Sutter Health/California Pacific Medical Center

The Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program at California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) offers an accredited three-year fellowship with two positions available each year. This program is designed to train physicians in both pulmonary and critical care medicine, providing diverse clinical experiences and exposure to a wide array of pathologies common within these specialties.

During the fellowship, trainees will spend significant time at three crucial locations: the Van Ness Campus of CPMC, the Alameda County Medical Center-Highland Hospital in Oakland, and the Davies Campus. The Van Ness Campus is CPMC's newest and largest site, serving as a tertiary care referral center. Fellows will lead the medical ICU team, offer care to solid organ transplant recipients, and consult on pulmonary services, enhancing their clinical skills in critical care environments.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum is structured to provide hands-on training with an emphasis on evidence-based, high-quality, compassionate care. Throughout the fellowship, rotations will cover intensive care units, pulmonary consults, trauma, and various outpatient pulmonary continuity clinics, which are essential for developing a well-rounded skill set in both clinical and procedural aspects of pulmonary medicine.

Fellows will have extensive access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a fully equipped interventional pulmonary team that enables them to gain valuable experience with advanced bronchoscopic procedures. The program also emphasizes research, allowing fellows to engage in projects that contribute to the advancement of pulmonary medicine.

Research and Educational Opportunities

The fellowship incorporates numerous opportunities for clinical research and educational conferences. These initiatives ensure that fellows are well-prepared to implement the latest advances in pulmonary care and critically evaluate scientific literature. Mentorship is a key component of the training experience, with faculty dedicated to supporting fellow’s professional development and growth.

Salary and Benefits

The fellowship provides competitive salary and benefits packages. Fellows are not required to take at-home pager calls, as there is always an in-house intensivist available to handle after-hours consultations. Each fellow works a block of four consecutive night shifts when in the ICU, coupled with one weekend of work each month. Fellows must also work one of the holiday weekends during the year.

Life in San Francisco

Fellows often choose to live in various neighborhoods around the Van Ness campus such as Nob Hill or Pacific Heights, although some opt for the East Bay for potentially lower rental costs. The commute is manageable, with traffic typically taking about 15-20 minutes in the morning eastbound and 30-45 minutes returning westbound. Additionally, the program reimburses Bay Bridge tolls while fellows are on duty.

Application Process and Requirements

Applications for the fellowship must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS), as the program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applicants are required to submit a complete application package which includes three letters of recommendation (one from the Chief of Medicine, a Cardiology program director, or a prior program director), USMLE scores from Steps 1, 2, and 3, a personal statement, and a passport-style photograph. It is worth noting that, as of the latest updates, CPMC does not sponsor J1 or H1B visas; thus, applicants should ensure their medical school is recognized by the Medical Board of California before applying.

Competitiveness and Diversity

The fellowship is described as competitive, seeking highly qualified candidates. CPMC values diversity and encourages applications from both Domestic and International Medical Graduates (IMGs). While the selection process considers multiple aspects of a candidate's profile, the program aims to foster a welcoming environment for all qualified applicants.