Pediatric Pulmonary Center
It is the mission of the Colorado PPC to train graduate and post-graduate level candidates with high leadership potential in the state-of-the-art, family-centered, culturally-aware, interdisciplinary care of children and youth with respiratory diseases and sleep disorders, and to provide leadership training to enhance their career trajectories.
Overview
The Pediatric Pulmonary Centers (PPCs), supported by funding from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), serve as models of excellence in interdisciplinary training, systems integration, and research. They do so by
- Providing interdisciplinary leadership training at the graduate and post-graduate levels in pediatric pulmonary medicine, nursing, nutrition, social work, and at least one additional discipline;
- Engage with families as full partners to support family-centered practice, policies, and research;
- Increase access to health services through innovative methods, such as telehealth, collaborative systems of care (i.e. medical homes), and distance-learning modalities;
- Provide technical assistance, consultation, continuing education (CE), and subject matter expertise to facilitate academic-practice partnerships; and
- Supporting diverse and underrepresented trainees and faculty and increase the cultural competence and skills of trainees and faculty to address health disparities in underserved communities.
PPCs provide a critical link in assuring that the next generation of health care providers contribute to MCHB's mission to assure access to care for maternal and child health populations by developing interdisciplinary leaders who improve the health status of infants, children, and youth with chronic respiratory and sleep-related conditions.
For information on becoming a Colorado PPC Trainee, contact Mark Brown, MD or Emily Skeen, MD.
Vision Statement
All children with respiratory and sleep disorders in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and North and South Dakota will have access to high-functioning interdisciplinary teams who will provide holistic care. The Colorado PPC will become a pipeline program to maternal and child health (MCH) organizations throughout these states and will train the next generation of MCH leaders.
Pediatric Pulmonary Center Training Program
The Children’s Hospital Colorado Pediatric Pulmonary Center (PPC) prepares graduate and postgraduate students to become Maternal and Child Health (MCH) leaders in family-centered, culturally informed, evidence-based pulmonary care. Training is available for students and fellows in pulmonology, nursing, nutrition, psychology, and social work, as well as learners from any discipline through short- and medium-term opportunities.
Training Opportunities
- Long-Term Trainees/Fellows (>300 hours, ~10 months): Comprehensive curriculum with didactics, weekly multidisciplinary clinics, community health experiences, mentorship, case studies, and a capstone project.
- Medium-Term Trainees/Fellows (40–299 hours, any discipline): Blended learning with interdisciplinary clinics, case presentations, and pulmonary care modules.
- Short-Term Trainees/Fellows (<40 hours, any discipline): Participation in clinical settings, workshops, online modules, and conferences.
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled in or completing graduate or postgraduate training. Selection is based on clinical competence, leadership potential, career goals, and commitment to serving children and families with lung health needs. To be eligible to receive a stipend, applicants must be U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, or permanent residents.
How to Apply
Long-Term Trainees/Fellows
- Submit a letter of interest, CV/resume, and letter of recommendation.
- Participate in a faculty interview.
Medium-Term Trainees/Fellows
- Submit a CV/resume and a brief statement of interest (1–2 paragraphs).
Short-Term Trainees/Fellows
- Complete a registration form.
- No interview or recommendation letter is required.
- Participants may select from a list of available learning opportunities.
For questions or application details, please contact Mark Brown, MD or Emily Skeen, MD.
Faculty
 | Brown, Mark [email protected] Bio: Mark Brown, MD, is a pediatric pulmonologist and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is the Director of the Colorado Pediatric Pulmonary Center. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Texas at Austin and his medical school education at the McGovern School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. He was resident and chief resident at the University of Oklahoma/Children’s Memorial Hospital followed by a pulmonary fellowship at the University of Arizona. He has held faculty positions at the University of Virginia, University of Arizona and now at the University of Colorado. While at the University of Arizona he directed their PPC, 2000-2016. He enjoys hiking, backpacking and camping as well as music. |
 | Haemer, Matthew
[email protected] Bio: Matt Haemer, MD, MPH, is a Professor of Pediatrics in the Section of Nutrition at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. He completed medical school at Vanderbilt University, pediatric residency at the University of Washington, and fellowship in Pediatric Nutrition at the University of Colorado/Children’s Hospital Colorado. He is an educator, researcher, and clinician who practices medical nutrition and obesity medicine at Children’s Hospital Colorado. He is board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists. He directs the University of Colorado’s Clinical Fellowship in Pediatric Obesity and Nutrition. He is enthusiastic about the critical role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of disease. In his free time he enjoys hiking, biking, golfing, and attending his kids sports/activities. |
 | Wesley, Katherine [email protected] Bio: Katherine L. Wesley, PhD, DBSM, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and a Licensed Psychologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She is board certified in behavioral sleep medicine and specializes in behavioral management of sleep problems for children, adolescents, and families with a variety of sleep disorders including insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and adherence difficulties in obstructive sleep apnea. Outside of work you can find her enjoying nature, trail running, or traveling. |
 | Wickstrom, Molly [email protected] Bio: Molly Wickstrom, MSW, LCSW, MHA Manager, Clinical Social Work, is a seasoned clinical social work leader with over two decades of experience supporting children, families, and healthcare teams. She began her career in child welfare after earning her master’s in social work in 2002, specializing in Children and Families. Molly served as a caseworker and later a supervisor, dedicating 11 years to child welfare before transitioning to school social work. In 2016, Molly joined Children’s Hospital Colorado, where she has held roles in float coverage and Inpatient Rehab. Since 2019, she has served as Manager of the Clinical Social Work department, leading with a focus on strategic growth, team development, and compassionate care. In 2023, she earned a master’s in healthcare administration with an emphasis on Strategic Planning and Change Management, further strengthening her leadership in healthcare systems. Outside of work, Molly enjoys traveling and camping with her family. She is married with two college-aged children and shares her home with two English Springer Spaniels and a cat. With a background in art, she often has a creative project underway and finds joy in gardening and spending time outdoors. |
 | Moore, Heather [email protected] Bio: Heather Moore, RN, MSN, CPNP, is a Senior Instructor in Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Colorado and a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Heather received her undergraduate degree in Nursing through Viterbo University in Wisconsin and her master’s degree in nursing with the University of Minnesota. Heather also completed a Pediatric Pulmonary Center Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, gaining interdisciplinary leadership training in family-centered, community-based care. Heather specializes in complex pulmonary conditions, including cystic fibrosis, asthma, pediatric sleep disorders, chronic ventilation, and aerodigestive disorders. She leads quality improvement initiatives focused on equity and timeliness in newborn screening follow-up and has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications on pediatric respiratory care and caregiver education. Outside of work, Heather enjoys skiing, jumping on the trampoline and playing pickleball with her kids, and Rollerblading around Wash Park. |
 | Skeen, Emily
[email protected] Bio: Emily Skeen, MD is a pediatric pulmonologist and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School Medicine. She is the Associate Program Director for the Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship Training Program and also serves as the Associate Medical Director for the Children’s Hospital Colorado Asthma Program. She completed her undergraduate degree in Anthropology at the University of Southern California then went on to get her medical degree from Vanderbilt University before coming to the University of Colorado for her pediatrics residency and pediatric pulmonary medicine fellowship. Her primary interests are in asthma, health disparities and medical education. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors – hiking, climbing and skiing in the beautiful Colorado Rockies. |
Staff
 | Schiltz, Allison
[email protected] Bio: Allison Schiltz is the Program Coordinator for the Colorado Pediatric Pulmonary Center, where she supports the administration, coordination, and day-to-day operations of the Center’s training and outreach activities. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, discovering new foods, and exploring local coffee shops. |
Adjunct Faculty
 | Wallace, James
[email protected] Bio: James Wallace, MD is a Professor in Pediatrics and the Division Chief of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine at the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota. He is a graduate of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and completed his pediatric residency at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine at Scott and White Clinic in Temple, Texas. He completed his Pediatric Pulmonary training at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo. While he has an avid interest in outdoor/wildlife photography, his primary hobby now is in being a grandfather. |
 | Uchida, Derek A. [email protected] Bio: Derek A. Uchida, MD received his undergraduate degree from the University of Hawaii and his medical degree from Stanford. He completed his pediatric residency and pediatric pulmonology fellowship at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Prior to his arrival at the University of Utah in 1995, he was on the faculty at University of Colorado/Denver Children’s Hospital and National Jewish Health in Denver, followed by an appointment as division chief of pediatric pulmonology at the University of South Alabama. Dr. Uchida is current position is Professor (Clinical) at the University of Utah School of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. He conducts clinics at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. He has a special interest in childhood asthma and is the Medical Director of the Pulmonary Function Laboratory. |
 | Lysinger, Jerimiah L. MD
[email protected] Bio: Dr Jeri Lysinger, a former UCD pediatric fellow and clinical faculty member at UCSOM, is the only full-time pediatric pulmonologist in Montana. He sees patients from all of Montana, the northern half of Wyoming, and far western North Dakota. Dr. Lysinger is the Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center of the Northern Rockies which encompasses the entire state of Montana, northern half of Wyoming and far western North Dakota. He has outreach clinics in Bozeman, Miles City, and Missoula. |
Lecture Schedule
| Session | Date | Location | Theme / Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 16, 2025 | Culebra Peak (9th Floor) | Welcome, MCHB intro, environment & lung health |
| 2 | Oct 21, 2025 | Mt. Wilson (22nd Floor) | Social determinants of health, disparities, rural health |
| 3 | Nov 18, 2025 | Culebra Peak (9th Floor) | Neuromuscular disease, palliative care, BPD |
| 4 | Dec 16, 2025 | Mt. Wilson (2nd Floor) | Asthma, PFT basics, telehealth & ethics |
| 5 | Jan 20, 2026 | Mt. Wilson (2nd Floor) | Unconscious bias, disparities, health literacy, cultural competency |
| 6 | Feb 17, 2026 | Mt. Wilson (2nd Floor) | Sleep disorders, Native American, Latino & refugee health |
| 7 | Mar 17, 2026 | Mt. Wilson (2nd Floor) | Cystic fibrosis, newborn screening ethics, research ethics |
| 8 | Apr 14, 2026 | Mt. Wilson (2nd Floor) | Policy & advocacy skills, legal frameworks, communication |
| 9 | May 19, 2026 | Culebra Peak (9th Floor) | CHIP & Medicaid, transition to adult care |
| 10 | Jun 16, 2026 | Mt. Wilson (2nd Floor) | Capstones, future challenges, group reflection |
Required Readings & Modules
Maternal & Child Health Foundations- MCH Timeline — Interactive | Text
- Dissemination and Implementation in Pediatric Pulmonary Care — JACI PDF
- Integration of Cultural and Linguistic Competency into Pediatric Care — ResearchGate PDF
- Family-Centered Care — Family Voices and AAP PDF
- How Culture Influences Health — Kids New to Canada and PMC Article
- Introduction to Complementary Medicine — NCI Resource
- Responsible Conduct of Research — CITI Modules
- Skills for Successful Mentoring — UDel PDF
Clinical Training Experiences
PPC trainees gain hands-on experience in a variety of multidisciplinary clinics across Children’s Hospital Colorado. These experiences emphasize family-centered, team-based care and expose learners to complex pulmonary conditions and co-occurring health needs.
- Aerodigestive Clinic – coordinated care for children with airway, digestive, and feeding challenges.
- Asthma Clinic (MAC) – comprehensive evaluation and management of pediatric asthma.
- Cystic Fibrosis Clinic – integrated care for children with CF.
- Neuromuscular Clinic – collaborative care for children with neuromuscular disorders.
- Tracheostomy & Ventilator Care – specialized support for children with chronic respiratory failure.
- Blossom Program (Neonatal Lung Disease) – NICU follow-up program including care for infants with respiratory problems.
- Down Syndrome Clinics (Sleep & Dysphagia) – subspecialty clinics addressing pulmonary, feeding, and sleep challenges.
- Bariatric– multidisciplinary care for children with obesity and related health conditions.
- Pulmonary Hypoplasia Clinic – comprehensive care for children with underdeveloped lungs.
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