Henry Ford St. John Hospital proudly presents a comprehensive 3-year Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship program, designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in pulmonary and critical care. Our program offers a rich and diverse clinical experience, ensuring fellows are exceptionally well-prepared for the challenges and rewards of this dynamic field.
At the heart of our fellowship is an unparalleled exposure to a wide spectrum of patient cases. Our state-of-the-art facilities include a 20-bed Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) renowned for managing complex medical conditions, ranging from severe community-acquired sepsis to intricate oncologic cases and patients requiring advanced life support technologies. Complementing this, our 20-bed Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) and 10-bed Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) provide a comprehensive understanding of non-medical ICU management. Fellows gain invaluable experience in caring for patients undergoing advanced cardiovascular interventions, intricate vascular and oncologic surgeries, and a broad range of general surgical procedures. Furthermore, our distinguished stroke program offers extensive exposure to complex neurosurgical interventions and the nuanced management of neurocritical care patients within the ICU setting.
Beyond intensive care, our dedicated Pulmonary floor offers deep immersion into the management of patients with primary pulmonary diseases. Fellows will gain expertise in treating conditions such as COPD, Asthma, Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), and respiratory failure. Our robust Pulmonary Consult service further broadens the learning experience, providing extensive exposure to pulmonary complications arising from the management of diverse patient populations, including those with oncologic, surgical, trauma, cardiac, renal (including post-transplant), and neurologic conditions. This multifaceted approach ensures a well-rounded and highly practical fellowship experience.
Comprehensive Training Curriculum
| Rotation Area | Duration |
|---|---|
| Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) | 6 months |
| Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) | 2 months |
| Trauma/Burn Unit | 1 month |
| Pulmonary Consult Service | 6 months |
| Pulmonary Inpatient Service | 6 months |
| Anesthesiology | 1 month |
| Pulmonary Function Testing Laboratory | 1 month |
| Elective Rotations | 4 months |
| Research | 5 months |
| Pulmonary Hypertension | 1 month |
| Interventional Pulmonology | 1 month |
| Advanced Lung Disease/Cystic Fibrosis/Lung Transplant | 1 month |
| Sleep Medicine | 1 month |
Inpatient and Ambulatory Clinical Rotations
Our clinical rotations are primarily based at the main campus of St. John Hospital, fostering a cohesive and collaborative learning environment. Exceptions include rotations in Pulmonary Hypertension, Advanced Lung Disease, and Burn care, which are conducted at affiliated off-campus facilities to provide specialized exposure. During inpatient rotations, fellows will work alongside Internal Medicine residents and residents from various specialties, including Surgery, Emergency Medicine, and Family Medicine. This interdisciplinary approach promotes teamwork and a holistic understanding of patient care. All training is meticulously supervised by our experienced and dedicated faculty, ensuring a supportive and educational atmosphere. Fellows will accumulate substantial ICU experience within our MICU, SICU, and CVICU settings. Furthermore, our strong stroke program integrated within the SICU and MICU rotations guarantees extensive Neuro Critical Care experience.
Ambulatory care experience is a cornerstone of our fellowship. Fellows participate in a weekly half-day continuity clinic throughout their three years, providing consistent patient care experiences under the direct guidance of our Pulmonary faculty. In addition, specialized outpatient clinic experiences are integrated into rotations such as Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Advanced Lung Disease/Cystic Fibrosis, offering diverse perspectives in pulmonary and critical care medicine.
Robust Research Opportunities
A significant emphasis is placed on fostering research skills and scholarly activity. Each fellow is paired with a dedicated faculty mentor to guide them through the development and execution of a clinical research project. The first year of the fellowship is focused on project development under the mentor’s supervision. The subsequent years are dedicated to data collection, rigorous analysis, and ultimately, the publication of research findings. Fellows are provided with a platform to present their research annually, allowing for valuable feedback from faculty and peers, enhancing their project and presentation skills. We strongly encourage and support fellows in presenting their research as abstracts at prestigious national meetings, such as the American Thoracic Society (ATS) or the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) meetings, fostering their professional growth and contribution to the field.
Program Leadership and Current Fellows
Our program is led by experienced and dedicated faculty:
- John Lee, M.D., Program Director, PCC Fellowship Program
- Rene Franco, M.D., Associate Program Director, PCC Fellowship Program
Current Fellows (2023-2024):
- Lisa DeRose, M.D., Fellow Year 1
- Akhlema Haidar, D.O., Fellow Year 2
- Mohamed Mansour, Fellow Year 2
- Vita Saracino, M.D., Fellow Year 3
- John Sorge, M.D., Fellow Year 1
- Arshia Vahabzadeh, D.O., MPH, Fellow Year 3
Apply to Our Fellowship Program
For further details about the Ascension St John Hospital Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship program, please contact Julie Webber at (313) 343-3867 or via email at [email protected].
We exclusively accept applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). For comprehensive instructions on how to apply through ERAS, please visit ERAS.
