Interventional pulmonology (IP) is a rapidly growing, procedurally focused subspecialty of pulmonary medicine. At Memorial Sloan Kettering, a one-year IP fellowship has been designed to develop and train interventional pulmonologists in advanced diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy, as well as advanced minimally invasive pleural procedures. The implementation of these procedures is across the breadth of malignant and nonmalignant diseases, including lung cancer (diagnosis and staging); metastatic cancer of the thorax; central airway obstruction (malignant, tracheal stenosis, tracheobronchomalacia); mediastinal lymph node staging; peripheral pulmonary nodules; pleural effusion; pneumothorax; and respiratory failure. In addition, the most advanced cancer care at MSK augments the training academically and procedurally. The IP section of the Pulmonary Medicine Service was started in July 2008.
Through didactics, consultation, multidisciplinary conferences, case-based/patient-based discussions, and research, the IP fellow will advance his or her understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the airways, mediastinum, lung, and pleural space as integrated along with procedural training. This will reinforce the foundation learned during training in pulmonary and critical care medicine.
Hands-on procedural training is conducted under the supervision of three fully trained interventional pulmonologists and one advanced procedural pulmonologist, all of whom are highly experienced full-time pulmonary faculty. In addition, hands-on simulation training for both bronchoscopy and pleural procedures is utilized to introduce new procedures and reinforce ongoing training. There is routine collaboration with Thoracic Surgery, Anesthesiology, Head and Neck Surgery, Interventional Radiology, Critical Care Medicine, Radiology, and Pathology through multidisciplinary conferences, as well as case discussions and procedural planning. The IP fellow trainee will participate as faculty at our annual CME course held in September (www.mskcc.org/IPcourse).
Diagnostic Bronchoscopy (Flexible and Rigid):
- Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS), curvilinear and radial probe
- Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy (superDimension)
- Narrow Band Imaging (NBI)
- Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA) and Core Needle Biopsy
- Transbronchial Biopsy
- Transbronchial Cryobiopsy
Therapeutic Bronchoscopy (Flexible and Rigid):
- Airway Stents — Metallic, Silicon and Hybrid, Placement and Removal
- Balloon and Mechanical Airway Dilatation
- Microdebrider and Mechanical Debulking
- Laser Bronchoscopy: Nd:YAG, YAP and KTP
- Electrocautery
- Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC)
- Cryotherapy
- Endobronchial Brachytherapy
- One-way Endobronchial Valve Placement
- Endoscopic Abscess Drainage
- Fibrin Glue Closure
- Foreign Body Removal
- Fiducial Marker Placement
Pleural Diseases:
- Thoracic Ultrasound
- Thoracentesis
- Thoracostomy (Chest Tubes)
- Thoracic Vent
- Chemical Pleurodesis
- Tunneled Pleural Catheters (PleurX and Aspira)
- Medical Thoracoscopy (Pleuroscopy)
Others:
- Percutaneous Tracheostomy
- Ultrasound guided percutaneous lymph node biopsy
- Whole Lung Lavage
Finally, the trainee is expected to actively participate in and initiate new research within IP. Dedicated time would be set aside for protected ongoing research under the mentorship of a member of the IP faculty. The expectation is for presentation at a national society meeting and subsequent publication. The fellow will be encouraged to participate in the MSK Clinical Research Methodology Curriculum. In addition, he or she will have the opportunity to work on device design with Medical Physics, Bioengineering, and Research and Technology Management.
The IP fellowship at MSK is the first program recognized by the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP) in New York City and New York State. The pulmonary medicine and IP experience, procedural volume, and expert cancer care at MSK make this a highly competitive and sought-after training program. Program graduates are expected to be highly competitive to join established or start new interventional pulmonology practices, integrate into national and international societies, and establish leadership roles in the academic community. The IP trainee will be eligible for the AABIP board exam and is expected to sit for it. The IP fellowship is not an ACGME-accredited program, but as of February 13, 2024, the ACGME has approved the Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship as a non-standard training (NST) program linked to MSK’s ACGME-accredited Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Fellowship.
This position is for those who have completed an ACGME-accredited fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Applications are accepted via Interventional Pulmonary Fellowship Application Service (IPFAS) at www.aippd.org until August 31; the program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
Application deadline
August 31
Length of program
One Year
Eligibility
Candidates must be both board eligible or certified in Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine.
Number of positions
2
How to Apply
Applications are accepted through the Interventional Pulmonary Fellowship Application System© (IPFAS) on aippd.org.
Program Director
Robert P. Lee, MD
Associate Program Director
Catherine Oberg, MD
