Welcome letter

Welcome to our PCCM program. We are genuinely thrilled that you are considering us for your training. 

Our program was built on a rare and intentional balance. You will care for a broad and complex patient population, gaining exposure to both high-acuity critical illness and the full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient pulmonary medicine. You will work alongside a deeply dedicated group of faculty who care about teaching, scholarship and, just as importantly, about you as developing physicians. The clinical volume and diversity of pathology here allow not only for excellent hands-on training but also for meaningful clinical research and academic growth.

We take pride in being equally strong in critical care and pulmonary medicine. Whether you find your passion at the bedside in the ICU, in outpatient pulmonary care, in education, research or procedural medicine, we are committed to helping you find and shape your own path. Fellows in our program pursue careers as clinician-educators and advanced subspecialists, including interventional pulmonology and sleep medicine. We remain flexible and creative in building elective opportunities to help you achieve those goals.

Equally important is our culture. We are a diverse, supportive division where people are encouraged and expected to help one another grow. We believe the best training happens in an environment that is rigorous but humane, ambitious but collegial. Our goal is to push you to become the best version of yourself while ensuring you feel supported along the way.

There are several unique strengths to our program: outstanding bronchoscopy and procedural opportunities, a thoughtfully designed schedule that prioritizes both excellent training and work-life balance, a dedicated curriculum focused on teaching you how to teach the next generation, and exceptional support in our outpatient clinics that allows you to focus on learning and patient care, among others.

Most of all, you are joining a community. We are excited to learn from you, to work alongside you and to watch you grow over the coming years. We are truly honored to be part of your journey and look forward to everything we will accomplish together.

Andres Zirlinger, MD (he/his/him), Fellowship Director, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health