Fellowship Program


Introduction

Dima Ezmigna
Dima Ezmigna, MD
Director of Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship Program

The Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship Training Program at the University of Florida is structured to help produce the next generation of exceptional pediatric pulmonologists through fostering personal motivation, creativity, diversity of experience, scholarly activity, and teamwork.

The program offers a unique educational experience, as fellows are exposed to the full spectrum of pediatric pulmonary diseases. This includes caring for children with asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic lung disease of prematurity, congenital lung anomalies, airway abnormalities, interstitial lung diseases, neuromuscular diseases, ventilator dependency, sleep-related breathing disorders, and lung transplant.

Fellows have ample opportunities to be proficient in performing and interpreting diagnostic procedures such as lung function testing, infant lung function testing, impulse oscillometry, airway challenge, exercise testing, exhaled nitric oxide measurements, laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, and transbronchial lung biopsy.

There are numerous basic clinical and translational research opportunities that enable fellows to build a successful academic career. Clinical services through the program are not fellow-dependent, and the rotations are uniquely structured to maximize the educational experience. Fellows also have the opportunity to conduct an extra year of sleep medicine through its accredited fellowship program.


Mission

The program’s mission statement is to provide a well-rounded education to future pediatric pulmonary fellows – starting them on a path to a successful career best suited for them (academic, research, or clinical) as well as enabling them to lead and influence the next generation of physicians.

The program’s vision is to be a leading pediatric pulmonary fellowship, within the nation, that provides education and skills necessary in providing state-of-the-art patient care, as well as research skills that will enable subspecialty fellow(s) to contribute to the progress of the program. Program aims include the following:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in all areas of patient care in pediatric pulmonary that is appropriate, effective for evaluation and treatment, and for promotion of health.
  • Develop in depth knowledge about up-to-date pediatric pulmonary, biomedical, clinical, and pediatric scientific information and consistently apply this knowledge to patient care – preparing all fellows to pass subspecialty board certification exam on the first attempt. Additionally, at least 50% of graduates will publish in peer-reviewed medical journals within 5 years of graduation.
  • Develop and enhance interpersonal and communication skills that enables to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, families, and other members of the health care team.
  • Develop and strengthen professional skills, adhere to ethical principles, and demonstrate sensitivity to a diverse patient population.
  • Develop an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care and demonstrate the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal value.
  • Develop the ability to investigate and evaluate their patient care practices, and appraise and assimilate scientific evidence to improve their patient care practices.

Goals and Objectives

The goal of the Pediatric Pulmonary Sub-specialty Fellowship Program in Pediatrics is to “provide educational experiences in the diversified field of Pediatric Pulmonology in an intellectual environment conducive to learning the exemplary practice of Pediatric Pulmonology”. This is accomplished by providing an organized, progressive educational experience with increasing patient care responsibilities over a three year period in a setting that has a diverse patient population and a teaching staff with professional ability, enthusiasm, and a commitment to teaching. We strive to have an appropriate balance between structured educational activities including didactic lectures and clinical learning and patient care responsibilities. The teaching staff also serves as role models for the Pediatric Pulmonary sub-specialty fellow to develop his/her interpersonal skills and to participate in ethical decision making. Faculty and sub-specialty fellows are expected to display attitudes and behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to patients, their families, and the highest level of care. Working with the health care team, which includes Nursing, Social Service, Child Life, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Psychology, and Nutritional Service is emphasized. The curriculum of the Pediatric Pulmonary Sub-specialty Fellowship Program meets the guidelines of and is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education.


Clinical Experience

Our fellows gain unique clinical experience through working with our faculty in pulmonary subspecialty clinics including:


Research Experience

Our pediatric pulmonary division offers the fellows a great opportunity for research through collaborative work with basic as well as clinical and translational science researchers. Examples of ongoing collaborative research include:

  • AIM2ACT: A Mobile Health Tool to Facilitate Asthma Self-Management during Early Adolescence. NATL INST OF HLTH NHLBI.
  • Child Asthma Exacerbation: Role of Caregiver Risk Beliefs
  • ReACT: an Adaptive Mobile Health Intervention for Adolescent Asthma
  • Cystic Fibrosis research through the Therapeutic and Development Network (TDN); the current active study is the Vancomycin Inhalation Powder (AeroVanc) study.

About UF


About Gainesville

Gainesville is a university community located in North Central Florida midway between the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico. The area is known for its natural beauty with its stately live oaks and many springs, lakes, and rivers.


Program Contacts

For more information about our Fellowship Program, call (352) 273-9011.


Current Fellows


Additional Fellowship Information