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Current Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellows

Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Class of 2027

63614-Dhillon, Vijaypal

Vijaypal S. Dhillon, MBBS

PGY 5
Government Medical College Amritsar

Hometown: Queens, NY 

Medical School: Government Medical College, Amritsar

Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine/Ball Memorial Program

About Me: Hey! I’m Vijay. I was born in Queens, New York, and have lived in several places across the U.S. and around the world. Clinically, I’m especially passionate about pulmonary medicine, particularly ILD, lung cancer, and bronchoscopy. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring new restaurants with my wife, baking, and staying active at the gym. Most importantly, I love spending time with my wife and son, whether we’re out on adventures or just enjoying the little everyday moments together. 

Why IU PCCM Fellowship? Indianapolis was an easy choice because of its central location and Indiana University’s outstanding clinical training. The program offers excellent exposure to pulmonary subspecialties and advanced bronchoscopy training, both of which were important to me. I also value the opportunity to train across both academic and community settings, helping me develop confidence in caring for a diverse patient population. Outside of medicine, Indianapolis offers great sports, restaurants, and cultural attractions, along with family-friendly destinations such as Newfields and the Children's Museum.

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67903-Kooken, Banks

Banks W. Kooken, MD

PGY 6
University Of North Carolina School Of Medicine

Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC 

Undergraduate: Appalachian State University

Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Residency: Carolinas Medical Center

About Me: I am interested in all aspects of pulmonary and critical care medicine at this point in my training and enjoy gaining exposure to a wide variety of clinical experiences while focusing on medical education. I have a wonderful wife and son, and we enjoy taking advantage of everything Indianapolis has to offer, especially the Indianapolis Zoo, the Children's Museum, and Newfields. We are also slowly making our way through Indy’s food scene and exploring the Midwest, as we were both born and raised in the South.

Why IU PCCM Fellowship? Indiana University's PCCM Fellowship Program gives you an incredibly broad education, with phenomenal exposure to all things pulmonary and critical care. The mentorship and community here has been nothing short of exceptional, welcoming my family and I with open arms. The medical education community at Indiana University in particular is vibrant and motivated to continue to build future educators. My wife is also in medicine, and the University has been incredibly supportive of both of us as we pursue fellowship in busy fields.

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50215-Johnson, Sean

Sean C. Johnson, MD

PGY 6
Brody School Of Medicine At East Carolina University

Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC

Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Medical School: Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University

Residency: Indiana University

About Me: I am training for a future career in pulmonary and critical care medicine, with a particular interest in pulmonary hypertension. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our Goldendoodle. Over the past six years, we have enjoyed exploring Indianapolis and have come to love our home in Fountain Square. This vibrant downtown neighborhood offers walkable restaurants, local shops, and dog-friendly spaces. In my free time, I enjoy recreational sports and staying active through exercise.

Why IU PCCM Fellowship? I chose the Indiana University Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship because I knew I would receive well-rounded clinical training while also having the opportunity to explore my research interests. Indiana University provides an ideal balance of academic rigor and clinical autonomy, allowing fellows to develop independent decision-making skills in a challenging and rewarding environment. The research community is highly supportive while also offering the flexibility for each fellow to pursue a path that aligns with their individual professional and career goals.

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48002-Wajid, Maryiam

Maryiam Wajid, MBBS

PGY 5
Aga Khan University

Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan

Medical School: Aga Khan University

Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine

About Me: My clinical and research interests focus on interstitial lung diseases. In my free time, I enjoy reading nonfiction and spending time outdoors with my husband and our almost two-year-old son.

Why IU PCCM Fellowship? The Indiana University PCCM faculty were among the best teachers I encountered during residency, which made staying at IU an easy decision. The program is incredibly supportive of fellows, not only professionally but also through the flexibility it provides for important life events. One of the greatest strengths of the fellowship is the ability to tailor the training experience to individual career goals, making fellowship feel both intentional and enriching. Indianapolis is also a wonderful city with plenty to do. One of my favorite aspects of living here is the availability of great housing options without a long commute to the hospital. The Canal area is highly walkable and offers convenient access to groceries, parks, bakeries, and excellent coffee shops.

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50216-Parker, Connor

Connor P. Parker, MD

PGY 6
University Of Iowa RJ & L Carver College Of Med

Hometown: Colfax, Iowa

Undergraduate: University of Iowa

Medical School: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Residency: Indiana University Med-Peds

About Me: I am an Iowa native (Go Hawks!) who moved to Indiana for residency and stayed for fellowship training. My clinical interests include bronchiectasis, pulmonary infections, and all things critical care. Outside of work, you can find me golfing, working on my home gym, or watching Ms. Rachel with my daughter.

Why IU PCCM Fellowship? I learned early in residency that the pulmonary and critical care program at Indiana University was special. The fellows and faculty were welcoming, enjoyable to work with, and exceptional teachers in both the ICU and outpatient settings. Their mentorship showed me that Indiana University offers world-class clinical training and research opportunities in a collaborative and supportive environment. Choosing to stay for fellowship was an easy decision, and I have thoroughly enjoyed continuing my training in Indianapolis.

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Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Class of 2028

63556-Alhadid, Wesam

Wesam F. Alhadid, MD

PGY 4
The Hashemite University

Hometown: Richmond, VA

Medical School: The Hashemite University

Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine - Muncie

About Me: I am interested in all aspects of pulmonary and critical care, with a growing interest in interventional pulmonary. I enjoy clinical education and bedside teaching. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my family, going on walks, and hiking.

Why IU PCCM Fellowship? I chose Indiana University after rotating here as a visiting resident and experiencing a genuinely supportive culture where faculty are invested in your growth and well being. The diverse clinical exposure across multiple hospitals offers broad pathology and prepares you for any practice setting or career path.

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70009-Follman, Ben

Ben D. Follman, MD

PGY 5
University Of Illinois College Of Medicine

Hometown: Oak Park, IL

Undergraduate: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Medical School: University of Illinois Chicago

Residency: Loyola University Medical Center

About Me: My primary academic interests are ICU outcomes, lung transplant, pulmonary hypertension, and medical education.

Why IU PCCM Fellowship? It is a large transplant referral center with a wide encatchment for quarternary care

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70010-Foti, Joseph

Joseph A. Foti, DO

PGY 4
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

Undergraduate: University of Nevada Las Vegas

Medical School: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency: Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis

About Me: My clinical interests include pulmonary hypertension, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and medical education. In my free time, I enjoy exercising, playing basketball, and challenging friends with sports trivia. I'm also a coffee enthusiast, amateur mixologist, and appreciate any opportunity to share a laugh through a good joke.

Why IU PCCM Fellowship? The culture is what drew me to Indiana University. While the word is often overused, it genuinely defines this program. The faculty are deeply invested in both fellow education and patient care, creating an environment that is supportive, collaborative, and rewarding. Beyond the program itself, Indianapolis offers a low cost of living, a growing food scene, professional sports, and an excellent place to raise a family.

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23904-Fraser, Amy

Amy L. Fraser, MD, MS

PGY 4
Indiana University School of Medicine

Hometown: Nicasio, CA

Undergraduate: Humboldt State University

Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine

Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine

About Me: Outside of work I spend most of my time with my family. I have 2 daughters. I like to garden, hike, and go camping. I also like video games, and crafts like needle felting and embroidery.

Why IU PCCM Fellowship? I chose Indiana University because the program offers exposure to a diverse patient population and training across a variety of clinical settings. This provides a unique opportunity to learn from different care environments while building a strong foundation in pulmonary and critical care medicine. I also enjoy living in Indianapolis, which combines the attractions of a larger city with the comfort and convenience of a smaller community.

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70011-Lindgren, Aleks

Aleks L. Lindgren, MD

PGY 4

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley

Medical School: University of Queensland - Ochsner

Residency: University of Nevada, Reno

About Me: Critical care medicine, sleep, traveling, hiking, and the National Park System.

Why IU PCCM Fellowship? I chose and continue to value this program for its broad exposure to all the PCCM subspecialties and for the people.

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70012-McCreary, Dylan

Dylan L. McCreary, MD

PGY 5
University of Minnesota Medical School

Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

Undergraduate: College of Wooster

Medical School: University of Minnesota

Residency: University of Arizona Phoenix

About Me: Getting outside biking, rock climbing, golfing, hiking with my wife and dog.

Why IU PCCM Fellowship? I chose this program because of the quality of clinical training combined with the breadth of mentorship opportunities. I am specifically interested in medical education and we have an amazing group of medical educators who are national leaders in the field. They do a great job of connecting you with the opportunities needed to set you up for success after fellowship.

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63651-Salazar Luna, Luis

Luis R. Salazar Luna, MD

PGY 4
Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala

Hometown: Guatemala City, GT & Shelbyville, IN

Undergraduate: Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala

Medical School: Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala

Residency: IUSM - Ball Memorial Hospital

About Me: When I'm not in the ICU or in pulmonary clinic, I enjoy spending time with my beautiful family, doing Ironman triathlons, and watching bicycle races.

Why IU PCCM Fellowship?  I enjoy caring for critically ill patients in the ICU and seeing them improve throughout their hospitalization. I also value the opportunity to diagnose and manage complex pulmonary diseases in the clinic and consult settings.

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