Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center Program

The Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is a prestigious one-year program accredited by ACGME, designed to train specialists in advanced pulmonary procedures and management of pleural diseases. This fellowship is particularly unique due to its integrated approach involving close collaboration with thoracic surgery, oncology, and other specialties, providing fellows with a comprehensive education in the management of complex lung conditions.

The program admits one fellow per year, ensuring personalized training and close mentorship opportunities. The Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care offers a state-of-the-art bronchoscopy/pleural suite, enabling fellows to gain hands-on experience with the latest technologies and procedures. The fellow will be involved in the inpatient interventional pulmonology consultation service and will commit to ten weeks in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) to gain a broader perspective on critical care medicine and its intersection with pulmonology 1.

Program Details

The fellowship emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, particularly in managing lung cancer patients and those with benign airway conditions. The fellow will actively participate in advanced procedures and will assist in teaching basic bronchoscopy techniques to general pulmonology fellows, enhancing both their own learning experience and contributing to the educational environment of the fellowship 1.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum is designed to provide fellows with extensive procedural training focused on managing central airway obstruction, lung cancer, pleural diseases, and other specialized procedures. Fellows will be trained to perform a diverse array of procedures including:

• Advanced bronchoscopy procedures and airway stenting
• Rigid bronchoscopy
• Percutaneous tracheostomy
• Ultrasound-guided procedures
• Diagnostic bronchoscopy techniques such as EBUS and navigational bronchoscopy

This comprehensive hands-on experience ensures fellows develop the necessary skills to manage complex cases and leads to a competency in performing both routine and advanced procedures independently by the end of their training 1.

Research and Academic Engagement

Participants in the fellowship are encouraged to engage in research activities, including original research and multicenter projects. The program fosters opportunities for fellows to publish findings and collaborate across institutions, which is beneficial for developing a robust academic career in interventional pulmonology 1.

Application Process and Eligibility

The application process is conducted through the Association of Interventional Pulmonology Program Applicants. Qualified candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and should possess a board eligibility or certification in internal medicine. Notably, the program does not sponsor visas for international medical graduates, which may restrict opportunities for some candidates 1.

All interviews are conducted by invitation only, and the program encourages early application submission for timely processing. Interviews are arranged through Thalamus, a specialized interview scheduling service 1.

Training Environment and Support

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is recognized for its impressive resources, including a dedicated team of thoracic physicians and nursing support. The institutional commitment to wellness for its residents is evident, with a range of wellness initiatives designed to support emotional, social, and physical health 1.

Diversity and Inclusion

The fellowship program values diversity and inclusion, working actively to cultivate an environment that embraces cultural competence and equity in healthcare. This philosophy permeates all aspects of the training environment, from recruitment to mentorship opportunities 1.