Fellows Resources

Objectives - The objective of this program is to help post-MD trainees develop a scholarly approach to pulmonary medicine, critical care medicine and lung biology enabling them to pursue a variety of career options, including academic medicine. To meet this objective, we offer an accredited three year combined program in Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine that qualifies trainees for certification in both subspecialties. The latter years of the training program are intended to provide an in-depth experience with clinical and/or basic science investigation. Trainees who desire to obtain a substantial experience in research will need a particularly intense effort and may require an additional period of research training.

Clinical Facilities - The clinical programs of the Department of Medicine are based in the UNC Hospital, which serves as the principal teaching institution for the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, as the community hospital for the town of Chapel Hill and its environs, and as a state-wide referral center. UNC Hospitals is a Level I Trauma Center with active lung, heart-lung, heart, renal, pancreas, liver and bone marrow transplant programs. The hospital has 660 beds of which 107 are devoted to intensive care. The three-year residency training program in internal medicine includes approximately 70 residents and 100 full-time faculty who represent all the subspecialties of internal medicine. There is a substantial outreach program which provides medical students and post-MD trainees opportunities in a number of hospitals and practices throughout the state of North Carolina.

Basic Research - The division has vigorous and well-funded research programs in airway epithelial physiology, gene therapy, animal models, lung development, and regulation of cellular function and respiratory toxicology. Expertise in molecular biology, gene and protein expression, morphometry, culture of human cells, ion transport, transgenic animals and confocal microscopy support these activities.

Clinical Research - A major strength of the faculty is the ability to translate basic science discoveries into clinical studies. Current activities focus on regulation of airway mucociliary clearance, gene transfer, obstructive airways diseases and inhalational toxicology.

Standard Program Content - The program meets the ABIM requirements for Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Board, and encompasses 18 clinical months over three years. Rotations include Intensive Care Units, Consultations, Clinics, Lung Transplant, and electives. Research training is adaptable to individual goals.

Additional Options - Extended research training is available for Fellows who desire additional experience in preparation for academic careers.

Detailed Program Brochure
Application Process
UNC Office of Graduate Medical Education