Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Fellowship
322
Peer-Reviewed Publications in 2023
64K+
Patient Encounters
92
Active Clinical Trials
About Our Fellowship
The Houston Methodist Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Fellowship Program is fully accredited by ACGME and accepts three new fellows each year. The program is designed to develop the careers of future colleagues and leaders in community and academic pulmonary and/or critical care practice. We structure our training program to meet the goals of each individual trainee, with a focus on developing core competencies in all aspects of pulmonary diseases, critical care and research. The ACGME core competencies and milestones are achieved through a required set of rotations, a didactic curriculum, conferences, and elective rotations designed to broaden the base of knowledge and facilitate high quality, cost effective clinical practice. Our fellows, faculty, and program are continuously evaluated to ensure success in achieving these competencies, goals and objectives.
Houston Methodist Hospital is an 828 bed hospital with 67 operating rooms in the Texas Medical Center with 36,680 admissions and 67,720 emergency department visits each year. Houston Methodist has been named to FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for the past 10 years, and is one of only four Houston companies ranked. It is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's best hospitals, ranked in 11 of 16 adult specialties for 2014, the most in the state. Houston Methodist Hospital also was ranked by the magazine as the No.1 hospital in Houston and in Texas.
Houston Methodist Hospital is an 828 bed hospital with 67 operating rooms in the Texas Medical Center with 36,680 admissions and 67,720 emergency department visits each year. Houston Methodist has been named to FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for the past 10 years, and is one of only four Houston companies ranked. It is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's best hospitals, ranked in 11 of 16 adult specialties for 2014, the most in the state. Houston Methodist Hospital also was ranked by the magazine as the No.1 hospital in Houston and in Texas.
Our Program Faculty
Deepa Gotur, MD, FCCP
Program Director, Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Fellowship
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Academic Institute
Associate Clinical Member, Research Institute
Houston Methodist
Weill Cornell Medical College
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Academic Institute
Associate Clinical Member, Research Institute
Houston Methodist
Weill Cornell Medical College
Christopher Cortes, MD
Associate Program Director, Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Fellowship
Clinical Service Chief, Critical Care Medicine
Medical Director, Medical Intensive Care Unit
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
Houston Methodist Hospital
Clinical Service Chief, Critical Care Medicine
Medical Director, Medical Intensive Care Unit
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
Houston Methodist Hospital
Mena Botros, MD
Associate Program Director, Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Fellowship
Transplant Medicine
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
Houston Methodist Hospital
Transplant Medicine
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
Houston Methodist Hospital
Lauryn N. Morrison, MHA
Senior Program Coordinator, Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Fellowship
Rodney Folz, MD, PhD, ATSF
Chief, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
Jerald B. Katz Academy and Katz Investigator Endowment
Houston Methodist Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medical College
Department of Medicine
Jerald B. Katz Academy and Katz Investigator Endowment
Houston Methodist Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medical College
Daniela Moran, MD, FCCP
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
MICU Intensivist
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Hospital
Weill Cornell Medical College
MICU Intensivist
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Hospital
Sandeep Sahay, MD, MSc, ATSF
Co-Director, Pulmonary Hypertension and CTEPH Programs
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
Houston Methodist Hospital
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
Houston Methodist Hospital
Faisal Zahiruddin, DO
Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Hospital
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Hospital
Tarek Dammad, MD
Clinical Director of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Division
Interventional Pulmonology
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Hospital
Interventional Pulmonology
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Hospital
Max Adelman, MD, MSc
MICU, Intensivist
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases
Department of Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
Houston Methodist Hospital
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases
Department of Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
Houston Methodist Hospital
Zeenat Safdar, MD, MS
Pulmonary Hypertension
Interim Director, Houston Lung Center
Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic and
Pulmonary Fibrosis Care Network
Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
Houston Methodist Hospital
Interim Director, Houston Lung Center
Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic and
Pulmonary Fibrosis Care Network
Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
Houston Methodist Hospital
Umar Ashraf, MBBS
Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Academic Institute
Houston Methodist
Weill Cornell Medical College
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Academic Institute
Houston Methodist
Weill Cornell Medical College
Ahmad Goodarzi, MD
Transplant Medicine
Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Transplant Medicine
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Lung Transplant Center
Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Transplant Medicine
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Lung Transplant Center
J. Georges Youssef, MD
Transplant Medicine
Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Transplant Medicine
Houston Methodist J. C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center
Medical Director, Houston Methodist J. C. Walter Jr. Advanced Lung Diseases Program
Medical Director, Houston Methodist Cardiopulmonary Lab
Medical Director, Houston Methodist Pulmonary Rehab
Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Transplant Medicine
Houston Methodist J. C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center
Medical Director, Houston Methodist J. C. Walter Jr. Advanced Lung Diseases Program
Medical Director, Houston Methodist Cardiopulmonary Lab
Medical Director, Houston Methodist Pulmonary Rehab
Raul Sanchez Leon, MD
Weill Cornell Medical College
MICU Intensivist
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Hospital
MICU Intensivist
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Hospital
Howard Huang, MD
Transplant Medicine
Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Transplant Medicine
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Lung Transplant Center
Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Transplant Medicine
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Lung Transplant Center
Simon Yau, MD
Transplant Medicine
Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Transplant Medicine
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Lung Transplant Center
Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Transplant Medicine
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Lung Transplant Center
Matt Khoshnevis, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
MICU Intensivist
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Hospital
Weill Cornell Medical College
MICU Intensivist
Department of Medicine
Houston Methodist Hospital
J. Fernando Santacruz, MD, FCCP, DAABIP
Program Director, Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Fellowship
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Academic Institute
Associate Clinical Member, Research Institute
Houston Methodist
Weill Cornell Medical College
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Academic Institute
Associate Clinical Member, Research Institute
Houston Methodist
Weill Cornell Medical College
Message from the Program Director
Welcome, and thank you for visiting the website of the Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Fellowship program at Houston Methodist Hospital.
Our faculty members engaged in teaching and training fellows are seasoned educators and clinicians dedicated to the success of the program. The fellowship program enjoys a wealth of diverse clinical expertise and patient variety for pulmonary conditions, including pulmonary hypertension, lung transplantation, lung cancer and chronic pulmonary diseases. Four ICU's (medical, surgical-liver, cardiovascular surgery, neurology/neurosurgery) offer experience in the entire range of care for critically ill patients, including heart, liver and lung transplant, ECMO, LVADs, hypothermia, neuromuscular disease, and innovative procedures. Fellows will also follow a panel of patients in outpatient clinics at Houston Methodist Hospital and Hope Clinic (a federally qualified health center) as a valuable complement to the clinical experience in the hospital.
Houston Methodist has its own Research Institute, and its location in the Texas Medical Center − the largest medical center in the world with two medical schools, multiple nursing schools, a pharmacy school, the largest cancer hospital in the world, and Rice University across the street, provides endless opportunities for those interested in pursuing scientific and clinical research.
Should you have any additional questions, or need further clarification about the program, please do not hesitate to contact me or the fellowship coordinator.
Thank you for your interest in our program. We wish you every success in your future career.
Deepa Gotur, MD
Director, Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Fellowship
Eligibility and Application
Houston Methodist Hospital participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). All PGY4 positions are offered through the NRMP.
Applications must be processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Paper applications are not accepted. All applications are carefully reviewed, and selected applicants are notified electronically through ERAS if an interview is requested. "Pre-Match" positions are not offered.
Houston Methodist Hospital no longer hires employees who use tobacco products. Our new tobacco-free hiring policy supports our mission to improve the health of our patients, our employees and the community around us. As a health care provider, we believe we should promote a healthy environment for our own employees and the communities where we work and live.
Application Requirements
- Complete a common ERAS application form
- At least three (3) letters of recommendation—One of the letters should be from the residency program director. All letters of recommendation should be current or within the last 2 years. Letters of recommendation from observer rotations are not considered.
- Personal statement
- Curriculum vitae
- Medical school transcript
- Must have passed all USMLE examinations on first attempt
- Three years previous Internal Medicine residency training
- No H-1B visas. Only J-1 Visas are offered.
Interview Schedule
Interview Season: September thru October
Application Deadline: August
Early application is encouraged.
Mission & Goals
Curriculum
Commitment
We cultivate a learning and working environment grounded in respect, accountability, and the ICARE values of Houston Methodist Hospital. Our commitment is to provide equitable access to training and to foster an inclusive environment for all trainees, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or religion.
Goals
- Ensure fellows achieve competency in Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, preparing them for ABIM board certification in these specialties.
- Provide advanced training in pulmonary care to enhance fellows' expertise.
- Offer mentorship in clinical medical research for fellows pursuing careers in academic medicine.
- Support fellows with career goals of becoming clinician-educators.
- Develop leadership and administrative skills for fellows aiming to excel in clinical leadership roles.
Mission
Our mission is to deliver exceptional training for the next generation of leaders in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. We achieve this through excellence in clinical practice, research, and educational experiences within our tertiary care academic and research center, which serves a diverse patient population and provides world-class patient care.
Vision
To be an unparalleled, world-class fellowship training program that continuously optimizes the learning environment through fellow and faculty feedback, while producing leaders, visionaries, and innovators in the field of pulmonary and critical care medicine. We are committed to advancing medical education, fostering clinical excellence, and shaping the future of healthcare.
Curriculum
Program Year Sample Schedules
Rotation Synopses
MICU
The MICU at Houston Methodist Hospital is a 23-bed unit staffed at all time by Critical Care and Pulmonary/Critical Care faculty and nurse practitioners. Fellows are assigned to this rotation for 2 months in each year of training and can choose additional elective time. Internal Medicine and Neurology residents and medical students rotate through the unit in addition to fellows. Patients present with a wide variety of conditions including sepsis, respiratory failure, pre- and post- lung transplant illness, acute and chronic renal failure, neuromuscular disease, hyperglycemic crises, malignancies and others. Fellows are responsible for direct patient care as well as supervision of residents and medical students. Procedures include intubation, central venous lines (including hemodialysis catheters), arterial lines, bronchoscopy, paracentesis, and others. Multidisciplinary rounds are held each morning with a team that includes pharmacists, respiratory therapists, chaplains, dieticians, nurses and bioethics representatives.
SICU
Fellows are assigned to this rotation for 1 block in the first year and can choose additional elective time. The SICU is a 28 bed unit staffed by Critical Care faculty from the Department of Surgery and nurse practitioners. The SICU serves a diverse group of patients including critically ill general, vascular, oncologic, transplant, orthopedic, plastic, urologic, and head and neck surgical patients. The rotation includes significant exposure to patients with decompensated liver disease as well as pre- and post- liver transplant patients.
NICU
Fellows are assigned to this rotation for 1 block in the first year and can choose additional elective time. The NICU is a 20 bed unit staffed by Critical Care faculty from the Department of Anesthesiology. The NICU serves patients with diseases and conditions of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Fellows have significant exposure to neurosurgical procedures, neuromonitoring, acute stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, innovative interventional neuroradiology procedures, brain death and organ donation.
CVICU
Fellows are assigned to this rotation for 1 block in the second year of training and can choose additional elective time. The CVICU is a 40-bed unit staffed at all time by Critical Care faculty from the Department of Anesthesiology. This rotation provides exposure to the evaluation and management of a variety of patients with cardiovascular surgery, heart and lung transplant, mechanical assist devices, and other critical illnesses. In addition, the fellow will gain significant experience with ECMO and innovative cardiovascular surgical procedures. Fellows are involved in presenting at Journal Club and case presentations in addition to didactic lectures based on ICU topics.
Academic Consults
Fellows are assigned to this rotation for 4 blocks during the 3 years of training and can choose additional elective time. On this rotation, fellows act as a consultant under the supervision of the Pulmonary faculty from the Department of Medicine for hospitalized patients with a variety of acute and chronic pulmonary conditions. Consults include patients on the general floor and ICUs. Fellows perform pulmonary procedures when indicated on their patients.
Private Consults
Fellows are assigned to this rotation for 4 blocks during the 3 years of training and can choose additional elective time. On this rotation, fellows act as a consultant under the supervision of faculty from the private physicians of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Consultants for hospitalized patients with a variety of acute and chronic pulmonary conditions. Consults include patients on the general floor and ICUs. Fellows will perform routine as well as specialized pulmonary procedures when indicated on their patients.
Pulmonary Function
Fellows are assigned to this rotation for 1 block in the first year of training and can choose additional elective time. Fellows supervise and interpret pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gases, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing for hospitalized patients and outpatients.
Transplant
Fellows are assigned to this rotation for 2 blocks during the first and second year of training and can choose additional elective time depending on career goals. Fellows participate in the evaluation and care of pre- and post- lung transplant patients as inpatients and outpatients. They participate in a very active outpatient transplant clinic and perform bronchoscopies and other indicated procedures. Fellows are supervised by the Pulmonary Transplant faculty and participate in a multidisciplinary team that includes nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and social workers.
Sleep
Fellows are assigned to this rotation for 1 block in the first year of training and can choose additional elective time if desired. Fellows are supervised by Sleep Medicine faculty during outpatient and inpatient evaluations of a variety of sleep disorders. Polysomnograms are reviewed by the fellow with the attending. They are responsible for recommendations for appropriate interventions and medications.
Interventional Pulmonology
Fellows are assigned to this rotation for 1 block in their second year of training and can choose additional elective time. Fellows participate in evaluation of patients and performance of routine and advanced pulmonary techniques under the supervision of an interventional pulmonologist or advanced bronchoscopist. Advanced procedures include endobronchial ultrasound, insertion of tunneled pleural catheters, rigid bronchoscopy, argon plasma coagulation, cryotherapy, stent placement, brachytherapy, electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy, bronchial thermoplasty, endobronchial coils/valves, percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy, and others.
LTAC
Fellows are assigned to this rotation at Kindred Hospital for 1 block in their first year of training and can consider additional elective time. Fellows evaluate and manage a variety of inpatients with chronic pulmonary diseases and chronic critical illness who require aggressive pulmonary rehabilitation, physical rehabilitation and weaning from mechanical ventilation. They are supervised by the Pulmonary faculty from the Department of Medicine.
Research
Fellows are assigned to this rotation for a minimum of 4 blocks during the 3 year training program but may elect to take an additional 2 blocks. An experience in research is mandatory for every fellow. During this rotation, the fellow gains an understanding of critical thinking, scientific methodology and basic statistical methods. The fellow develops a research question, submits an IRB proposal and carries out the protocol with the expectation of peer-reviewed publication or presentation of results at a national meeting. Mentors are selected based on the research direction of the fellow. Basic science and clinical support are available and the Houston Methodist Research Institute offers collaboration with renowned researchers.
Palliative Medicine
Fellows are assigned to this rotation for 1 block in the second year of training and can choose additional elective time. Fellows function as part of a Palliative Care team that includes physicians, nurse practitioners and social workers. They will evaluate and manage patients with a variety palliative care needs including pain and symptom control, end-of-life care, support of family members, and setting goals of care under the supervision of the Palliative Care attending faculty. Fellows gain extensive experience with family meetings and hospice utilization.
Pathology/Radiology
Fellows are assigned to this rotation for 1 block in the second year of training. Fellows work directly with pathologists, pathology fellows, and radiologists to acquire expertise in lung and critical care imaging and interpretation of lung pathology specimens. Fellows review pathology samples and imaging studies from inpatients and outpatients at Houston Methodist Hospital and its affiliated facilities.
FAQs
How do I contact my interviewers after the interview day, if I’d like to follow up?
All applicants will receive an email via ERAS after the interview containing the contact information for all faculty members who participated in interviews on the respective interview day.
Can I change my interview date once I have been scheduled?
We kindly request a 7-day advance notice to allow for necessary schedule adjustments. Whenever possible, we will offer an alternative date, if any are available.
I am driving my own car to the interview. Where do I park?
For in-person interviews, applicants are encouraged to park in the Smith Tower garage, where parking will be validated.
How long does the interview day last?
A typical interview day runs from 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
I have a flight departing in the early afternoon. Can I request to interview in the morning so I will be sure to make my flight?
For in-person interviews, we recommend allowing 2-3 hours to reach the airport after your interview day concludes, depending on the airport. Flight reservations are the applicant's responsibility, so please ensure you allocate enough time. Houston Methodist Hospital is not responsible for any missed flights.
Are Interviews virtual or in-person?
APCCMPD recommends that Pulmonary Critical Care fellowship programs continue to conduct virtual interviews. For the 2024-2025 application cycle, the Houston Methodist Hospital Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship Program will also conduct virtual interviews.
Does Houston Methodist pay for lodging/travel costs?
Houston Methodist does not cover applicant lodging or travel expenses.
Our Fellows
Jonathan Munoz, MD - Chief Fellow
Medical School: Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara Facultad de Medicina
Internal Medicine Residency: Creighton University School of Medicine (Phoenix)
Internal Medicine Residency: Creighton University School of Medicine (Phoenix)
Chidinma Ejikeme, MD - PGY6
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Internal Medicine Residency: Rutgers Health/Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Internal Medicine Residency: Rutgers Health/Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Neha Rao, MD - PGY5
Medical School: Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine
Internal Medicine Residency: Houston Methodist Hospital
Internal Medicine Residency: Houston Methodist Hospital
Anthony Vaccarello, MD - PGY5
Medical School: Trinity School of Medicine
Internal Medicine Residency: Creighton University School of Medicine (Phoenix)
Internal Medicine Residency: Creighton University School of Medicine (Phoenix)
Eunwoo "Eunice" Park, MD - PGY5
Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Internal Medicine Residency: Loma Linda University Health Education Consortium
Internal Medicine Residency: Loma Linda University Health Education Consortium
Ashish Jain, MD - PGY4
Medical School: School of Medical Sciences and Research, Greater Noida
Internal Medicine Residency: Temple University Hospital
Internal Medicine Residency: Temple University Hospital
James Yang, MD - PGY4
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Internal Medicine Residency: UMass Chan - Baystate Program
Internal Medicine Residency: UMass Chan - Baystate Program
Christopher Tanabe, MD - PGY4
Medical School: John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Internal Medicine Residency: Houston Methodist Hospital
Internal Medicine Residency: Houston Methodist Hospital
Our Alumni
Class of 2024 Minoru Taitano, DO Yuanchen Vincent Wang, DO |
Class of 2023 Mohi Syed, MD Mohammad Bitar, MD Class of 2022 Ryan Logue, MD Andrea Fekete, MD Maj. Joseph Kelly, DO |
Class of 2021 Sarah Beshay, MD Sai Katta, MD Class of 2020 Nishal Brahmbhatt, MD Jared Lee, MD |
Class of 2019 Mudassar Ahmed, MD Andres Reyes, MD Zafirah Salman, MD Class of 2018 Atif Siddiqui, MD Faisal Zahiruddin, DO |
Get In Touch
Program Contact
Lauryn N. Morrison
6550 Fannin, Suite 1001
Houston, TX 77030
Tel: 713.441.4431
Email: lnmorrison@houstonmethodist.org
6550 Fannin, Suite 1001
Houston, TX 77030
Tel: 713.441.4431
Email: lnmorrison@houstonmethodist.org
Program Director
Deepa Gotur, MD
Program Director
6550 Fannin, Suite 1001
Houston, TX 77030
Tel: 713.441.4431
Email: dgotur@houstonmethodist.org
Program Director
6550 Fannin, Suite 1001
Houston, TX 77030
Tel: 713.441.4431
Email: dgotur@houstonmethodist.org
Upcoming Academic Events
Grand rounds, tumor boards, regularly scheduled series and case presentations are offered in multiple clinical disciplines and Houston Methodist locations.NIH Research Performance Progress Reports
Dorothy Lewis, PhD, and Israel Ramirez, MS
Dec 03 @ 11AM
See DetailsInstitutional Review Board Seminar
Houston Methodist Research Institute
Bevin Lopez, MS, CEP, CCRP
Dec 04 @ 12PM
See Details55
Grand Rounds conducted in 2023
These educational events are held according to varying schedules by departments and divisions within the Houston Methodist Academic Institute
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