Pittsburgh Training Grant in Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine

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 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal seeks to establish a Training Grant in Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh. Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine is one of the youngest pediatric subspecialties (first board exam offered in 1986). The specialty focuses on respiratory diseases, the most common cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations among children in the United States (U.S.). Approximately 1,091 board-certified pediatric pulmonologists (or only ~4.4% of the 24,732 board- certified pediatric subspecialists in 2013) serve this large population of children. Few pediatric pulmonologists have had research mentors or academic role models with a strong track record of excellence in research. In spite of a well-recognized need to train more pediatric pulmonologists, especially physician-scientists, there are currently only three T32 training grants in Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine in the U.S. The Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, with substantial and sustained institutional support, has endeavored to create a center of excellence offering comprehensive, state- of-the-art clinical care, educational programs, and competitive research involving clinical, translational, and basic sciences. One of our central missions is to educate a new generation of academic pediatric pulmonologists who can play a leading role in the specialty as physician scientists. The goal of this proposal is to provide a prime source of well-trained M.D. academic pediatric pulmonologists and Ph.D. scientists to conduct cutting-edge research in the pediatric pulmonary diseases. To achieve this mission, we seek to provide, within a single center, the research role models, mentorship, and rich environment necessary for nurturing such individuals and ensuring their success.