Program Director
Zea Borok, M.D.

Associate Program Directors
Kamyar Afshar, D.O.
Ching Fe Chang, M.D.
Sivagini Ganesh, M.D.
A. Purush Rao, M.D.

The University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine is part of a rapidly growing environment dedicated to excellence in research, teaching and clinical care. The Health Sciences Campus includes the Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, Norris Medical Library, Will Rogers Institute Pulmonary Research Center, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keith Mayer Postgraduate Education Center, Los Angeles County+University of Southern California Medical Center, USC/Norris Hospital and Research Institute, Estelle Doheny Eye Hospital and Institute, USC University Hospital and USC HealthCare Consultation Centers I and II.

The Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine of the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine shares the dynamism and excellence of the Health Sciences Campus by offering a challenging and diverse three year fellowship training program leading to competency in both Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.

The Division, under the leadership of Zea Borok, M.D., has become known as one of the best in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, providing an intensive learning experience in all aspects of adult pulmonary and critical care medicine and in research investigations creating new knowledge in pulmonary and critical care science.

The Fellowship Program

The fellowship program is designed and balanced to provide each trainee with a range of exposure to the diagnosis and management of pulmonary diseases and the experience and skills required of a medical intensivist. At the present time, five new fellows are admitted to the program every year. Clinical responsibilities primarily encompass the first year and half of the second year, with the remainder of the three years devoted to research and teaching activities. During the clinical phase of the training, fellows are involved in evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients admitted to the various USC Hospitals. The rotations include LAC+USC Medical Center, USC University Hospital, and USC/Norris Hospital. Fellows assess problems, make appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations, and perform specialized procedures, including fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Trainees receive instruction in pulmonary function and x-ray interpretations, principles and techniques of hemodynamics and mechanical ventilation, and all other aspects of pulmonary and critical care medicine. Throughout the program, fellows are encouraged to become independent thinkers and develop an attitude of intellectual scholarship by providing an intensive academic atmosphere. Our graduates are equipped to enter any aspect of pulmonary and critical care medicine, from full-time academia to full-time private practice. The Division's dedication to excellence in patient care, research, and teaching is expressed in every phase of the training program. A distinguished faculty of twenty one full-time and numerous part-time physicians and scientists share teaching responsibilities while pursuing active research and delivering modern clinical care.

Division Teaching Conferences

In addition to daily formal attending rounds, a strong commitment to teaching is evidenced by an extensive daily conference schedule (starting at 8:30 a.m.), consisting of didactic clinical lectures, multi-disciplinary case conferences (with radiology, infectious diseases and pathology services), grand rounds, journal club, and research seminars on various aspects of pulmonary and critical care medicine and related sciences. Guest lectures and seminars with nationally and internationally known physicians and scientists are held frequently. Sample schedules of our monthly conference programs are available.

Fellow Research Opportunities

Basic and clinical research remains a major focus of the Division's interests and activities. A number of investigators are studying pulmonary and critical care biology at the organism, organ, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. Current areas of basic investigation in the Division include: study of mechanisms and regulation of water, solute and macromolecule transport across the pulmonary alveolar epithelium; development of cell-type specific markers for alveolar type I and type II cells using monoclonal antibodies and genetic markers; and regulation of gene expression during lung development, growth, and differentiation. Clinical areas of investigation include: new therapeutic interventions in pulmonary edema; prevention of barotrauma in mechanically ventilated patients; gas exchange abnormalities in burn patients; cytokines in ARDS; immunology in lung transplantation; and gene therapy in cystic fibrosis. Research opportunities as outlined below are available with various members of the faculty.

Requirements

The American Board of Internal Medicine requires three postgraduate years of clinical experience prior to entering a pulmonary and critical care medicine fellowship program. A solid foundation in general internal medicine is essential. Every fellow must have a California medical license by the beginning of the fellowship training program. Licensure in the State of California for international medical graduates can be especially time-consuming.

Candidates are advised to contact personally the Division of Licensing, Medical Board of California, 1426 Howe Avenue, Sacramento, California 95825-3236, (916) 920-6411.