University of New Mexico School of Medicine Program

University of New Mexico School of Medicine Fellowship in Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine

The University of New Mexico School of Medicine offers a comprehensive fellowship program in Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, providing a rigorous educational experience across various platforms in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The fellowship aims to create well-rounded clinicians capable of tackling complex clinical problems in a supportive environment enriched with academic and practical training opportunities.

Fellowship Tracks and Requirements

The program comprises a three-year Pulmonary and Critical Care track, a two-year Critical Care track, and a one-year Sleep Medicine track. Specific requirements for admission include:

• Three-Year Pulmonary Critical Care Track: Completion of an ACGME-accredited internal medicine residency program.
• Two-Year Critical Care Track: Successful fulfillment of an ACGME-accredited residency in internal medicine or emergency medicine. Applicants can apply during their final year of residency training.
• One-Year Sleep Medicine Track: Completion of an ACGME-accredited internal medicine subspecialty training in various fields such as cardiology or nephrology. Applicants may also apply during their last training year.

While the program accepts applications from both U.S. citizens and permanent residents, it importantly accommodates J-1 visa holders. However, fellows are not accepted for training on H-1B visas, making it essential for prospective fellows to consider their visa status during application.

Training Curriculum and Rotations

The training curriculum for the fellowship is designed to ensure that fellows experience a blend of clinical exposure, academic knowledge, and procedural competencies. The program includes multiple training sites, providing exposure to varied patient populations and complex clinical cases:

• University of New Mexico Hospital: The primary training facility encompasses significant resources such as a dedicated bronchoscopy suite and an advanced simulation lab known as the 'BATCAVE.' Fellows will complete rotations in medical ICU, pulmonary consult services, and specialized outpatient clinics providing exposure to interstitial lung disease, sleep disorders, and advanced lung cancer.
• New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System: As a Level-1 tertiary care facility, the NMVAHCS offers additional clinical training, including sleep medicine opportunities and advanced pulmonary diagnostics.

Each fellow usually rotates through a series of one-month blocks designed to enhance knowledge and hands-on experience.

Clinical Skills and Procedural Training

Fellows undergo substantial procedural training crucial for their future practice. Core competencies acquired include:

• Bronchoscopy, including special techniques such as transbronchial biopsies and endobronchial ultrasounds.
• Pleural procedures such as thoracostomy and pleurx catheter placements.
• Advanced airway management techniques, including direct and fiberoptic intubations.
• Right heart catheterizations and sophisticated ultrasound training, shaping fellows into skilled clinicians.

Research Opportunities

In addition to clinical training, fellows engage in research activities that aim to enhance their academic experience. The program offers a structured research curriculum encouraging fellows to work on mentored projects, leading to contributions in the form of manuscripts and presentations at national meetings.

Didactic Education

The fellowship emphasizes ongoing education through various didactic lectures at each training site, supplemented with teleconferencing options. Fellows participate in weekly conferences that foster collaboration and learning through case presentations, journal clubs, and morbidity and mortality reviews.

Unique Aspects of the Program

Among its unique features, the program emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration, boasting a faculty representative of diverse backgrounds across various medical fields. This diversity enriches fellows' learning experiences and exposes them to an extensive range of clinical scenarios. The emphasis on procedural training and cutting-edge research remains a cornerstone of the fellowship, solidifying its reputation in the medical community.

Competitiveness and Selection Criteria

The fellowship is competitive, with a focus on selecting candidates demonstrating a strong performance in clinical rotations, teamwork, standardized exams, and scholarly activities. Applicants with an excellent academic record will generally receive higher consideration.

Visa Support

The program actively supports fellows holding J-1 visas, offering a structured and welcoming pathway into their training. However, it is essential to note that fellows on H-1B visas cannot be accommodated.