Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center Program

The Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is an ACGME-accredited three-year program designed to prepare fellows for leadership roles in pulmonary and critical care medicine. The program enrolls four fellows annually, promoting an individualized educational experience tailored to each fellow's career aspirations and interests. The fellowship aims to cultivate exemplary training in a collegial and collaborative environment that emphasizes mentorship and support, allowing fellows to develop essential skills in various aspects of clinical medicine, medical education, and research.

The fellowship operates under the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, which is committed to patient care that meets institutional goals of respect, integrity, teamwork, and excellence. Each fellow receives personalized mentorship, ensuring they craft their educational paths effectively while receiving a comprehensive foundation across pulmonary and critical care disciplines 1.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is meticulously structured, encompassing a variety of rotations and training opportunities that enhance both clinical skills and research capabilities. The first year begins with a comprehensive orientation lasting four weeks, during which fellows participate in boot camp-style training on vital pulmonary and critical care topics, along with procedural and bronchoscopic training 1.

First-Year Rotations

After orientation, first-year fellows complete core clinical rotations that include:

• 20 weeks in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), which integrates two weeks of night float duties.
• 12 weeks in General Pulmonary Consult and Cystic Fibrosis Service.
• 12 weeks on Interventional Pulmonary Consults.

Each first-year fellow also receives dedicated training on mechanical ventilation and hands-on experience with respiratory therapy 1.

Second and Third-Year Curriculum

In the subsequent years, fellows split their time between continued clinical training and research pursuits. Clinical rotations typically include:

• In-house night float coverage and varied ICU rotations.
• Subspecialty clinics, such as sleep medicine and pulmonary rehabilitation.
• Airway training and extended rotations at affiliated specialty hospitals.

Additionally, each fellow engages in research relevant to their interests, furthering their academic pursuits while solidifying their clinical expertise 1.

Research Opportunities

Research plays a crucial role within the fellowship, as fellows are expected to engage in scholarly activity throughout their training. Supported by a robust faculty with diverse research interests, fellows can choose projects aligned with their career goals, which may encompass basic science, outcomes research, and medical education. By the second year, each fellow must establish a specific scholarly project under the guidance of a faculty mentor 1.

Training Sites

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is the primary training site for the fellowship. This institution, a 611-bed flagship facility and the only Level I pediatric and adult trauma center in Pennsylvania, provides exposure to a wide array of cases, including complex critical care scenarios across various specialties 1.

Diversity and Inclusivity Initiatives

The program embraces diversity, inclusion, and equity among its trainees and faculty. It features multiple institutional resources aimed at promoting an inclusive culture, including the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which organizes training and events focused on cultural competence 1.

Visa Support

The Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship offers visa sponsorship for eligible international medical graduates. The program primarily provides support for J-1 and H-1B visa types, which facilitate training opportunities for international physicians interested in enhancing their professional expertise in the United States 1.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

This fellowship is known for being competitive, with a high volume of applicants each year. Applicants are required to have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in internal medicine and must process applications through the ERAS system. The program encourages applications from both MD and DO graduates, as well as international medical graduates (IMGs), highlighting its commitment to fostering diverse cohorts of physicians.

Application requirements may include:

• No more than one failure on Step 1 or Step 2 of the USMLE.
• Completion of residency training within a specified timeframe.

Additional details regarding specific eligibility criteria can be obtained during the application process 1.