NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine’s Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship provides fellows a rich case mix that includes infants and children with asthma, bronchiolitis, chronic lung disease of infancy, apnea, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, immunodeficiencies, sleep disorders, and neuromuscular diseases, and those who are dependent on a ventilator.

Our fellows develop clinical expertise in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of pediatric patients with pulmonary conditions. In addition, fellows actively participate in the education of pediatric residents and medical students in both structured didactic sessions and informal patient discussions.

Fellows work closely with gastroenterologists, neonatologists, allergists and immunologists, and surgeons, as well as general pediatricians in a multidisciplinary setting. Fellows are involved in both clinical and bench research and quality improvement projects.

Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship program aims include the following:

• provide fellows state-of-the-art clinical and academic training in pediatric pulmonary patients from birth to adulthood and being an integral part of their patients’ care
• train fellows in the diagnosis and management of children with a vast array of respiratory diseases in the intensive care units, the general pediatric units, and in our outpatient offices
• help fellows develop effective communication skills to provide individual counseling to parents and children, teach small and large groups, and participate in public speaking engagements for both medical and nonmedical personnel
• train fellows in educating pediatric residents and working closely with other subspecialties, as well as general pediatricians in multidisciplinary settings
• teach fellows to work efficiently and harmoniously within a multidisciplinary team that includes medical, nursing, administrative, and other health professionals
• educate fellows on how to proficiently perform appropriate respiratory history and physical examinations in outpatient, inpatient, and emergency settings, and acquire the skills and knowledge to independently diagnose and manage respiratory illnesses in children

The fellowship is a three-year program. The first year is heavily weighted toward developing clinical acumen, and the second and third years are devoted to pursuing the fellow’s research interests.

Our graduates are leaders in the field, with the majority working in academic medicine. Pediatric pulmonology is a thriving specialty in major academic centers throughout the country. Because of advancements in treating cystic fibrosis and care of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and new developments in the genetic testing of childhood interstitial disease, the specialty has been very dynamic and offers strong employment opportunities.

Melodi B. Pirzada, MD, is the director of the fellowship program, which is administered through the Department of Pediatrics.

Clinical Training

Our training program provides fellows with a wide variety of clinical experience in the inpatient and outpatient management of pediatric pulmonary diseases.

Fellows are an integral part in the care of infants and children with pulmonary disorders at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island. They are involved in the diagnosis and management of children with a vast array of respiratory diseases in the intensive care units, the general pediatrics units, and in our outpatient offices.

In addition to consultation rotations at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, inpatient clinical training includes cystic fibrosis experience at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone and chronic patient consultations at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children in Bayside, Queens.

Outpatient clinical experience includes pediatric pulmonary, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and sleep medicine clinics at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island. Fellows also rotate through the pediatric cystic fibrosis clinic, aerodigestive clinic, primary ciliary dyskinesia clinic, and familial dysautonomia clinic at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital.

Fellows receive hands-on experience in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) including ventilator management of acute and chronic respiratory failure, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy training for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric respiratory disease.

Elective rotations are available in allergy and immunology; ear, nose, and throat; radiology; sleep medicine; or other rotations approved by the director.

Didactic Training

The Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship offers a comprehensive didactic curriculum. Fellows attend conferences including a weekly core lecture and diagnostic lecture, monthly journal club and journal review, monthly case presentation and board review, and a pathology lecture every other month, as well as cystic fibrosis and radiology lectures. Fellows also participate in multidisciplinary lectures every month and are invited to the adult pulmonologist conferences.

Fellows are encouraged to participate in educational meetings and conferences held by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Thoracic Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and New York State Thoracic Society.

Research Opportunities

The close interaction our fellows have with the house staff and other pediatric fellows allows ample opportunity to perform and collaborate on sophisticated and significant basic science and clinical research. Our present group of fellows have presented their research findings at international conferences.

An introduction to research course is offered to help fellows develop their ability to ask, answer, and analyze research questions. Opportunities exist in clinical research, bench research, and quality improvement, as well as providing support as a research coordinator or statistician.

Fellows can learn state-of the-art techniques of molecular biology and have access to faculty doing research on basic mechanisms of lung injury, apoptosis, formulatory of new antimicrobials, and the interactions of respiratory viruses with the lung.

How to Apply

The three-year Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship has an opening for a fellowship position beginning July of every year. Potential candidates should be graduates of a pediatrics residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Our program sponsors J-1 visa applications.

Your application must include the following items:

• proof of completion of an ACGME-accredited pediatrics residency
• results of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1, 2, and 3 (first-attempt pass)
• three letters of recommendation

We may also request additional information as needed. For more information about applying to our fellowship, please contact Dr. Pirzada at melodi.pirzada@nyulangone.org.

Contact Us

If you have questions or would like more information about our Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship, please contact Susan Sinisi, academic coordinator, at 516-663-3840 or susan.sinisi@nyulangone.org.

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