Interventional Pulmonary Fellowship Program

Established in 2014, the interventional pulmonary fellowship at Yale offers unique training for the individual aspiring to acquire the necessary skills for a career in IP. We strive to offer the appropriate balance of clinical training, research and education and have designed a one-year fellowship around these goals. We participate in the IP match and are accredited by the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP). We use the application system devised by the Association of Interventional Pulmonary Program Directors. To apply using the IPFAS, please use the AABIP website.

This fellowship focuses on developing skills in minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for diagnosing and treating various pulmonary conditions. They learn to effectively manage complications that may arise during these procedures and understand the appropriate patient selection criteria for each intervention. The fellow participates in the routine clinical management of the interventional pulmonary service, including procedures and inpatient and outpatient clinical care. This is based at Yale New Haven Hospital. Fellows spend one half-day per week in clinic with an interventional pulmonary attending. We fully prepare the fellow to pass the IP board exam with clinical training in the following:

• Rigid bronchoscopy
• Robotic bronchoscopy
• Airway stent placement
• Airway ablation procedures (APC, electrocautery, cryotherapy)
• Percutaneous tracheostomy
• Convex probe EBUS
• Peripheral EBUS
• Thoracic ultrasound and ultrasound-guided thoracentesis
• Endobronchial valve placement
• Chest tube placement
• Tunneled pleural catheter placement
• Medical Pleuroscopy and pleurodesis
• Whole lung lavage
• And other procedures within the realm of Interventional Pulmonology

During their one-year clinical fellowship, fellows will actively be supported in pursuit of academic projects. We encourage fellows to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of interventional pulmonology.In addition to clinical research pursuits, faculty will assist and support in mentoring presentations at national conferences and publication of scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Weekly academic didactic conferences are held for IP fellow education covering core IP topics. In addition to the core IP faculty as well as other specialty faculty, the fellow will present at these conferences. Additionally, the fellow is expected to attend and be actively involved in weekly multidisciplinary thoracic tumor board. Other multispecialty conferences include advanced COPD/BLVR as well as complex airway conferences. The fellow will have the opportunity to present at the PCCSM fellow’s weekly didactic conference.