University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria Program

Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship Overview

The Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria provides an exceptional training experience in pulmonary medicine and critical care through a collaboration with OSF HealthCare, a leading healthcare system in Illinois and Michigan. Fellows benefit from a unique university-based training experience in a modern, community-based tertiary care teaching hospital. The program focuses on preparing outstanding specialists equipped with the skills necessary for successful clinical practice in both Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine.

Key Program Features

The fellowship program includes several key features designed to enhance the educational experience of the fellows:

• Diverse ambulatory pulmonology clinic experience
• Access to web-based learning resources, including board review materials
• Engaging weekly faculty lectures
• Interactive case-based teaching sessions
• Extensive simulation opportunities at a state-of-the-art simulation center

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum is structured across three years of training, with a variety of rotations and responsibilities:

First Year (FY1)

• 1 week in Interventional Pulmonary Lab
• 3 weeks in Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
• 1 week in Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)
• 2 weeks in Pulmonary
• 1 week of night shifts
• 1 week of clinic
• 2 weeks for research
• 1 week of electives

Second Year (FY2)

• 1 week in Interventional Pulmonary Lab
• 2 weeks in MICU
• 1 week in CCU
• 1 week in Sleep Medicine
• 1 week in Neurology
• 1 week of night shifts
• 1 week of clinic
• 2 weeks for research
• 2 weeks of electives

Third Year (FY3)

• 2 weeks in Interventional Pulmonary Lab
• 1 week in MICU
• 1 week in CCU
• 1 week in Pulmonary
• 2 weeks in Neurology
• 1 week of night shifts
• 1 week of clinic
• 1 week for research
• 2 weeks of electives

Fellows are assigned to continuity clinics located at OSF Medical Group in Lung and Pulmonology, where they maintain direct patient care responsibilities.

Didactics and Conferences

The fellowship emphasizes the importance of didactics and includes regular case conferences, didactic lectures, and various board review sessions. Conferences are scheduled as follows:

• Tuesday: Fellows Case Conference
• Wednesday: Attending Didactic Lecture
• Thursday: Board Review Videos and Discussion
• Friday: Lung Cancer Tumor Board and Journal Club

Fellows are expected to present interesting cases and collaborate with peers and faculty to promote comprehensive learning.

Training Facilities

The program's main teaching facility, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, is a Level 1 trauma center, consisting of 649 beds and serving a large referral area. The facility supports advanced procedures and features a comprehensive interventional pulmonary laboratory. Additionally, the Jump Simulation facility provides a range of procedural skills training opportunities, utilizing advanced simulation technologies to enhance fellows' technical expertise.

Fellows have access to outpatient care through OSF Medical Group – Lung and Pulmonology, located conveniently near the main campus. This clinic specializes in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine.

Visa Support

The program supports international applicants with visa sponsorship, specifically offering support for J1 and H-1B visas. This facilitates the enrollment of qualified international medical graduates into the fellowship program.

Application Requirements

Applicants to the Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship must fulfill specific requirements:

For U.S. Medical Graduates:

• Completed ERAS application
• Medical school transcript
• USMLE or COMLEX scores (Steps I, II, and III)
• Three letters of recommendation, including a Program Director’s letter
• Personal Statement
• Curriculum Vitae

For International Medical Graduates:

• Completed ERAS application
• Medical school transcript with actual grades
• USMLE scores (Steps I, II, and III)
• Three letters of recommendation, including a Program Director’s letter
• Personal Statement
• Curriculum Vitae
• Current ECFMG certification
• Current photo

Demonstrated strong performance on clinical rotations, teamwork, examination results, and scholarly output will enhance consideration in the selection process.

Competitiveness

The Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship is characterized as a highly competitive program. It seeks well-rounded applicants with a strong track record across academic and clinical settings, including a solid foundation in teamwork, varied clinical experiences, and indicative scholarly contributions.

Alumni Success and Career Progression

Recent alumni have successfully transitioned into distinguished roles in academia, private practice, and further fellowship opportunities. The program emphasizes a high board pass rate and prepares fellows for diverse practice options upon completion.