Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine

Program Overview

The Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine fellowship program at UTMB Health is a three-year training accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) program. It has a rich tradition of providing quality patient care, educational excellence and is highly productive in the arena of scholarly activity. The core of UTMB's success is its diverse patient population, engaging faculty, investment in quality education and patient care, and a family-friendly atmosphere that make this program an ideal location for fellows to train. Our vision is to train each of our fellows to assume positions of leadership in their career and to do so in a challenging, yet nurturing environment. To that end, we have carefully designed a unique curriculum that provides graduated training in the clinical environment, procedural skills, quality and research, and education. 

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

Shawn Pua Eiko Nishi, MD

Shawn Nishi, MD
Professor
Program Director

Fellowship Mission Statement

Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship Training Program in Galveston, Texas is to train exceptional physicians to become proficient, compassionate, and well-rounded specialists in the field of pulmonary medicine and critical care. Our program is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and rigorous training experience that prepares fellows to excel in clinical practice, research, education, and leadership roles. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and excellence while promoting the well-being and success of our fellows.

1. Excellence in Clinical Practice: Our program aims to produce skilled clinicians who provide outstanding care to patients with pulmonary diseases and critical illnesses. Through a structured and diverse clinical curriculum, fellows will gain expertise in diagnosing, managing, and treating a wide range of pulmonary and critical care conditions. We emphasize evidence-based medicine, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centered care to ensure the highest quality of clinical practice.

2. Advancement of Research: We strive to foster a culture of curiosity, scientific inquiry, and innovation among our fellows. Through mentorship and research opportunities, we aim to develop their skills in conducting meaningful research projects in the field of pulmonary medicine and critical care. Our goal is to contribute to advancements in knowledge, improve patient outcomes, and shape the future of respiratory medicine.

3. Commitment to Education: We are dedicated to providing fellows with a comprehensive educational experience that encompasses clinical, didactic, and interactive learning. Our program offers a robust curriculum that includes lectures, case-based discussions, journal clubs, multidisciplinary conferences, and simulation training. We aim to cultivate lifelong learners who are committed to staying abreast of the latest developments in pulmonary medicine and critical care.

4. Leadership and Advocacy: We recognize the importance of equipping our fellows with the skills and knowledge to be effective leaders and advocates in the field. Our program emphasizes the development of leadership qualities, professionalism, and an understanding of healthcare systems. We encourage fellows to actively engage in professional societies, contribute to policy development, and advocate for the best interests of their patients and the broader community.

5. Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment that values and respects individuals from all backgrounds. We believe that diversity enhances our ability to provide culturally competent care, promotes innovation, and enriches the educational experience for all. We actively seek to recruit and support a diverse group of fellows and faculty members.

 

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  • Fellows Handbook

    The main goal of this training program is to develop requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential to demonstrate competence in patient care, knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, systems-based practice, professionalism, and interpersonal and communication skills relevant to the combined discipline of pulmonary and critical care medicine. Evaluation of competencies is accomplished by a variety of instruments including global evaluations, direct observation, chart auditing, problem based learning and teaching, and multisource feed back using patient and other health care provider input.

    Fellows are required to rotate through a variety of clinical services to obtain the breadth and depth of exposure to disease states needed to form the base of knowledge and experience for a subspecialist in these fields. In addition, during this three year training program, fellows are required to participate in meaningful research and in at least one QA/QI project. Consideration of academic careers is encouraged.

    View the complete PCCM Fellows Handbook

  • Rotations & Locations

    Rotations:

    The UTMB Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program offers strong training in a variety of unique environments. Our fellows receive high-quality training of common and rare pulmonary conditions, experience strong hands-on training in basic and advanced pulmonary procedures and learn from a broad array of pathologies.

    • Ambulatory/Clinic
    • ICU
    • Consults
    • Procedures

    Locations:

    Jennie Sealy- Jennie Sealy is UTMB’s newest hospital building on the main campus. For Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Fellows the key feature is a state-of-the-art ICUs and operating room with the latest equipment and as a level 1 trauma center, our ICU serves a wide catchment area including Galveston itself, several nearby counties, and much of the southern and eastern portions of the Houston metroplex. This building also gives you a chance to enjoy spectacular views of the bay and the gulf from the upper floors.

    Bronchoscopy Suite

    Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Hospital- The Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Hospital Galveston is the only prison hospital located on a major academic campus in the United States. This is an excellent opportunity for Pulmonary & Critical Care fellows to see a broad scope of pathology across all subspecialties in the ICU and within pulmonary clinics. Fellows have come to appreciate this unique environment as one of the most valuable portions of their education.

    University Hospital Clinics

    Victory Lakes Multi-specialty Care Center