Transplant Pulmonology Fellowship Program

About Us

The University of Colorado Transplant Pulmonology Fellowship Program is a one year advanced training program for pulmonologists interested in gaining additional expertise in the area off lung transplant.

Transplant pulmonology is a growing and highly specialized field that cares for a diverse array of patients before, during, and after their life-saving surgeries. As the region’s only lung transplant program, our team’s priority is to deliver high quality care to our community, which extends across several states.

Our transplant pulmonologists work together with thoracic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, pharmacists, social workers, dieticians, and nurses in a multidisciplinary environment to serve our patients.

What Can A Trainee Expect?

Trainees in the one-year lung transplant fellowship will work with core faculty to cultivate the clinical expertise needed to care for lung transplant patients, including:

● Evaluation and management of pre-transplant candidates in both inpatient and outpatient settings

● Participation in weekly multidisciplinary selection committees

● Lung donor evaluation and selection

● Observation in organ procurements and lung transplant surgeries

● Peri-operative care of the lung transplant recipient, including exposure in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit and ECMO management

● Procedural services including diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy and pleural procedures

● Management of postoperative lung transplant recipients, including immunosuppression and infectious issues

● Treatment of lung allograft dysfunction, including acute cellular rejection, antibody mediated rejection, and chronic lung allograft dysfunction

In addition to clinical exposure, one-on-one didactic sessions with core faculty will provide high yield learning opportunities for the trainees.

Additional opportunities include:

● Participating in a Transplant Center based multidisciplinary curriculum

● Augmenting experiences with research exposure

● Attendance at national and international conferences

● Teaching opportunities with pulmonary and critical care fellows

● Teaching opportunities with internal medicine residents

● Clinical exposure to advanced lung disease through collaboration with National Jewish Health

● A wealth of educational opportunities provided by the UC SOM Pulmonary and Critical Care Division.

At the end of the trainee’s year, they will have the skills and experience needed for practice and meet the requirements to function as a UNOS Primary Lung Transplant Physician.

Interested in Applying?

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to

kelly.rico@cuanschutz.edu

Applications will be accepted and interviews will be offered on a rolling basis.

A qualified applicant will have:

An MD or DO degree

Completed Pulmonary and Critical Care Training at an ACGME accredited program

Be board certified or board eligible in pulmonary and critical care

At this time we are unable to sponsor visas.

For inquiries or to apply, please contact:

Kelly Rico

Fellowship and Education Coordinator

Kelly.rico@cuanschutz.edu

Joshua Smith, MD

Program Director

joshua.b.smith@cuanschutz.edu

Our commitment for trainees is to ensure that they have a high-yield and diverse experience that balances service and education. Fellows can anticipate spending their year to be split evenly between inpatient and outpatient training, with additional procedural training, educational sessions, customized clinical experiences, and time for research and academic pursuits. While on inpatient service, fellows will be expected to round on four (4) weekend days. Donor call is taken by the transplant pulmonologists and trainees can anticipate taking donor call with their attending for one week of each of their inpatient months. During their year, fellows will be expected to observe at least three (3) organ procurements and transplants, which may occur overnight or on weekends, and will be coordinated between the attending and fellow.

Sample Outpatient Schedule

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
AM	Selection Committee, Pre-Transplant Clinic	Pre-Transplant Clinic	Pre-Transplant Clinic	Pulmonary Grand Rounds, Post-Transplant Clinic	Scholarly Activity
PM	Procedures, Quality Meetings	Subspecialty Clinic	Education	Procedures	Scholarly Activity

Sample Inpatient Schedule

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Weekend
AM	Selection Committee, Inpatient Rounds	Inpatient Rounds	Inpatient Rounds	Pulmonary Grand Rounds, Inpatient Rounds	Inpatient Rounds	4 days/mo Inpatient Rounds
PM	Education/Research	Education	Education	Procedures	Scholarly Activity