UPMC Medical Education Program

The UPMC Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship Program is a three-year program dedicated to training the next generation of leaders in pediatric pulmonology. This program combines clinical training, research opportunities, and teaching responsibilities in order to foster well-rounded pediatric pulmonologists. The fellowship takes place at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, which is recognized as a leading tertiary pediatric facility serving a wide geographical area including western Pennsylvania, southeast Ohio, western Maryland, and West Virginia.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum of the fellowship is designed to evolve with the progression of the fellows throughout the three years. The first year is largely focused on clinical training, providing fellows with comprehensive exposure to various aspects of pediatric pulmonology including inpatient services, outpatient clinics, and specialized clinics such as the Difficult to Treat Asthma Clinic and the Antonio J. and Janet Palumbo Cystic Fibrosis Center. During the second and third years, fellows are afforded protected time to focus on their research projects, while still participating in clinical activities.

Clinical Rotations

The clinical training encompasses several key rotations that enhance fellows' skills and competencies

• Inpatient Pulmonary Service: Fellows manage patients hospitalized with pulmonary conditions.
• Inpatient Consult Service: Involving a multi-disciplinary team approach to provide consults for complex cases.
• Continuity Clinics: Fellows maintain their own patient panels, allowing for the development of long-term physician-patient relationships and continuity of care.
• Flexible Bronchoscopy: Ample hands-on experience in bronchoscopy is provided during the first year of fellowship.
• Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Pediatric Sleep Evaluation Center: Involves managing sleep-related disorders.

All these clinical roles are designed to give fellows confidence and competence in managing both common and complex pulmonary diseases in children.

Research Opportunities

Pediatric Pulmonology fellows are encouraged to engage in research projects parallel to their clinical training. The program places a strong emphasis on scholarly activity. In the first year, fellows explore various laboratories to find suitable mentors and research topics. The fellowship offers an NIH-funded T32 research training grant focused on preparing fellows for careers in clinical and translational research. This grant allows fellows to dedicate significant portions of their second and third years to research while also supporting the development of original research publications.5

Teaching Responsibilities

The fellowship also emphasizes the role of teaching as an integral part of professional development. Fellows have the opportunity to oversee house staff and medical students during clinical services. They are also involved in teaching conferences and are encouraged to present topics of interest in pulmonary medicine. Teaching experiences are further expanded through participation in the Pediatric Pulmonary/Sleep Case Conference hosted by the American Thoracic Society. This conference allows fellows to engage with peers from various academic institutions across the country, enhancing collaborative learning experiences.6

Unique Aspects of the Program

This fellowship program stands out due to its well-rounded approach to training. Candidates not only gain clinical and research expertise but also develop skills in educating the next generation of clinicians. Additionally, the program is notably friendly to candidates from diverse backgrounds including International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) graduates, and there is no requirement for U.S. citizenship for application. The fellowship supports various visa types to facilitate the training of eligible international candidates.3

Application Process

Eligible candidates can apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The application process requires detailed documentation including letters of recommendation, personal statements, and participation in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applicants should verify specific requirements and timelines throughout the application process to ensure completeness and competitiveness.4

Recent Graduates

The program has a strong track record with its graduates, many of whom have moved on to excel in academia, clinical practice, and research endeavors. A list of recent graduates and their accomplishments showcases the program's commitment to producing highly skilled pediatric pulmonologists.2