Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship Program

The Section of Pediatric Pulmonology in the Department of Pediatrics of the University of Chicago offers a three-year ACGME-accredited Fellowship Program.  Clinical services provided include fiberoptic bronchoscopy, chest radiographs, computed tomography with Angiography and 3-d reconstruction, ventilation-perfusion scans, sweat testing and genetic testing for diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, pulmonary function testing, infant pulmonary function testing, tests to assess lung function in children with exercise-induced symptoms, and sleep studies to detect breathing problems during sleep.

The objectives of the fellowship include:

• Acquiring a pathophysiologic understanding of the many diseases and treatments encountered while on service.  Diseases include asthma, cystic fibrosis, BPD and other newborn respiratory diseases, aspiration syndromes, respiratory tract anomalies, interstitial lung disease, lower respiratory tract infections, control of breathing disorders, and others.
• Demonstrating the ability to formulate appropriate care plans and determine priorities in medical care for children suffering from a variety of respiratory problems.
• Demonstrating the necessary skills and technical expertise for the performance of procedures such as flexible bronchoscopy, intubation, thoracentesis and chest tube insertion.
• Identifying the role of Pulmonary Function Tests in the diagnostic work up of children with a variety of respiratory disorders (i.e. indications) and recognizing the limitations of measuring PFTs in infants, young children, and uncooperative children.
• Recognizing the principles and limitations of Spirometry, Helium Dilution, Nitrogen Washout, Body Plethysmography, Respiratory Muscle Testing, Diffusion Capacity, Bronchodilator Testing, and Bronchoprovocation Testing (Exercise, Methacholine, Cold Air).
• Obtaining and recording a comprehensive sleep history (and an appropriate physical examination) and developing competency in analysis and interpretation of comprehensive polysomnography.
• Demonstrating the appropriate teaching skills for bedside and didactic education of residents and medical students.
• Acquiring the interpersonal skills necessary for effective communication with patients, their families, and co-workers.
• Employing a compassionate understanding of chronic illness and its impact on patients, families, and caregivers primarily through participation in multidisciplinary rounds.

The Fellows follow their own patients in the outpatient clinic.  During research blocks, Fellows will usually continue to follow and care for their own patients in the clinic (one half day per week).  The Fellows attend and participate in a weekly multidisciplinary Cystic Fibrosis Conference (includes monthly Combined Adult and Pediatric CF Conference) and a weekly Pulmonary Section Conference (includes journal club, case conference, combined pathology-pulmonary conference, on a rotating basis).  The Pediatric Pulmonary section collaborates closely with our Adult Pulmonary colleagues in a variety of forums including Interstitial Lung Disease conferences and Committee on Molecular Medicine conferences. The Department of Pediatrics conducts numerous other conferences including Pediatric Grand Rounds, Pediatric Chief of Service Rounds, Pediatric Morbidity and Mortality Conference and Morning Report.
 
To be eligible for the Fellowship Program, the candidate must have an MD degree, and the qualifications to obtain a license to practice medicine in the State of Illinois. The candidate must be a Resident in Pediatrics at the PL-2 level or higher at an ACGME accredited program or have completed this training. Upon completion of a Pediatric Residency Program, the candidate must become eligible to take board examinations in Pediatrics offered by the American Board of Pediatrics. For candidates that lack these specific qualifications, such as those applying from outside of the United States, applications may be considered on an individual basis.

For applications for 1st year fellowships or for general questions please contact:

Oren Lakser, M.D.
Director, Pediatric Flexible Bronchoscopy Services
Director, Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship Program
Section of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine
University of Chicago
5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 4064
Chicago, IL 60037-1470
773-702-6178
olakser@peds.bsd.uchicago.edu