2023/2024 Fellows

Christine Farrell, MD

Medical School

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania 

Residency

Johns Hopkins University 

Academic/Research Interest

Basic Science Pulmonary Vascular Biology

Why Colorado?

Strength in both clinical and research training while also being surrounded by people who love to be active and get outside.

Jacob Fox, MD, MPH

Medical School:

University of Colorado

Residency: 

Massachusetts General Hospital

Academic/Research Interest:

My research interests are at the nexus of climate change and respiratory disease, specifically how we can advise patients to mitigate their individual risk of respiratory disease progression and exacerbation during periods of unsafe ambient ozone and particulate matter pollution.

Why Colorado?

I was lucky to grow up in southern Colorado, so this beautiful state is home to my family and me. I was drawn to this fellowship program for its rigorous clinical training, track record of excellent mentorship, faculty with expertise in my academic interests, and composition of wonderful people.

Tanya Marvi, MD

Medical School:

Vanderbilt University

Residency: 

Vanderbilt University

Academic/Research Interest:

Pragmatic clinical trials in the ICU, the intersection of coagulation and critical care

Why Colorado?

The opportunity to be in a supportive environment with kind people, strong clinical and procedural training, and a robust research infrastructure.

Andrea Davis Puente, MD

Medical School:

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Residency: 

Vanderbilt University

Academic/Research Interest:

Lung cancer and women's health

Why Colorado?

I was immediately drawn to the down to earth people yet academic rigor of the institution. I was also excited by a structured research experience in fellowship. Not to mention, Colorado is a beautiful place to live with so much to do!

Christiaan Rees, MD, PhD

Hometown

Medical School

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Residency

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Academic/Research Interest

Delivery of critical care resources in underserved and under-resourced practice settings. Application of machine learning/artificial intelligence in the intensive care unit. 

Why Colorado?

Incredible When I was interviewing for fellowship, the University of Colorado stood out for its commitment to clinical and procedural excellence combined with its wide breadth of research opportunities in all areas related to pulmonary and critical care medicine. The though of living against the backdrop of the Front Range of the Rockies didn't hurt either. 

Cody Schott, MD, PhD

Medical School

University of Illinois

Residency

University of Colorado

Academic/Research Interest

My research interested in understanding the immunologic phenomenon driving damage and repair mechanisms underlying pulmonary fibrosis, both in acute lung injury and interstitial lung disease. Clinically, I am interested in ICU Medicine, with a particular focus on outcomes associated with acute lung injury. 

Why Colorado?

Incredible clinical training, top notch research training, and an enthusiastic and collegial division that is tough to beat. That and the front range is just a hop, skip, and a jump away! 

James Wykowski, MD 

Medical School:

University of Washington

Residency: 

University of Washington

Academic/Research Interest:

Medical Education, Serious Illness Communication, Curriculum Design, Trainee Experience in the ICU

Why Colorado?

Opportunities to pursue unique medical education scholarship, amazing clinical training, and support for fellows with kids!

Isadore Budnick, MD

Hometown
Pittsburgh, PA

Medical School
Tulane University

Residency
University of Virginia

Academic/Research Interest

ARDS, sepsis, critical care outcomes

Why Colorado?
Incredible clinical training, top notch research training, and an enthusiastic and collegial division that is tough to beat. That and the front range is just a hop, skip, and a jump away! 

Marco Colamonici, MD

Medical School
Memphis, TN 

Medical School
University of Illinois Chicago

Residency
University of Illinois Chicago

Academic/Research Interest
Molecular mechanism in ARDS

Why Colorado?
I originally applied to Colorado for the great opportunities offered in both clinical training and research. But if I am being honest, I chose Colorado because on interview day, although via zoom, the program had great family vibes. Everyone seemed to enjoy nerding out about their work but there was an emphasis on maintaining a work life balance. In addition, Denver has all the amenities of a big city but it’s also a stone’s throw away from isolated wilderness.  

Sam King, MD

Hometown
Leawood, KS

Medical School
University of Kansas

Residency
University of Colorado

Why Colorado?

In residency I spent a while trying to decide if I loved pulmonary and critical care, or if I just loved the people in the division. It turns out the answer was “both!” This program provides both outstanding clinical training and strong academic support.

Amy Mathew, MD

Hometown

Medical School

Medical College of Wisconsin

Residency

Brown University

Why Colorado?

Karina Mora Massad, MD

Joey Pryor, MD

Hometown
Portland, OR

Medical School
Oregon Health and Science University

Residency
University of Washington

Why Colorado?
A great mix of clinical and research experiences combined with easy access to the beautiful outdoors Denver and Colorado have to offer.

Megan Watson, MD, MPH

Hometown
Overland Park, KS

Medical School
University of Kansas

Residency
University of Michigan

Why Colorado?

I was so impressed by the diverse clinical opportunities and infrastructure to promote successful research during fellowship. The mountains didn't hurt, either! 

Gwen Day, MD

Hometown
Laguna Niguel, California

Medical School
Wake Forest School of Medicine

Residency
University of California Los Angeles

Academic/Research Interest
Healthcare disparities/health inequity in pulm critical care disease. Obstructive lung disease

Why Colorado?
Ample opportunities, beautiful setting, and positive vibe.

Peter Dunbar, MD

Hometown
Oxford, Mississippi

Medical School
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Residency
Brigham and Women's Hospital/Boston Children's

Academic/Research Interest
Chronic critical illness, chronic respiratory illness

Why Colorado?
Amazing people, amazing science, amazing medicine, amazing outdoors.

Danny Gergen, MD

Hometown
Austin, Texas

Medical School
Georgetown University School of Medicine

Residency
University of Colorado

Academic/Research Interest
Medical education and teaching in the ICU

Why Colorado?
I loved doing residency at Colorado and couldn’t think of a better place to continue training.

Marika Orlov, MD, PhD

Hometown
Los Angeles/San Diego/Seattle

Medical School
University of California San Diego

Residency
University of Washington 

Academic/Research Interest
Innate and adaptive immune response in the lungs in the setting of infection

Why Colorado?
The wealth of immunity research at National Jewish

Sarah Rhoads, MD

Hometown
Bethesda, Maryland

Medical School
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Residency
Brown University 

Academic/Research Interest
Adolescent chronic lung disease, post-ICU care, and end of life care 

Why Colorado?
Friendly people, great location, infinite opportunities

Michael Root, MD, MBA

Hometown
St. Louis, Missouri

Medical School
New York University Grossman School of Medicine

Residency
University of California San Francisco

Academic/Research Interest
Quality improvement, patient safety, and medical education

Why Colorado?
Clinical training

Lisa Ruvuna, MD

Hometown
San Antonio, Texas

Medical School
Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine

Residency
University of New Mexico

Academic/Research Interest
COPD, social determinants of health

Why Colorado?
Even through virtual interviews, it really seemed the fellows were well-supported by faculty and happy. The city had anything I wanted to do in my free time.

Daniel Colon Hidalgo, MD

Hometown
Santiago, Dominican Republic

Medical School
Northwestern University

Residency
Loyola University

Academic/Research Interest
Pulmonary Hypertension

Why Colorado?
Why not Colorado? Colorado has the perfect balance of a very robust clinical training and top-notch research exposure that I wanted. This is an amazing training institution in a beautiful city with really cool people!!

Allison Lange, MD

Hometown
Winchester, Massachusetts

Medical School
Duke University

Residency
University of Texas Southwestern

Academic/Research Interest
Undecided, but leaning toward palliative care and end stage lung disease

Why Colorado?
My husband and I were looking for a more outdoorsy place where we could partake in  our favorite hobbies of hiking and camping without a plane flight. Also I loved the feel of Colorado’s pulmonary division – approachable people doing amazing research and clinical work. Chest X-ray conference sealed the deal on interview day.