University of South Florida Morsani Program

The Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at the University of South Florida's Morsani College of Medicine is a comprehensive, combined three-year program designed to equip fellows with the clinical knowledge and skills needed to excel in pulmonary and critical care medicine. This program is distinguished by its commitment to training top-notch specialists through a rich academic environment that prioritizes teaching, scholarship, and advanced medical care, all performed by leading experts in the field 1.

The program’s mission emphasizes the creation of a future generation of academic and private practice pulmonary critical care specialists. It aims to provide compassionate care to those who are medically complex and underserved, including veterans and cancer patients 1.

Training Sites

The fellowship provides extensive training across notable institutions:

• Tampa General Hospital: This facility is a 1,041-bed tertiary care center located in downtown Tampa. It offers a variety of subspecialized services, such as lung transplants and pulmonary hypertension management, among others 1.
• Moffitt Cancer Center: As the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Florida, Moffitt specializes in patient-centered cancer care and also offers interventional pulmonology services 1.
• James A. Haley Veterans Hospital: This veterans’ administration hospital allows fellows to engage in outpatient clinics, focusing on common pulmonary conditions in their first year and rotating through various subspecialty clinics in later years 1.

Clinical Rotations

The program includes a diverse curriculum featuring clinical rotations and outpatient experiences. Each fellowship year consists of 13 training blocks, with fellows receiving an annual leave allowance as per USF GME policies. Fellows engage in outpatient clinics regularly and participate in various elective rotations, enhancing their exposure to various pulmonary disease conditions and treatments 5.

Didactic Education

The fellowship encompasses several didactic programs to enrich fellows' educational experience, including:

• Board Review Sessions: Weekly sessions focus on essential information relevant to board examinations in Pulmonary and Critical Care.
• Multi-disciplinary Conferences: Regular meetings such as the ILD Multidisciplinary Conference, Tumor Board, and others foster collaborative learning among fellows and faculty 6.Journal Clubs: Critical analysis of literature pertaining to Pulmonary and Critical Care medicine is emphasized 6.

Research Opportunities

A strong emphasis on research within the fellowship reinforces the program's academic environment. Fellows are required to dedicate a minimum of six months to research projects, which encompass basic, translational, and clinical research initiatives alongside quality improvement projects. The research endeavors include several key areas such as molecular predictors of pulmonary diseases and clinical trials for pulmonary arterial hypertension 7.

Application Process & Requirements

The application process for the fellowship requires registration with the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and adherence to the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applicants must hold a medical degree from an LCME or AOA-accredited institution, possess ACLS/BLS certification, and hold ECFMG certification if applicable. Specific application requirements include the submission of a CV, medical school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement 3.

Visa Sponsorship

The program supports J-1 visa sponsorship for international medical graduates who are not U.S. citizens, thus making the program accessible to a broader spectrum of applicants, including international medical graduates (IMGs) and Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) candidates 3.

Competitiveness

The Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine fellowship is regarded as highly competitive. The program takes a holistic approach in evaluating applications, aiming to foster a diverse and talented cohort. This includes considering applicants with DO and IMG backgrounds, recognizing the value they bring to the training environment 3.

Program Faculty and Leadership

The faculty comprises distinguished medical professionals dedicated to education and mentorship. Led by program directors specializing in various aspects of pulmonary and critical care medicine, the program initiatives are supported by a robust administrative team dedicated to the fellows' success 4.