Respiratory diseases in children are a major health problem in the United States today, causing more disability and use of medical services than any other group of diseases. In the South, there are insufficient numbers of health care workers. In addition, a shortage exists of health care workers who are equipped with the skills and attributes necessary to affect changes that will more fully meet the needs of children with chronic diseases. To meet this need for leadership training, the UAB PPC provides graduate level training for nurses, nutritionists, social workers, respiratory care practitioners and other allied health professionals and post-doctoral training for pediatric pulmonary fellows.
Training focuses on the development of a strong sense of leadership and leadership skills.
Trainees complete discipline-specific courses in their respective graduate programs outside the PPC and also complete a required PPC core curriculum consisting of didactic classes and required practicum. The didactic classes, which are taught by the PPC faculty and guest lecturers, are sequential and offered during the fall, winter, and spring quarters. The pediatric pulmonary fellow's required core curriculum consists of didactic classes and a practicum. As part of their leadership training, the PPC long-term trainees are assigned individual and team special projects and may also participate in field trips throughout the training year. Children from throughout the state and southeastern region come to Children's Hospital for treatment.