Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship

Photo credit: Children's Hospital Colorado

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 and 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 (4 months in year 1, 11 months in year 2, and 11 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 biostatisticians- 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. Stan Szefler, 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:

Matthew McGraw, MD- University of Rochester Medical Center, Golisano Children's Hospital

• Bronchiolitis Obliterans and Pulmonary Fibrosis after Sulfur Mustard Inhalation in Rats

Amanda Messinger, MD- University of Colorado, Children's Hospital Colorado 

• Novel Pediatric-Automated Respiratory Score Using Physiologic Data and Machine Learning in Asthma

Monica Vielkind, MD, MS, MSCS- University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children's Hospital 

• "Airway Obstruction and Inflammation on Combined Bronchoscopy in Children with Down Syndrome"

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

Senior Faculty Research Highlights:

Steven Abman, MD is a nationally recognized leader in pulmonary hypertension and founded the PPHNet and the BOD Collaborative. He holds the prestigious NIH T-32 Grant that helps fund the pulmonary fellowship. Two of his current grants involve physiological phenotyping of respiratory outcomes in premature infants, and the Colorado StARR program in Medicine and Pediatrics. Dr. Abman currently has 379 publications in PubMed.

Robin Deterding, MD is an internationally known specialist in rare and diffuse lung diseases in children who founded the chILD Research Network and the chILD Foundation and research. She held an ATS Foundation grant in 2012 and currently holds an ATS documents grant under which she is co-chairing the first set of medical guidelines for proper supplemental oxygen levels in children. Dr. Deterding is active in 4 grants and has worked with 51 additional grants. She currently has 101 publications in PubMed. 

Scott Sagel, MD, PhD has multiple research initiatives centered around the biomarkers of lung disease in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). His early research established that sputum is a rich, noninvasive source of biomarkers of inflammation and infection. Sputum is now routinely used in CF clinical trials. Dr. Sagel is currently studying the development of CFTR-targeted drugs, research which is expected to revolutionize the care of CF patients in a profound way. Dr. Sagel has had 9 grant funded research projects in the past three years, and currently has 94 publications in PubMed.

Stanley Szefler, MD is our research medical director, and fellowship research director, who has served as a PI and CO-I for 6 NIH Asthma networks, including the current NHLBI AsthmaNet and PrecISE Networks. His research has focused on inhaled corticosteroids and steroid resistance. Currently, his research is focused on personalized medicine for asthma management, and immunomodulators in asthma therapy. Dr. Szelfer has also brought in a strong focus on social determinants of health as well developing a school centered asthma program. Dr. Szefler has had 11 grant funded research projects, and has 1 additional grant funded project in progress. He currently has 448 publications in PubMed. 

The experiences we offer our fellows can be summed up in two words:

Customization-

Want to delve into the work of allergy and immunology? Aerodigestive Procedures? Sleep Medicine? Down Syndrome? Neuromuscular Disease? Cutting edge Cystic Fibrosis treatment? Healthcare innovation and machine learning? We've got it all!

Opportunity     

Life should extend beyond the workplace. Our faculty and fellows work together inside and outside of the workplace and consider each other as part of the same family. Riding in the Courage Classic to raise money for the hospital? Check. Volunteering at Roundup River Ranch to give sick kids a normal summer? Check. Participating in the CF Climb in our Mile High Football Stadium to raise money for our patients? Check. Sampling some of the 148+ microbreweries available in Denver? Very important. 

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. 

Rotation Schedule:

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

Conferences

   Pediatric Pulmonary Grand Rounds (weekly)

  Journal Club (monthly)

Pulmonary/Radiology/Pathology Conference (monthly)

  Western States(monthly)

  Research Council (monthly)  

  Cotton Conference  

  National Conferences

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.

Diversity Matters: The University of Colorado Denver - Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and all veterans. We are committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

Find out more at the Anschutz Medical Campus Office of Diversity & Inclusion.

The Section of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine believes that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are a core pillar of our section that is included as part of our strategic plan. 

Our current activities to advance this mission include:

Breathing Institute Equity Council

Vision: Creating a culture that centers equity and justice

Mission: Centering equity, inclusion, and diversity in all aspects of pediatric pulmonary care, research, education, and advocacy

Social Justice Book Club

• "How to Be an Anti-Racist," by Ibram X. Kendi
• "Black Man in a White Coat: A Doctor's Reflections on Race and Medicine," by Damon Tweedy

Dedicated Leaders in DE&I Within Pulmonary

• Dr. Robin Deterding is the executive sponsor for DE&I activities within pulmonary
• Breathing Institute Equity Council led by Arthur McFarlane and Kate Johnston
• Dr. Stan Szefler is co-PI of an NIH grant looking at asthma and disparities for children

Holistic Review Process for Fellowship Applicants

• USMLE Scores are removed from application
• Headshots are removed from application
• Volunteer activities and entire application are weighted along with academic qualities
• DE&I continuing education for entire department, and in particular faculty & fellows involved in the interview process

Pulmonary Representatives on Hospital Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Committees

• Several members of pulmonary sit on the Children's Hospital Colorado DE&I Committee 

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Resources on Campus

Community is important, not only within pulmonary, but within the hospital and the medical campus.

• Residency Diversity in Pediatrics Committee (DIPC)
• Dept of Pediatrics Diversity and Inclusion
• The MARC (Minority & Allied Resident Council): http://tiny.cc/MinorityResidency
• CU SOM Diversity and Inclusion
• CU SOM Diversity and Inclusion Helpful Links and Resources page
• CU AMC Office of Diversity and Inclusion 
• CU Anschutz Inclusivity Alliance
• CU Anschutz Women in STEM
• CU Anschutz Ombuds Office
• CU SOM White Coats for Black Lives Chapter: cusomwhitecoats4blacklives@gmail.com
• CU/CHCO ACCORDS (Adult and Child Consortium for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science)
• CHCO Diversity & Inclusion
• CHCO general contact for D&I questions, requests, training, etc.: ExperienceDifferent@childrenscolorado.org
• Kindred Mamas (part of CHCO Black Health Initiative, supporting African-American new mothers), 720-777-6123, kindredmamas@childrenscolorado.org
• Faculty collaboration: The Faculty Council Committee for Racial & Ethnic Equity 

Community in Aurora

• Pulmonary is proud to have created several novel community programs such as
  • AsthmaCOMP-Colorado Comprehensive School-Centered Asthma Program
  • Just Keep Breathing- asthma education for families
  • Political advocacy with the capitol including vaping mitigation and smoking cessation

Our patient population is diverse and reflects the diversity found in the city of Aurora: 16% of residents identify as Black or African American, 28% identify as Hispanic or Latino, 6% identify as Asian, and 5% identify as two or more races.

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

​All items, included letters of recommendation, are initially pulled from ERAS by fellowship leadership on the first day ERAS opens: June 8th

ERAS Application Timeline

 NRMP Fall Match Timeline

Interview Day

The interview day can last anywhere between 8 am to 5 pm MST and will occur onsite at Children's Hospital Colorado 

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.