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 from the Program Director

Welcome from the Program Director

Welcome from the Program Director

As the Fellowship Director, I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to all aspiring interventional pulmonologists. Our fellowship program, based in a dynamic and supportive clinical environment, is dedicated to advancing your career in the specialized field of interventional pulmonology.

Our program stands out for its emphasis on both the variety and volume of procedures that fellows will experience and master. We are committed to providing a comprehensive training experience that encompasses the full spectrum of interventional pulmonology procedures.  From advanced diagnostic techniques such as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and robotic bronchoscopy, to therapeutic interventions including airway stenting, ablation technique and pleuroscopy. Our fellows are exposed to a wide array of procedures. This diverse training ensures that our graduates are well-equipped to handle the complexities and challenges of the field.

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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

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!

Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP, ATSF

Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP, ATSF

Program Director

Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP, ATSF

Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP, ATSF

Program Director

Internal Medicine

Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine

Email: danai.khemasuwan@vcuhealth.org

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View Faculty Expertise Profile

Patrick Nana-Sinkam, MD

Patrick Nana-Sinkam, MD

Division Chief

Patrick Nana-Sinkam, MD

Patrick Nana-Sinkam, MD

Division Chief

Internal Medicine

Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine

Email: patrick.nana-sinkam@vcuhealth.org

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View Faculty Expertise Profile

Non-Core Faculty

Class of 2025

Dr. Arnaldo

Arnaldo Rodriguez Rivera, MD 
Medical School:  Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras Facultad de Ciencias Medicas
Residency:  Quinnipiac University/St. Vincent's Medical Center
Fellowship: Albert Einstein Medical Center - Pulmonary Diseases & Critical Care Medicine

Alumni

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. 

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/