Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship

Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and College of Human Medicine Michigan State University logos

Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital (part of Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals) is the only free-standing children’s hospital in West Michigan. In partnership with Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, we are proud to offer an ACGME-accredited pediatric pulmonology fellowship. Our comprehensive three-year program trains physician-leaders who will incorporate cutting edge research and technology into their practice, to help kids breath better.

Our program, your future

Our program aim is to train clinical scholars with a strong emphasis on: mastery of the knowledge base, excellence in patient care, acquiring skills in teaching and mentoring, procedural expertise and clinical research.

Our fellowship trains physicians to assume a leadership role in the field of pediatric pulmonology. During the three years, extensive inpatient and outpatient clinical experience (approximately 15 months, concentrated mostly in the first year) will be combined with world-class training in research, teaching, quality improvement and safety (approximately 18 months), culminating in qualifying for American Board of Pediatrics eligibility in pediatric pulmonology.

Our fellows will develop expertise in caring for a wide range of children with pediatric pulmonary diseases and conditions, ensuring that even a “straight-forward” case is considered from multiple angles and a thorough differential diagnosis developed. The children we serve include (but are not limited to) those with:

Asthma (mild to severe; we work collaboratively with our Allergy Specialists on biologics when indicated)

Chronic lung disease

Ciliopathies

Congenital pulmonary malformations

Cystic fibrosis (we are a CF Foundation Accredited Center)

Chronic respiratory failure and home mechanical ventilation

Interstitial lung diseases

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Neuromuscular diseases

Sleep disorders

Our fellows learn collaboratively in our variety of multi-disciplinary clinics. Additionally, special electives are available with our ENT, allergy, PICU, NICU, and palliative care colleagues.

Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy: Our fellows spend extensive time learning flexible bronchoscopy technique, both in simulations as well as in the bronchoscopy suite, thus ensuring proficiency by the time they complete training. Most of our bronchoscopies are done in collaboration with ENT and GI as part of our busy aerodigestive program.

Overhead view of Medical Mile in Grand Rapids

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As the second largest city in Michigan, Grand Rapids is an amazing place to work, live, play, and explore.

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of Helen Devos Children's Hospital

West Michigan - A Great Place to Call Home

As the second largest city in Michigan, Grand Rapids is an amazing place to work, live, play, and explore.

Racism is a Public Health Crisis

We pledge to take on the challenge to eliminate racism and its impacts on health, hope, and lives, both within our organization and in the communities we serve.

Virtual Tour...

of Helen Devos Children's Hospital

Our program aim is to train clinical scholars with a strong emphasis on: mastery of the knowledge base, excellence in patient care, acquiring skills in teaching and mentoring, procedural expertise and clinical research.

Our fellowship trains physicians to assume a leadership role in the field of pediatric pulmonology. During the three years, extensive inpatient and outpatient clinical experience (approximately 15 months, concentrated mostly in the first year) will be combined with world-class training in research, teaching, quality improvement and safety (approximately 18 months), culminating in qualifying for American Board of Pediatrics eligibility in pediatric pulmonology.

Our fellows will develop expertise in caring for a wide range of children with pediatric pulmonary diseases and conditions, ensuring that even a “straight-forward” case is considered from multiple angles and a thorough differential diagnosis developed. The children we serve include (but are not limited to) those with:

Asthma (mild to severe; we work collaboratively with our Allergy Specialists on biologics when indicated)

Chronic lung disease

Ciliopathies

Congenital pulmonary malformations

Cystic fibrosis (we are a CF Foundation Accredited Center)

Chronic respiratory failure and home mechanical ventilation

Interstitial lung diseases

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Neuromuscular diseases

Sleep disorders

Our fellows learn collaboratively in our variety of multi-disciplinary clinics. Additionally, special electives are available with our ENT, allergy, PICU, NICU, and palliative care colleagues.

Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy: Our fellows spend extensive time learning flexible bronchoscopy technique, both in simulations as well as in the bronchoscopy suite, thus ensuring proficiency by the time they complete training. Most of our bronchoscopies are done in collaboration with ENT and GI as part of our busy aerodigestive program.

West Michigan - A Great Place to Call Home

As the second largest city in Michigan, Grand Rapids is an amazing place to work, live, play, and explore.

Racism is a Public Health Crisis

We pledge to take on the challenge to eliminate racism and its impacts on health, hope, and lives, both within our organization and in the communities we serve.

Virtual Tour...

of Helen Devos Children's Hospital

West Michigan - A Great Place to Call Home

As the second largest city in Michigan, Grand Rapids is an amazing place to work, live, play, and explore.

Racism is a Public Health Crisis

We pledge to take on the challenge to eliminate racism and its impacts on health, hope, and lives, both within our organization and in the communities we serve.

Virtual Tour...

of Helen Devos Children's Hospital

Graduates of our fellowship program will be experts and leaders in the field of pediatric pulmonology, expected to guide the field in terms of care we provide and the clinical questions we study. Therefore, fellows will spend most of their time (approximately 18 months) involved in world-class training in research, teaching, quality improvement and safety. Fellows will be guided in their scholarly pursuit based upon their interests and available expertise at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and Michigan State University, which includes basic and clinical/biomedical research, medical education and outcomes research.

Some of the research interests currently being pursued by our pediatric pulmonary faculty include:

Johanna Zea-Hernandez, MD: Interstitial lung disease, primary ciliary dyskinesia, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation quality improvement initiatives
Susan Millard, MD: Cystic fibrosis - check out a recent publication about genomics and cystic fibrosis
Robert Schoumacher, MD: Children who require chronic mechanical ventilation, insomnia and narcolepsy management
John Schuen, MD: Cystic fibrosis and the care of children with sleep disorders, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation quality improvement initiatives

Applications to the Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital/Michigan State University Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship are accepted exclusively through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). All applicants must possess U.S. work authorization or be eligible for J-1 status. Applicants must have completed three years of United States postgraduate residency training in an ACGME or RCPSC-accredited program before entry into the fellowship program.

Please contact Jeffrey Denhof, program coordinator, with any questions.

Spectrum Health provides a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package for our residents, staff and their families. In addition, our program provides educational monies to support your ongoing education. Download our salary and benefits document to learn more.

From the Program Director

Hello:

Thank you for visiting our web page! Our Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital/Michigan State University Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship has many exciting endeavors to offer. We love teaching, research, quality improvement, and "helping kids breathe and sleep better." Helen DeVos Children's Hospital has several fellowships and a strong pediatric residency program. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is our academic partner and provides excellent basic science and translational research opportunities right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. If clinical research is your passion, we have a large team dedicated to research at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. For those who are interested in medical research, that career path is also an option through our strong partnerships with the medical school and residency training program.

Our clinical program is busy, vibrant, and creative. We strive to use technology and telemedicine in several ways to help patients and improve access to care. We maintain strong relationships with our primary care and subspecialty partners. Even though fellowship can be a whirlwind, our faculty members strive to make the well-being of our fellows a top priority. Training future physicians is an honor and I hope you consider an interview. We can't wait to meet you!

Sincerely ,Susie

Susan Millard, MD, FAAP, FCCPProgram DirectorCorewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital/Michigan State UniversitySection of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Helen DeVos Children’s HospitalAssociate Professor of Pediatrics, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Our shared commitments

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Resident and Fellow DEI

Learn more about our promise to foster and advance inclusion and diversity.

Resident and Fellow Wellness

Learn more about our commitment to the holistic wellness of our residents and fellows.

Viewing lab results through a microscope

Scholarly Activity Support

Clinical research is paramount in the discovery of new treatments, therapies, and medicine.

Resident and Fellow DEI

Learn more about our promise to foster and advance inclusion and diversity.

Resident and Fellow Wellness

Learn more about our commitment to the holistic wellness of our residents and fellows.

Scholarly Activity Support

Clinical research is paramount in the discovery of new treatments, therapies, and medicine.

Resident and Fellow DEI

Learn more about our promise to foster and advance inclusion and diversity.

Resident and Fellow Wellness

Learn more about our commitment to the holistic wellness of our residents and fellows.

Scholarly Activity Support

Clinical research is paramount in the discovery of new treatments, therapies, and medicine.

Resident and Fellow DEI

Learn more about our promise to foster and advance inclusion and diversity.

Resident and Fellow Wellness

Learn more about our commitment to the holistic wellness of our residents and fellows.

Scholarly Activity Support

Clinical research is paramount in the discovery of new treatments, therapies, and medicine.

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Resources

Identities matter and so do you! Our residency and fellowship programs offer social activities, wellness programs, and a diversity council to foster respect, personal health, and community.

Program Director

Susan Millard, MD

Pediatric pulmonologist

Fellowship: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Residency: University of Michigan Hospitals & Health Center

Susan Millard, MD

Pediatric pulmonologist

Fellowship: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Residency: University of Michigan Hospitals & Health Center

Susan Millard, MD

Pediatric pulmonologist

Fellowship: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Residency: University of Michigan Hospitals & Health Center

Susan Millard, MD

Pediatric pulmonologist

Fellowship: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Residency: University of Michigan Hospitals & Health Center