Ashok Fulambarker, M.D., F.C.C.P.
Professor and Director, Division of Pulmonary Medicine

Dr. Ashok Fulambarker became the Director of the Division of Pulmonary Medicine in January 2000.

Dr. Fulambarker completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at the Chicago Medical School in 1978 and Fellowship in Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Chicago in June1980. He became a faculty in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine at the Chicago Medical School in July1980. He has spent most of his academic career at the Chicago Medical School. He is also the chief of Pulmonary Medicine at the VA Medical Center, North Chicago, Illinois. His research interests are in the area of acute exacerbation of COPD and Pulmonary Function and ethnicity. He is actively involved in the American Thoracic Society and is also Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians.

The objective of this program is:

1. To provide a subspecialty program in pulmonary disease organized to provide training and experience at a sufficient level for the fellow trainee to acquire competency as a specialist in pulmonary disease.
2. To provide clinical experience inpatient and outpatient setting with a wide variety of acute and chronic pulmonary diseases.
3. To provide training to acquire knowledge of and competency in pulmonary procedures, pulmonary physiology and it’s clinical applications, and interpretations of radiologic studies.
4. To provide an academic environment for trainees to learn research methodology and interpretation of data.

Standard Program Content:

The program meets the RRC and ABIM requirements for training in Pulmonary Disease. Rotations include Intensive Care Units, Consultations, Clinics, Sleep Laboratory and electives. Research training is adaptable to individual goals.

Specific Program Content:

Clinical Experience: This program provides environment and resources for fellows to acquire knowledge of and have clinical experience with a broad spectrum of pulmonary disease including but not limited to the following:

1. Obstructive lung diseases including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis.
2. Pulmonary malignancy – primary and metastic
3. Pulmonary infections, including tuberculous, fungal and those in the immunocompromised host, e.g., human immunodefiency virus related infections.
4. Diffuse interstitial lung disease.
5. Pulmonary vascular disease, including primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension and the vasculitis and the pulmonary hemorrhage syndromes.
6. Occupational and environment lung diseases.
7. Iatrogenic respiratory disease, including radiation, inhalation and trauma.
8. Pulmonary manifestations of systematic diseases, including collagen vascular diseases that are primary in other organs.
9. Respiratory failure, including the adult respiratory distress syndrome, acute and chronic respiratory drive disorders.
10. Disorders of the pleura and the mediastinum.
11. Genetic and development disorders of the respiratory system.
12. Sleep disorders.

Educational Conferences:

• Journal Club – Monthly
• Multidisciplinary Chest Case Conference – Biweekly
• Basic Science Conference – Monthly
• Chest Radiology Conference – Weekly
• CPC/M&M, Lung Pathology Conference – Monthly
• Research Conference – Monthly
• Board Review Conference - Biweekly