Advanced Lung Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Lung Transplant Fellowship

The 12-month Advanced Lung Disease Fellowship program provides dedicated time for pulmonary vascular disease rotations and lung transplantation rotations.

Pulmonary Vascular Disease Rotations

Through six months of pulmonary vascular disease rotations the fellow will acquire skills in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary vascular disease. During this time, the fellow will directly care for and manage patients in the outpatient PVD clinic, inpatient PH consult service, outpatient and inpatient CLOT/CTEPH service. The fellow will master skills specific to pulmonary hypertension including right heart catheterization, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and cardiac and pulmonary imaging.

Lung Transplant Rotations

Through six months of lung transplantation medicine rotations the fellow will participate in the evaluation of pre-transplant patients with advanced lung disease, directly care for and manage patients on the inpatient lung transplant primary and consultation services, and participate in weekly multidisciplinary listing meetings. The fellow will also actively participate in the outpatient lung transplant clinic managing following transplant. The fellow will gain competency in the management of pre- and post-transplant patients particularly pertaining to listing and referral criteria for lung transplant, immunosuppression regimens, serial spirometry interpretation, and surveillance transbronchial biopsy procedures. In addition, there will be opportunities for participation in lung donor management including procurement and implantation procedures.

Competencies

Specific clinical rotations and activities include:

Pulmonary Vascular:

• Rotations in outpatient PH clinic, outpatient CTEPH/CLOT clinic, HF clinic, Rheumatology Clinic
• Rotations on inpatient PH consult service – including rounding on PH consults, CTEPH pts pre and post PTE, PERT consults
• Training in imaging: echocardiography, nuclear medicine imaging, cardiac MRI

Didactic Training competencies per rotation:

• Pulmonary Vascular: weekly meetings, clinical conferences, one-on-one instruction
• Lung Transplantation Medicine: clinical conferences, one-on-one instruction, and multiple didactic and clinical meetings throughout each month

Milestones

• Clinical Rotations: Completion of structured clinical rotations in pulmonary vascular disease clinics, and lung transplant clinics, gaining proficiency in patient assessment, diagnosis, and management.
• Research Project Initiation: Initiation of a research project with a focus on pulmonary vascular disease and lung transplantation, including literature review, study design, and protocol development.
• Abstract Submission: Submission of an abstract to a national or international conference, such as the ISHLT annual meeting, presenting research findings or clinical observations related to pulmonary vascular disease and lung transplantation.
• Multidisciplinary Conferences: Regular participation in multidisciplinary conferences (CTEPH, PVD, Lung Transplant) and case conferences, fostering collaboration with other specialties involved in the care of pulmonary vascular disease and lung transplant patients.
• Surgical Observation: Observational experience in pulmonary endarterectomy and lung transplant surgeries, gaining insight into surgical techniques, perioperative management, and post operative and post-transplant care.
• Transplant Evaluation: Participation in lung transplant candidate evaluations, including assessment of candidacy criteria, pre-transplant workup, and selection committee discussions.
• Education and Teaching: Opportunities for involvement in medical student and resident education, including didactic lectures, and case discussions.

As part of the fellowship program, the fellow is expected to participate in on-going cutting edge research endeavors aimed at advancing the understanding and management of pulmonary vascular disease and lung transplantation. A specific research expectation of the fellow entails the submission of an abstract to the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) annual meeting, focusing on a topic that overlaps both fields. This requirement underscores the importance of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing the complex interplay between pulmonary vascular disease and transplant medicine. Moreover, this research expectation aligns with the program’s overarching goal of cultivating future leaders equipped to tackle the evolving challenges in pulmonary vascular and transplant medicine with innovation and expertise.

Applicants must have:

• An MD or DO degree
• Completion of an internal medicine residency and pulmonary and critical care fellowship is preferred
• CV
• Personal statement
• 3 letters of recommendation

Eligibility

This fellowship is available to individuals who have successfully completed an ACGME-approved Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine program or equivalent and are eligible for medical licensure in the State of Illinois. Applicants must be board certified or eligible for certification in pulmonary and critical care medicine.

If you are a visa holder, please contact Rita Guzman prior to submitting an application.

How to Apply

To apply, please send CV, certification of completion of residency and three letters of recommendation to Rita Guzman at rita.guzman@nm.org. Personal interviews are by invitation only and are required for acceptance to our program. Invitations to interviews will be notified via email.

This program is integrated in two groups at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Downtown Chicago Lung Transplant Team, and the Pulmonary Hypertension Program.