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

Samira Shojaee, MD, MPH, FCCP: Interventional Pulmonary Fellowship Director, Fellowship

trained Interventional Pulmonologist

Peter Lee, MD, MHS, FCCP: Fellowship trained Interventional Pulmonologist

Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP: Interventional Pulmonary Associate Program Director, Fellowship

Tammy Foster, RN; Interventional Pulmonology Nurse Navigator

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.

Curriculum:
Interventional Pulmonology fellows will rotate within inpatient and outpatient interventional pulmonary consults, and will spend elective time on thoracic surgery and research.

GME Resident & Fellow Well-Being
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All About VCU, VCUHealth, and RVA
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• Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP, ATSF
• Peter Lee, MD, MHS, FCCP
• R. Wesley Shepherd, MD, FCCP - Director, Interventional Pulmonology
• Samira Shojaee, MD, MPH, FCCP - Fellowship Program Director

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

Eligibility Requirements

The applicant should be an MD or MD equivalent (DO) with three or more years of Internal Medicine residency training in an ACGME-accredited training program. A pass on USMLE Step 3 is a mandatory prerequisite for acceptance as a fellow.

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.  We appreciate your patience and understanding; we will absolutely work to accommodate all applicants as best possible during the COVID pandemic.

Program Director

Samira Shojaee, MD
Email: samira.shojaee@vcuhealth.org

Associate Program Director

Danai Khemasuwan, MD, MBA, FCCP, ATSF 
Email: danai.khemasuwan@vcuhealth.org

Fellowship Coordinator

Stuart Bowden, MHRM
VCU School of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine
Box 980509
Richmond, VA 23298-0509 
Phone: (804) 828-3510
Email: imfellowships@vcuhealth.org