About the Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship Program
Welcome to the Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship Program. VCU Medical Center is home to state’s largest and most comprehensive interventional pulmonology (IP) subspecialty service. The physicians who lead the center are among a very small group in Virginia who are board certified in Interventional Pulmonology, and together, with an outstanding staff and consulting physicians, provide the highest quality of care one can expect in the region.
This growing service uses advanced endoscopic techniques of both the airway and the pleural space for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Our experienced team, led by Wes Shepherd, M.D., works in close cooperation with other specialists at VCU Medical Center, to assure treatments are coordinated and communication with patients and referring physicians is clear.
- The broadest array of diagnostic and therapeutic options in one setting
- One of the highest procedure volumes of programs in the U.S.
- One of only a few programs in the U.S. with three fellowship trained interventional pulmonologists
- Uniquely tailored care plans for each patient
- Easily arranged outpatient referrals, inpatient admissions and transfers
- New patients seen within one week
- Research protocols for patients to consider
- Experienced physicians:
Wes Shepherd, MD, FCCP: Virginia’s first fellowship trained Interventional Pulmonologist
Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP: Interventional Pulmonary Fellowship Program Director
Torib Uchel, MD: Fellowship trained Interventional Pulmonologist
This year of training allows our graduates to enter the field prepared to manage a broad spectrum of diseases and their associated interventional pulmonary procedures. Our graduates are qualified to start or join an Interventional Pulmonology Program.
Welcome
Program Director: Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP, ATSF
Learn
Program Curriculum & Conferences
Curriculum:
Interventional Pulmonology fellows will rotate within inpatient and outpatient interventional pulmonary consults, and will spend elective time on thoracic surgery and research.
Conference |
Day/Time |
Frequency |
CORE FELLOWSHIP CONFERENCES |
||
Chest tumor board conference |
Mondays, 7:00 - 8:00 am |
Weekly |
IP fellow conference |
2nd Tuesday, 7:30 - 8:30 am |
Monthly |
IP fellow conference |
4th Tuesday, 7:30 - 8:30 am |
Monthly |
IP M&M conference |
3rd Tuesday, 7:30 - 8:30 am |
Quarterly |
IP/ Pulm research firm meeting |
Wednesday noon |
Bimonthly |
IP business meeting |
Tuesday 4:00- 5:00 pm |
Quarterly |
INSTITUTION-SPONSORED CONFERENCES |
||
Medicine grand rounds |
Thursdays at Noon |
Weekly |
Scholarship
Our recent publications, presentations and abstracts
- What Have We Learned About Transmission of Coronavirus Disease-2019: Implications for Pulmonary Function Testing and Pulmonary Procedures. Kaminsky DA, Noor Husnain SM, Khemasuwan D. Clinics in Chest Medicine. 2023 Jun;44(2):215-226. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2022.11.005.
- Right ventricle assessment in patients with pulmonary embolism at low risk for death based on clinical models: an individual patient data meta-analysis. Becattini C, Maraziti G, Vinson DR, Ng ACC, den Exter PL, Côté B, Vanni S, Doukky R, Khemasuwan D, Weekes AJ, Soares TH, Ozsu S, Polo Friz H, Erol S, Agnelli G, Jiménez D.Eur Heart J. 2021 Aug 31;42(33):3190-3199. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab329.PMID: 34179965
- Management of tracheo-oesophageal fistula in adults. Kim HS, Khemasuwan D, Diaz-Mendoza J, Mehta AC.Eur Respir Rev. 2020 Nov 5;29(158):200094. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0094-2020. Print 2020 Dec 31.PMID: 33153989
- Artificial intelligence in pulmonary medicine: computer vision, predictive model and COVID-19. Khemasuwan D, Sorensen JS, Colt HG.Eur Respir Rev. 2020 Oct 1;29(157):200181. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0181-2020. Print 2020 Sep 30.PMID: 33004526
- Role of Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration in the Diagnosis and Management of Mediastinal Cyst. Aravena C, Patel J, Goyal A, Jaber W, Khemasuwan D, Machuzak M, Cicenia J, Gildea T, Sethi S, Mehta AC, Almeida FA.J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2020 Apr;27(2):142-146. doi: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000640.PMID: 31855882
- Design and Implementation of a Peer-Reviewed Medical Education Video Competition: The Best of American Thoracic Society Video Lecture Series. Seam N, Richards JB, Kritek PA, Khemasuwan D, McCallister JW, Santhosh L, Prasad B, Bhargava S, Clay AS, Crotty Alexander LE.J Grad Med Educ. 2019 Oct;11(5):592-596. doi: 10.4300/JGME-D-19-00071.1.PMID: 31636831
- Predictive Variables for Failure in Administration of Intrapleural Tissue Plasminogen Activator/Deoxyribonuclease in Patients With Complicated Parapneumonic Effusions/Empyema. Khemasuwan D, Sorensen J, Griffin DC.Chest. 2018 Sep;154(3):550-556. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2018.01.037. Epub 2018 Feb 6.PMID: 29425674
- Diagnostic Yield and Safety of Bronchoscopist-directed Moderate Sedation With a Bolus Dose Administration of Propofol During Endobronchial Ultrasound Bronchoscopy. Khemasuwan D, Teerapuncharoen K, Griffin DC.J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2018 Jul;25(3):181-188. doi: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000462.PMID: 29346245
- Lung cancer screening: detected nodules, what next? Chen Y, Khemasuwan D, Simoff MJ.Lung Cancer Manag. 2016 Dec;5(4):173-184. doi: 10.2217/lmt-2016-0008. Epub 2017 Feb 6.PMID: 30643562 Free PMC article. Review.
- A Young Man with Acute Progressive Respiratory Distress and a Right Inguinal Mass. Abrencillo RA, Khemasuwan D, Diaz-Mendoza JI.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2016 Jun;13(6):970-5. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201511-763CC.PMID: 27295158
- Past, present, and future of endobronchial laser photoresection. Khemasuwan D, Mehta AC, Wang KP.J Thorac Dis. 2015 Dec;7(Suppl 4):S380-8. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2015.12.55.PMID: 26807285
- Response. Mehta AC, Khemasuwan D. Chest. 2015 Nov;148(5):e165. doi: 10.1378/chest.15-2047.PMID: 26527449
- Response. Küpeli E, Khemasuwan D.Chest. 2015 Jun;147(6):e235. doi: 10.1378/chest.15-0588.PMID: 26033145
- The Effect of Thrombolytic Use and Mechanical Ventilation on Echocardiographic Parameters of Survival after Acute Pulmonary Embolism. Khemasuwan D, Klein A, Tonelli AR.J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2015 Jul;28(7):846-7. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2015.04.018. Epub 2015 May 27.PMID: 26025728
- Common Congenital Anomalies of the Central Airways in Adults. Mehta AC, Thaniyavarn T, Ghobrial M, Khemasuwan D.Chest. 2015 Jul;148(1):274-287. doi: 10.1378/chest.14-1788.PMID: 25811532
- Response. Khemasuwan D, Farver CF, Mehta AC.Chest. 2015 Mar;147(3):e112. doi: 10.1378/chest.14-2855.PMID: 25732459
- "Pills" and the air passages: a continuum. Kupeli E, Khemasuwan D, Tunsupon P, Mehta AC.Chest. 2015 Jan;147(1):242-250. doi: 10.1378/chest.14-0531.PMID: 25560862
- Right ventricular echocardiographic parameters are associated with mortality after acute pulmonary embolism. Khemasuwan D, Yingchoncharoen T, Tunsupon P, Kusunose K, Moghekar A, Klein A, Tonelli AR.J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2015 Mar;28(3):355-62. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2014.11.012. Epub 2015 Jan 2.PMID: 25560482
- Complex metallic stent removal: decade after deployment. Khemasuwan D, Gildea TR, Machuzak MS.J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2014 Oct;21(4):358-60. doi: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000101.PMID: 25321459
- Trifurcation: an unusual variant of the left main stem bronchus. Khemasuwan D, Culver DA.J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2014 Jul;21(3):278-9. doi: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000086.PMID: 2499214
- Parasites of the air passages. Khemasuwan D, Farver CF, Mehta AC.Chest. 2014 Apr;145(4):883-895. doi: 10.1378/chest.13-2072.PMID: 24687710
- A foreign body of a different kind: Pill aspiration. Mehta AC, Khemasuwan D.Ann Thorac Med. 2014 Jan;9(1):1-2. doi: 10.4103/1817-1737.124404.PMID: 24551009
- Inhibition of renin angiotensin axis may be associated with reduced risk of developing venous thromboembolism in patients with atherosclerotic disease. Chae YK, Khemasuwan D, Dimou A, Neagu S, Chebrolu L, Gupta S, Carpio A, Kim J, Yun JH, Smyrlis A, Friedman A, Tester W.PLoS One. 2014 Jan 31;9(1):e87813. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087813. eCollection 2014.PMID: 24498202
- Black bronchoscopy. Tunsupon P, Panchabhai TS, Khemasuwan D, Mehta AC.Chest. 2013 Nov;144(5):1696-1706. doi: 10.1378/chest.13-0981.PMID: 24189863
- "Pills" and the air passages. Küpeli E, Khemasuwan D, Lee P, Mehta AC.Chest. 2013 Aug;144(2):651-660. doi: 10.1378/chest.13-0080.PMID: 23918109
- A review of augmentation therapy for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Mohanka M, Khemasuwan D, Stoller JK.Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2012 Jun;12(6):685-700. doi: 10.1517/14712598.2012.676638. Epub 2012 Apr 14.PMID: 22500781
- Novel oral anticoagulation in management of venous thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation, and acute coronary syndrome. Khemasuwan D, Suramaethakul N.Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2012 Sep;18(5):476-86. doi: 10.1177/1076029612438957. Epub 2012 Mar 2.PMID: 22387584
- Reduced risk of breast cancer recurrence in patients using ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and/or statins. Chae YK, Valsecchi ME, Kim J, Bianchi AL, Khemasuwan D, Desai A, Tester W.Cancer Invest. 2011 Nov;29(9):585-93. doi: 10.3109/07357907.2011.616252. Epub 2011 Sep 21.PMID: 21936625
- Dose-related effect of statins in venous thrombosis risk reduction. Khemasuwan D, Chae YK, Gupta S, Carpio A, Yun JH, Neagu S, Lucca AB, Valsecchi ME, Mora JI.Am J Med. 2011 Sep;124(9):852-9. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2011.04.019. Epub 2011 Jul 21.PMID: 21783169
- Statins decrease the occurrence of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer. Khemasuwan D, Divietro ML, Tangdhanakanond K, Pomerantz SC, Eiger G.Am J Med. 2010 Jan;123(1):60-5. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.05.025.PMID: 20102993
- Cost-benefit analysis of hepatitis a vaccination in Thailand. Teppakdee A, Tangwitoon A, Khemasuwan D, Tangdhanakanond K, Suramaethakul N, Sriratanaban J, Poovorawan Y.Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2002 Mar;33(1):118-27.PMID: 12118439
For a complete list of publications from Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP, please click here.
Wes Shepherd, MD, FCCP
- Criner GJ, Mallea JM, Abu-Hijleh M, Sachdeva A, Kalhan R, Hergott CA, Lazarus DR, Mularski RA, Calero K, Reed MF, Nsiah-Dosu S, Himes D, Kubo H, Kinsey CM, Majid A, Hogarth DK, Kaplan PV, Case AH, Makani SS, Chen TM, Delage A, Zgoda M, Shepherd RW. Sustained Clinical Benefits of Spiration Valve System in Patients with Severe Emphysema: 24-Month Follow-Up of EMPROVE. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2024 Feb;21(2):251-260. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202306-520OC.
- Sharma D, Kang L, Shepherd R. Effect of Bronchoscopic Spray Cryotherapy and Ultra-low Temperature on Physical Properties of Metallic and Silicone Airway Stents J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2022 Mar 29. PMID: 35353072 DOI: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000840
- Mahmood K, Wahidi MM, Shepherd RW, Argento AC, Yarmus LB, Lee H, Shojaee S, Berkowitz DM, Van Nostrand K, Lamb CR, Shofer SL, Gao J, Davoudi M. Variable Learning Curve of Basic Rigid Bronchoscopy in Trainees. Respiration. 2021 Apr 13:1-8. doi: 10.1159/000514627. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33849039
- Taylor TM, Radchenko C, Sanchez TM, Shepherd RW et al. The impact of thoracentesis on post procedure pulse oximetry. J Bronchol Intervent Pulmonol 2021 - epub DOI: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000747
- Javeryah Safi, Sarah W. Gordon, Peter Lee, Howard Li, Patrick Nana-Sinkam, Rachit D. Shah, Ray W. Shepherd, Samira Shojaee. Endothelial growth factor receptor-mutant lung cancer and post-operative care management: one size does not fit all. Ann Transl Med 2020;8(24):1697| http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-20-4408
- Criner GJ, Delage A, Voelker K, …Shepherd RW…et al. Improving Lung Function in Severe Heterogenous Emphysema with the Spiration® Valve System (EMPROVE): A Multicenter, Open-Label, Randomized, Controlled Trial AJRCCM. Published on 31-July-2019 as 10.1164/rccm.201902-0383OC
- Shepherd RW, Radchenko C. Bronchoscopic ablation techniques in the management of lung cancer. Ann Transl Med 2019. Doi10.21037/atm.2019.04.47
- Pathak V, Shepherd RW, Hussein E, and Malhotra R. Safety and feasibility of pleural cryobiopsy compared to forceps biopsy during semi-rigid pleuroscopy. Lung 2017, 195:371-375 PMID 28353119
- Reshko L, Shepherd RW and Weiss E. Long-Term Safety and Stability of Gold Coil Fiducial Markers in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Image-Guided Radiotherapy. Int J Radiol Radiat Ther 2017, 3(1) 00049. DOI: 10.15406/ijrrt.2017.03.00049
- Wahidi MM, Reddy C, Yarmus L, Feller-Kopman D, Musani A, Shepherd RW, Lee H, Bechara R, Lamb C, Shofer S, Mahmood K, Michaud G, Puchalski J, Rafeq S, Cattaneo SM, Mullon J, Leh S, Mayse M, Thomas SM, Peterson B, Light RW. Randomized Trial of Pleural Fluid Drainage Frequency in Patients with Malignant Pleural Effusions-The ASAP Trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016 Nov 29. [Epub ahead of print]
- Shepherd RW. Bronchoscopic pursuit of the peripheral pulmonary lesion: navigational bronchoscopy, radial endobronchial ultrasound, and ultrathin Bronchoscopy. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2016 May;22(3):257-64. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000273. PMID: 26974127
- Wahidi MM, Herth F, Yasufuku K, Shepherd RW, Yarmus L, Chawla M, Lamb C, Casey KR, Patel S, Silvestri GA, Feller-Kopman DJ. Technical Aspects of Endobronchial Ultrasound Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report. Chest. 2015 Sep 24. doi: 10.1378/chest.15-1216. [Epub ahead of print] PMID:26402427
For a complete list of publications from Wes Shepherd, MD, FCCP, please click here.
- Pulmonary complications of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Gupta K, Uchel T, Karamian G, Loschner A. Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2021;28:100439. doi: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100439. Epub 2021 Jul 23.
- Unusual Case of Plastic Bronchitis Presenting with Pneumopericardium. Uchel T, Labana S, Tancer S, Gonzalez V, Kapadia D, Kulairi Z, Kashlan M. Am J Case Rep. 2018 Dec 3;19:1434-1436. doi: 10.12659/AJCR.911311.
For a complete list of publications from Toribiong Uchel, MD, please click here.
Life During Fellowship
Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship Program
GME Resident & Fellow Well-Being
Graduate Medical Education training is not easy. With the GME Physician Well-being program, we first and foremost assert our commitment to your well-being, resilience and all aspects of a healthy lifestyle. VCU and VCUHealth are dedicated to ensuring that you have the tools you need to be your best. (Learn more)
All About VCU, VCUHealth, and RVA
First things first. We fondly refer to Richmond as RVA. People love this city because it’s awesome. And Virginia Commonwealth University is in the middle of it all. Learn more about VCU, VCUHealth, and RVA!
Program Leadership
Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship Program
Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP, ATSF
Program Director
Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP, ATSF
Program Director
Internal Medicine
Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine
Patrick Nana-Sinkam, MD
Division Chief
Patrick Nana-Sinkam, MD
Division Chief
Internal Medicine
Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine
Faculty
Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship Program
- Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP, ATSF - Program Director
- R. Wesley Shepherd, MD, FCCP - Director, Interventional Pulmonology
- Toribiong Uchel, MD
Non-Core Faculty
- Anthony Cassano, MD - Thoracic Surgery
- Evan R. Reiter, MD, FACS - ENT
- Mark Parker, MD, FACR - Thoracic Radiology
- Rachit D. Shah, MD - Thoracic Surgery
Fellows
Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship Program
Class of 2025
Medical School: Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras Facultad de Ciencias Medicas
Residency: Quinnipiac University/St. Vincent's Medical Center
Alumni
Class of 2024
Medical School: BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad, India
Residency: University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT
Class of 2023
Medical School: University of Balamand Medical School, Koura, Lebanon
Residency: Saint George Hospital Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon - Preliminary Internal Medicine
Class of 2022
Medical School: Civil Hospital , Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan (House officer, Medicine)
Residency: Rochester Regional Health (Unity Health System), University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY
Class of 2021
Medical School: Sui School of Medicine, Springfield, IL
Residency: Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
Class of 2020
Medical School: Sackler School of Medicine, New York, NY
Residency: Beilinson Hasharon-Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
Class of 2019
Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Program, Dallas, TX
Class of 2018
Christopher Radchenko, MD
Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine - Netherlands, Antilles
Residency: University of Missouri - Kansas City, MO
Fellowship: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Class of 2017
Deepankar Sharma, MD
Medical School: Maulana Azad Medical College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
Residency: Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins University/ Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Fellowship: Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine at Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC
Class of 2016
Peter Lee, MD
Medical School: St. George University School of Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Beth Isreal Medical Center, New York, NY
Fellowship: Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at Mount Sinai Beth Isreal Medical Center, New Yor, NY
Class of 2015
Vikas Pathak, MBBS
Medical School: Nepal Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal
Residency: Internal Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Jacobi), Bronx, NY
Fellowship: Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Class of 2014
Ehab Hussein, MD, PharmD
Medical School : Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH
Residency: Internal Medicine at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, OH
Fellowship: Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Class of 2013
Samira Shojaee, MD
Medical School : Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
Residency: Internal Medicine at Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, VA
Fellowship: Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH
Class of 2012
Ashutosh Sachdeva, MBBS
Medical School: Maulana Azad Medical College, University of Dehli, New Delhi, India
Residency: Internal Medicine at Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India; Internal Medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Fellowship: Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine at St. John Hospital Medical Center, Detroit, MI; Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Class of 2010
Rajiv Malhotra, DO, MS
Medical School: TOURO University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Vellejo, CA
Residency: Internal Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Fellowship: Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Apply
Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship Program
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the Interventional and Advanced Diagnostic Pulmonology Fellowship must be graduates of an ACGME-accredited Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowship program.
Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems can only support J-1 visas.
Required Documentation
- Application
- Curriculum Vitae
- USMLE score reports
- Medical school transcripts
- A personal statement
- 4 letters of recommendation, including one from your program director
- A photograph
If applicable, please provide the following:
- ECFMG certificate
- Medical School Diploma (with translation if necessary)
How To Apply
The Interventional Pulmonology fellowship is a participant in the NRMP match and follows their deadlines for the Subspecialty matching service. Applicants should use the Interventional Pulmonary Fellowship Application System (IPFAS) available at http://aippd.org
Application Timeline
The program will be accepting applications starting July 15th and will continue to review and accept applications through November 1. Invitations to interview will likely be issued during this time frame.
Interview Information
Interview days typically begin around 8 a.m. with breakfast and a program overview. From there, the day consists of interviews, a tour of the MCV hospital and campus, and lunch. We will wrap up by about 2:30 p.m. with a question and answer session with the program director.
Attention: In support of our applicants, we will be flexible in providing virtual and on-site fellowship interview opportunities. We understand that applicants may have restrictions on travel during this time. Our interview schedule may change as we approach the late summer and fall.
Contacts
Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship Program
Program Director
Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP, ATSF
Email: danai.khemasuwan@vcuhealth.org
Fellowship Coordinator
Ashley Montoute
VCU School of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine
Box 980509
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0509
Phone: (804) 828-5674
Fax: (804) 828-4926
Email: imfellowships@vcuhealth.org
For training verification requests, please visit us at https://intmed.vcu.edu/education/verification/