.

Training Sites

The main training site for fellows is Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, renowned for being the only Level I trauma center in the area. This institution also hosts specialized units such as the burn trauma unit, pulmonary hypertension center, and the region's leading heart program. The program’s comprehensive training environment allows for exposure to a variety of specialized medical fields, including advanced heart failure, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), oncology, cardiothoracic surgery, and sleep medicine, ensuring that fellows gain a well-rounded fellowship experience 1.

Other notable training facilities include Inova Fairfax Hospital, an 833-bed medical center recognized nationally and consistently rated among the top hospitals in Virginia, where fellows complete rotations involving lung transplants. Additionally, fellows gain valuable clinical experience at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, expanding their training to both adult and pediatric populations 1.

Curriculum

The fellowship curriculum is designed for a thorough exploration of all areas pertaining to pulmonary and critical care medicine. The three-year program includes a structured rotation in multiple intensive care units, ensuring fellows acquire the competency required to manage complex clinical scenarios. Not only do fellows engage in intensive rotations, but they also have the opportunity to select electives tailored to their interests. These may include anesthesia, interventional pulmonary medicine, and sleep medicine, among others 3.

Fellows are expected to achieve proficiency in pulmonary and critical care procedures mandated by the American Board of Internal Medicine, which encompasses crucial interventions such as flexible bronchoscopy, central venous cannulation, and endotracheal intubation, among others. Although not required, the curriculum may also provide opportunities to learn advanced techniques like navigational bronchoscopy and percutaneous tracheostomy 3.

Visa Support and Application Requirements

The program actively supports international applicants in securing ECFMG certification and can sponsor J-1 visas for fellows engaged in graduate medical education. It states that applications will only be accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), maintaining a clear and organized selection process. Eligibility is aligned with the necessary documentation such as USMLE scores, recommendations, and transcripts, adhering strictly to academic and procedural standards 2.

Competitiveness and Additional Requirements

This fellowship program is highly competitive and emphasizes the importance of strong communication skills and personal attributes. Prospective fellows are expected to achieve or exceed a score of 200 on USMLE Steps 1 and 2 on first attempts and must pass the Clinical Skills test on the first attempt as well. Additionally, the program strongly prefers applicants not to have failed any USMLE attempts, underlining its commitment to maintaining high standards of medical education 2.

Benefits and Support

Fellows receive competitive stipends reviewed annually, alongside various benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. The benefits package is designed to support a balanced lifestyle, which includes provisions for maternity and paternity leave, sick leave, and educational leave for conferences and training opportunities. The training environment also focuses on wellness resources available to residents and fellows 4.

Overall, the fellowship program at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences aims to produce competent and confident specialists ready to make significant contributions to the fields of pulmonary disease and critical care medicine.