Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship


Untitled

Mission Statement

Our program is dedicated to fostering the next generation of innovative leaders in pediatric pulmonary medicine. Serving a diverse population from a seven-state region, we are committed to providing fellows with unparalleled clinical exposure to a broad spectrum of pediatric pulmonary conditions. Through tailored mentorship, robust educational resources, training in research and a collaborative environment, we aim to foster the growth of compassionate, skilled and forward-thinking clinicians who will lead the advancement of our field through research, education and patient-centered care.

Program Aims

Aim 1: Provide outstanding clinical and procedural training experience on pulmonary inpatient, outpatient and consult services at Children's Hospital Colorado and related training sites to deliver the highest quality, patient-centered, safe and comprehensive care for pediatric patients and families.

Aim 2: Provide exceptional opportunities for fellows in clinical, translational, basic, outcomes, quality improvement or educational research to prepare for successful academic careers.

Aim 3: Establish a career development plan, including training and connection to leadership and advocacy opportunities, to guide fellows in establishing and reaching individual professional goals and objectives.

Aim 4: Equip trainees with strategies to maintain wellness, build resilience and promote population health and engagement.

Trained over 68 Pediatric Pulmonologists

Including 11 Cystic Fibrosis Center Directors, 12 Academic Program Directors, 11 Division Chiefs/Section Heads, and 2 Deans

10+ Programs and Subspecialties

Aerodigestive program, cystic fibrosis, community outreach, diffuse lung disease, fontan clinic, pulmonary hypertension & vascular disease, neuromuscular clinic, sleep program, ventilator care program

Research

Unparalleled resources in choice of research mentors, potential projects, and patient populations

Learn more about us!

 

 

Meet Oren Kupfer, MD

 

Meet Monica Federico, MD

Meet Andrew Liu, MD

Meet Scott Sagel, MD, PhD

Meet Heather Hoch De Keyser, MD, MSCS

Meet Stephen Hawkins, MD

Meet Christopher Baker, MD

Meet Jordana Hoppe, MD, MSCS

Meet Robin Deterding, MD

 

 

 

 

 

Fellows

Peds Pulm Fellows 3

Peds Pulm Fellows 2

1st Year

Jorge

Jorge Valencia Rico, MD

Medical School: Universidad Ponticia Boliariana de Medicina 

Residency: Eastern Virgina Medical School

 

 

 

 

 

Patel

Juhee Patel, DO

Medical School: Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency: Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital

 

 


Alizay

Alizay Paracha, MD

Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Residency: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

 

2nd Year

Metcalf

Angela Metcalf, MD

Medical School: University of Oklahoma School of Medicine

Residency: University of Colorado

 

 

 

 

 

molly 50

Molly McCoy, MD

Medical School: Louisiana State University 

Residency: Oregon Health & Science University

 

3rd Year 

 

Cristina Giles

Cristina Giles, MD

Medical School: Louisiana State University School of Medicine

Residency: University of Louisville

 

 

 

melzer_lilah03 (1)

Lilah Melzer, DO

Medical School: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency: Children's Mercy Hospital

 

 

 

 

 

Deboer Hawkins

Education is a cornerstone of our department. Our conferences are led by faculty and multi-disciplinary leaders.

 

Course Work

 

Clinical Scientist Master’s Program

The MSCS degree program is graduate level course work for individuals who will pursue clinical research such as translational clinical research, clinical trials, or outcomes research. This program is a unique opportunity to provide a comprehensive exposure to training required for a successful career in clinical research. Funding for this program is provided through grant support or directly by the Department of Pediatrics.


 

Subspecialty Excellence in Educational Leadership & Scholarship (SEELS) Program

 

The goal of SEELS is to equip pediatric subspecialty fellows with the necessary knowledge/skills/attitudes for success as future medical educators through educational scholarship and professional identity development, faculty and peer mentorship, and engaging in an educational community of practice.  

 

SEELS scholars will complete this 18-month program that will begin during the second year of fellowship for three-year fellowship programs. The curriculum will include in-person educational sessions for the first 12 months, along with self-directed independent study, a scholarly project, and mentorship throughout the entire 18 months. Educational content will be delivered through approximately once per month sessions including work-in-progress sessions as well as individual meetings with SEELS Program leaders and mentors.

 

SEELS Program

 

Conferences

Our program provides regular environments for learning the latest in pulmonary science, innovation, and technology. Some of these meetings include:

 

 

Pediatric Pulmonary Grand Rounds (weekly)

This conference is built to teach on core topics of pulmonology, as well as the more rare cases that we see at our hospital. This conference includes case presentations, fellow "research in progress" updates, morbidity and mortality conferences, and lecture topics designed to complement your clinical experience.

 Western States(monthly)

This regional conference is hosted by University of Arizona via Zoom. It provides a unique opportunity to learn about unusual cases from other centers as well as different centers’ approaches to diagnosis and management. Colorado has a strong presence here with at least one of our fellows presenting annually.

 

Academic Half Day (monthly)

 

Protected educational session with fellows and core education faculty for review of pulmonary physiology, pathophysiology, Board review, and Journal club.

Pulmonary/Radiology/Pathology Conference (monthly)

 

This multidisciplinary conference focuses on discussion of complex patient cases that required a lung biopsy, imaging, or that resulted in an autopsy. The conference involves a chalk talk review of the patient case and appropriate literature.

Research Council (monthly)  

This conference focuses on fellow training in research, and how to help fellows progress towards the successful completion of their research project. Senior fellows present once a year with pearls/lessons learned about their current research.

Department of Pediatrics Fellowship Retreats

These seminars are training sessions provided for all fellows once or twice a year. They focus on topics like resiliency, personal finance, leadership training, employment contracts, grant writing, bioethics, and much more.

National Conferences

 

All fellows will be supported to attend either the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) or the American Thoracic Society Conference (ATS) each year, as long as they have submitted an abstract or poster. Additional conferences may be arranged at the discretion of the faculty research mentor and the fellowship director.

Our fellowship curriculum is designed to customize the learning experience to each fellow’s interests and career goals. For fellows who are interested in furthering their education through coursework, some pulmonary-specific resources are listed below. There are numerous resources also available through the University of Colorado.

kate con

 

 


 

Cotton Conference

 

Cotton 1978 

Cotton Conference 2024 Program


The Breathing Institute hosts a yearly mountain retreat and conference called the “Cotton Conference.” Aptly named after the founder of our fellowship and a pioneer in the field of pulmonary medicine, our 2024 Conference marks the 34th anniversary of this historic tradition. This event serves as an opportunity to refine fellow presentation skills, learn from national pulmonary leaders, and engage with fellows past and present. We take great pride in hosting a nationally recognized conference that offers a yearly opportunity for research presentation and rejuvenation. All fellows in our program present along with our faculty members, researchers, and a nationally recognized guest speaker. Former fellows, along with clinicians and researchers working in all corners of pulmonary medicine from around the United States, regularly join our group for a weekend in the mountains.

 

 

 

 

SnowShoe

 

Fan Group Ski

 

cotton 3

 

008-2 USE

 

 

PAST SPEAKERS

2025

Erick Forno, MD

Indiana University

2024

Paul Moore, MD

Vanderbilt University

2023

Terri Laguna, MD

Seattle Children's Hospital

 

2022

Carol Rosen, MD

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

 

2021

John P. Clancy, MD

Vice President of Clinical Research, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

 

2020

Theresa Guilbert, MD, MS

Cincinnati Children's Hospital

 


 

As one of the biggest Pediatric Pulmonary Sections in the country, we can offer the best clinical & research opportunities. Learn more about the diverse areas of practice we have. 

aerodigestive
Aerodigestive Clinic
One of the most complete aerodigestive multidisciplinary programs in the U.S. Find out more here!
Asthma
Asthma Clinic
Offering the latest in diagnostic testing and treats more children with asthma than any other hospital in Colorado. Find out more here!
Fontan
Fontan Clinic
The only program in a seven-state region dedicated to complex cardiac care. Find out more here!
cycstic
Cystic Fibrosis Research & Care Center

The largest CF clinical care center in the U.S. Find out more here!
chiLD
chILD Program
One of the leading referral centers in the world for children with rare lung conditions. Find out more here!
Nueuromuscular
Neuromuscular Clinic
Patient-based care & support with individualized patient treatment plans. Find out more here!
Pulm
Pulmonary Hypertension Program
First multidisciplinary program for children in the U.S. One of only three programs accredited by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. Find out more here!
sleep
Sleep Center
Multidisciplinary team performing over 4,000 sleep studies a year with a complementary inpatient sleep consult service. Find out more here!
Ventilator
Ventilator Care Program
Multicenter collaboration with referrals/consults from 11+ states providing complex care consisting of three overlapping clinical units. Find out more here!

 

Rotation Schedule:

 

​FIRST YEAR

​TIME PERIOD

​Orientation in Pulmonary

6 weeks

Pulmonary Consult Service

10 weeks

Pulmonary Hospitalist Consult Service

5 Weeks

Pulmonary NICU Consult Service

5 Weeks

Subspecialty Outpatient Clinics 

11 weeks

Research

11 weeks

Vacation & Conferences

4 weeks

 

 

SECOND/ THIRD YEAR

TIME PERIOD

Pulmonary Consult Service

​4-6 weeks

Pulmonary Hospitalist Consult Service

2 weeks

​Pulmonary NICU Service

2 weeks

Research

40 weeks

Vacation & Conferences

4 weeks


 

 

Research Main 1

Research is a core pillar of the Pediatric Pulmonary Department. You are joining renowned pulmonary faculty who are leaders in their respective fields and have a passion for education

 

 

 

Innovation

We have been busy changing the world of medicine. Here are just a few examples of what we've been up to.

  • Colorado was the first state in the country to perform newborn screening for CF.
  • Our Aerodigestive clinic is one of the most complete multidisciplinary programs of its  kind, treating complex airway, respiratory, and gastrointestinal tract disorders.
  • The Interstitial Lung Disease (chILD) Program is world renowned for treating a rare lung disease. Dr. Deterding created two organizations to advance this work: The nonprofit chILD foundation and the chILD Research Network.
  • Founded by Dr. Deterding, The Center for Innovation is transforming pediatric medicine. Find out more about our center here.
  • Formation of a new company called Triple Endoscopy focused on endoscopy innovation that is being taught to over a dozen hospitals that have traveled to Colorado to learn about this new technique.
  • Participation in pivotal CFTR modulator trials in cystic fibrosis.
  • Recognized therapeutic benefit of inhaled nitric oxide use in pulmonary hypertension and severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
  • Leader in groundbreaking laboratory science in inhalation injury due to chemical warfare agents and vaping.
  • Member of the Genetic Disorders of Mucociliary Clearance Consortium leading pivotal research in diseases such as primary ciliary dyskinesia. 

 

Fellow Research Resources

You will be successful. And here is how.

 

  • 26 months set aside for research throughout the fellowship (3 months in year 1, 10 months in year 2, and 10 months in year 3)
  • Over 55 faculty research projects currently being performed in the areas of basic, clinical and translational science, quality improvement, medical education, and more!
  • Three dedicated biostatistician and research coordinator support- Dr. John Brinton, Dr. Brandie Wagener,  and Maxie Meier, MS
  • Scholarly Oversight Committee-dedicated group of faculty  members from both outside and within the department who meet regularly to support fellow progress
  • Portfolio of research resources built exclusively for fellow use including: Fellowship Research Timeline, Roadmap for Research Career Development, Manuscript Development Template and Resources, Scholarly Oversight Committee Presentation Template, and much more!
  • Dedicated faculty research mentors for each fellow
  • Fellowship Director of Research, Dr. Edith Zemancik, who supports fellow research through meeting regularly with fellows, supports department research operations, and advocates for fellow research with department leadership 

Recently Published Fellow Research:

 

  • Angela Metcalf, MD - University of Colorado  

“Outcomes of prenatal use of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor in carrier mothers to treat meconium ileus in fetuses with cystic fibrosis.”

PMID: 39645477

  • Annemarie Wolfe, MD – University of Texas at Austin

“Case report: Cystic fibrosis with kwashiorkor: A rare presentation in the era of universal newborn screening.”

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36683818/

 

  • Daniel Hinds, MD – University of Iowa

“Acute vaping in a golden Syrian hamster causes inflammatory response transcriptomic changes. “

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36041220/

 

  • Mfonobong Udoko, MD – University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children's Hospital 

“Social Determinants of Health in Asthma Through the Life Course”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35033702/

 

  • Monica Vielkind, MD, MS, MSCS- University of Rochester, Galisano Children’s Hospital

“Airwave oscillometry to measure lung function in children with Down syndrome”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34326475/

 

  • Erin Khan, MD- University of Missouri-Children's Mercy Kansas City

"When in Doubt, Change it out: A Case-Based Simulation for Pediatric Residents Caring for Hospitalized Tracheostomy-Dependent Children”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33473377/

 

Our program has a long and successful history of training pediatric pulmonologists that now practice in academic centers around the country and are nationally and internationally recognized.

We are committed to matching the highest quality candidates with our exceptional educational program. Join our family!

To be considered for admission to our program, applicants must have successfully completed training in an ACGME-accredited residency program in Pediatrics. 

Required Application Materials

All application materials should be submitted through the ERAS website. We participate in the NRMP Fall Match and typically do not offer any positions outside of the match.

Required application materials through ERAS include:

  1. Completed ERAS common application form
  2. Curriculum vitae
  3. USMLE (or COMLEX/ECFMG) transcript
  4. Personal statement addressing your interest in Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine
  5. 3 letters of recommendation (We do not require the standardized letter of recommendation)

 

ERAS Application Timeline

DateActivity
Monday, May 31, 2025ERAS 2024 season ends at 5 p.m. ET.
Wednesday, June 4, 2025ERAS 2025 season begins at 9 a.m. ET.
Thursday, June 5, 2025EFDO will release tokens to fellowship applicants.
Wednesday, July 2, 2025July cycle fellowship applicants may begin submitting applications to programs at 9 a.m. ET.
Wednesday July 16, 2025July cycle fellowship programs may begin reviewing applications at 9 a.m. ET.
May 31, 2026ERAS 2026 season ends at 5 p.m. ET.

NRMP Fall Match Timeline


DatesActivity
Wednesday, August 20, 2025Match Opens
Wednesday, October 1, 2025Ranking Opens
Wednesday, October 31, 2025Quota Change Deadline
Wednesday, November 19, 2025Rank Order List Certification Deadline
Wednesday, December 3, 2025MATCH DAY

 

Interview Day

The interview day can last anywhere between 8 am to 5 pm MST and will occur via video conference.

Salary and Benefits

The University of Colorado offers salary and benefits packages that are competitive with other fellowship programs across the country. Current salary levels can be found at the CU School of Medicine - Graduate Medical Education website.

 


JOed

Joseph DiPaolo, MS

Fellowship Program Coordinator

joseph.dipaolo@childrenscolorado.org

 

Screen Shot 2020-04-15 at 9.12.08 PM

Stacey Martiniano, MD, MSCS

Fellowship Program Director

stacey.martiniano@childrenscolorado.org

 

                                                                                                                                                     

 

 

 

CMS Login