Washington University/B-JH/SLCH Consortium Program

The Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at Washington University/B-JH/SLCH Consortium offers comprehensive training designed for trainees eager to delve deep into the realms of pulmonary medicine and critical care. This program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, enriched by a diverse array of clinical experiences, research training, and educational opportunities.

Program Structure

Duration and Focus

The fellowship generally spans three years. However, it could extend for those pursuing a research-focused career, particularly via the T32 training grant. Within this timeframe, fellows engage in a robust clinical training regimen encompassing a range of pulmonary and critical care specialties.

Rotations

The clinical training for fellows is characterized by an extensive rotation schedule, ensuring exposure to numerous critical care settings. Key rotations include:

• Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
• Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)
• Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
• Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU)
• Neurologic and Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (NNICU)
• Stem Cell Transplant/Oncology ICU (SCT/Oncology ICU)

Each of these blocks is conducted in 4-week segments, allowing fellows to deepen their understanding and hands-on experience in managing critically ill patients.

Research and Scholarly Activity

Research Opportunities

The program prioritizes research training, designed to equip fellows with the necessary skills to conduct meaningful research in pulmonary and critical care medicine. This includes:

• Didactic sessions focusing on developing research questions, study design, and data analysis.
• A mentorship structure with primary research mentors aiding fellows in navigating their research careers.
• The opportunity to participate in the NIH-funded T32 training program which offers protected research time and funding for advanced training.

Here, fellows can align their interests in clinical, translational, or basic science research with active faculty projects, fostering diverse scholarly endeavors.

Conferences and Lectureships

Under the auspices of the program, fellows benefit from a rich variety of educational conferences, including:

• Weekly lung lunch meetings
• Grand Rounds and interdisciplinary discussions
• Morbidity and Mortality conferences
• Journal clubs focusing on critical papers in pulmonary medicine

Furthermore, the I. Jerome Flance Visiting Lectureship fosters interaction with leading experts in the field, enhancing learning and professional networking opportunities.

Competitiveness and Selection Criteria

Application Requirements

The fellowship program is highly competitive, particularly for positions in the critical care pathway, which emphasizes the selection of individuals dedicated to advancing their expertise in this demanding field.

Mandatory application documents include the following:

• A current Curriculum Vitae
• References comprising a letter of support from the residency program director and at least three additional letters of recommendation
• Personal statement outlining career aspirations and interest in the fellowship
• USMLE scores
• Recent Photograph

Eligibility requires completion of an ACGME-accredited internal medicine residency, with further stipulations for those applying to the critical care programs.

Visa Support

The program supports international applicants through the provision of visa sponsorship, primarily for J-1 and H-1B visa types. This support is critical for eligible international medical graduates seeking to gain invaluable training experience in this esteemed fellowship.

Unique Aspects of the Program

Two standout features of the fellowship are:

• The extensive collaboration with the Veterans Affairs hospital, allowing additional exposure to inpatient scenarios, especially in pulmonary consults.
• The breadth of training across diverse clinical settings, ensuring fellows gain comprehensive skills applicable to various medical challenges faced in practice.

Overall, this fellowship prepares candidates to excel as future leaders in the fields of pulmonary disease and critical care medicine.