Letter from Program Director

Welcome to the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship program!

As a graduate of this program, I can personally attest to the extensive clinical and research opportunities available, as well as the individualized support and effective mentorship provided by the faculty. It is my honor and privilege to continue this support as program director.

Program Highlights

Education

• The DC-Baltimore PCCM Education Consortium hosts a three-week boot camp in July for all incoming fellows and is supplemented by an Advanced Education Program in the winter. Hence, the first month for new fellows is protected education time with no clinical responsibilities.
• Core conferences—facilitated through multi-institutional collaboration—leverage regional partnerships to provide fellows access to esteemed educators. These partnerships enrich educational opportunities.
• With a 100% pass rate for the Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine boards over the last five years, our graduates demonstrate exceptional competency and readiness for professional certification.

Clinical Training

• Subspecialty rotations in lung transplant, interventional pulmonology, interstitial lung disease and sleep medicine are available. In addition, fellows have the unique opportunity to rotate on the pulmonary consult service at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, exposing them to rare diseases and diverse immunosuppressed conditions.
• Similarly, the variety of intensive care units facilitates robust training in critical care medicine. Rotations include the medical ICU, cardiac surgery ICU, neuro ICU, surgical ICU, trauma ICU (including VV-ECMO unit) and the critical care resuscitation unit.
• Fellows attain competency in a wide array of procedures, including endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilator management, critical care ultrasound, bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound, thoracenteses and pigtail catheter placement.

Research

• The division is academically prolific, with more than 30 abstract presentations at the American Thoracic Society International Meeting. Fellows actively contribute to research projects, resulting in publications.
• Fellows gain valuable experience by collaborating with a diverse range of research mentors both within and beyond our division. This includes partnerships with institutions like the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing and the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health.
• Research skills are further developed through participation in the Center for Advanced Research Training and Innovation (CARTI).

Resources

• Numerous wellness resources—supported by both the GME Office and our division—underscore the commitment to the health and well-being of our fellows, prioritizing the mitigation of fatigue and moral injury. 
• The third-year fellow schedule is tailored to each individual's needs and career interests, ensuring optimal preparation for their chosen path. Subspecialty, clinician-educator, UME educator and research tracks are available. 

Thank you for your interest in our program. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at vholden@som.umaryland.edu.

You can also follow us on X @UMdPCCM for an inside look to our program! Learn why you should choose UMMC or more about life in Baltimore.

Sincerely,

Van K. Holden, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Section of Interventional Pulmonology
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Director, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship