SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Program

The Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at Saint Louis University School of Medicine offers a comprehensive three-year subspecialty training program accredited by the ACGME. This program is designed to prepare fellows in all aspects of pulmonary disease and critical care medicine through rigorous clinical and didactic training.

The fellowship encompasses a total of 36 months of clinical training, with rotations primarily at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital. These rotations include experiences in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), consultative pulmonary medicine, anesthesiology, and specialized laboratories for pulmonary function, exercise, and sleep studies. The clinical facilities coupled with exceptional laboratory research opportunities create an ideal environment for fellows to gain expertise in both the diagnosis and management of respiratory disorders and critical care medicine 1.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is meticulously structured to ensure that fellows receive comprehensive training in a variety of key areas:

Clinical Rotations

Fellows engage in an array of clinical rotations focused on diagnosing and managing both common and complex pulmonary diseases. Major components of the program include:

• Medical Intensive Care Unit Service: This rotation involves comprehensive care for patients with critical medical illnesses, with fellows serving as team leaders and participating in patient management, including invasive ICU procedures.
• Pulmonary Consultation Service: Fellows provide consultations across the hospital, collaborating closely with attending physicians and supervising internal medicine residents and medical students.
• Ambulatory Pulmonary Clinic: This experience allows fellows to manage outpatient respiratory disorders, including cystic fibrosis clinics.
• Polysomnography and Sleep Disorders Center: Training focuses on the assessment and management of sleep disorders, complemented by direct interactions with faculty on interpreting polysomnograms 1.

Teaching and Research Opportunities

Fellows are encouraged to develop teaching skills while participating in various educational activities, including ward rounds and conferences. Teaching second-year medical students physical diagnosis is an integral part of the fellowship. Furthermore, fellows are provided ample opportunities to engage in research, with expectations to publish and present findings at national conferences under faculty guidance. This training prepares fellows for successful academic careers in pulmonary and critical care medicine 1.

Conferences and Professional Development

The fellowship emphasizes continuous learning through regular conferences designed to enhance knowledge and skills in pulmonary medicine. These include:

• Weekly Conferences: Featuring divisional grand rounds and interdepartmental discussions, these conferences facilitate sharing of clinical cases and research findings.
• Core Curriculum Conference: Focused on key areas such as pulmonary anatomy, diagnostics, pathology, and therapeutics.
• Journal Club: Fellows engage in critical discussions of recent literature, fostering analytical thinking and evidence-based practice.

Additionally, fellows benefit from mentorship by experienced faculty, who guide them in both clinical practice and research endeavors 1.

Application Process and Requirements

Potential applicants to the fellowship must submit their applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), and the program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). The program is competitive and is open to candidates holding J-1 and H-1B visas. Required materials for application include:

• ERAS Application
• USMLE or COMLEX-USA Transcript
• Medical School Transcripts
• MSPE (Dean's Letter)
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• ECFMG Status Report
• Personal Statement

All submissions must be completed prior to consideration for an interview invitation, which is communicated via the ERAS email system. The fellowship maintains a rigorous selection process ensuring highly qualified candidates 1.

Competitiveness and Candidate Profile

The fellowship is regarded as highly competitive, attracting a diverse group of applicants including those from DO and IMG backgrounds. Candidates are expected to exhibit strong clinical acumen, research experience, and a commitment to the field of pulmonary medicine. The program aims to develop future leaders in the specialty who are well-equipped to excel in both clinical and academic settings.