The future of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine will step into the spotlight during the CHEST Challenge Championship at CHEST 2024.
Fellows representing pulmonary and critical care training programs around the country will compete in the annual Jeopardy!-style quiz show on Tuesday, October 8. More than a simple trivia competition, the CHEST Challenge Championship is an “edutainment” extravaganza, mixing peer-reviewed educational content with entertaining surprises and audience participation. For 23 years, the event has introduced its fun, intelligent, and hardworking contestants to the wider CHEST community and vice versa.
“We treat our fellows—these colleagues in training for pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine—like the celebrities they deserve to be,” said CHEST Challenge Founder and Master of Ceremonies, William F. Kelly, MD, FCCP. “Participants in this event remain engaged in CHEST forever. What stands out to me is seeing how they go on to have such impressive clinical, teaching, and leadership roles—both at their home institutions and within CHEST.”
Teams from Allegheny Health Network, HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, and NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital advanced through this year’s highly competitive, nationwide qualifying process. They’ll be looking to take home cash prizes and the prestigious CHEST Challenge Championship trophy, the Rosen Cup—named in the memory of former host and CHEST Past President, Mark J. Rosen, MD, Master FCCP.
Doors open at 7:30 pm ET on Tuesday in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center Ballroom. Dr. Kelly and CHEST’s Training and Transitions Committee will kick off the festivities at 8 pm ET. All CHEST 2024 attendees are invited to take part in what will be an unforgettable evening.
“You are guaranteed to learn something new and see some hands-on physical skills challenges that you have never seen before,” Dr. Kelly said. “I also can’t stress enough how, by coming, you are a central part of the show—sometimes literally. And, always, the kindness and support the audience gives the fellows and the high level of energy and engagement make the night magical for all those involved.”
Before they take the stage, get to know the stars of the show in their own words.
Allegheny Health Network
Program Director: Tiffany DuMont, DO
Fellows: Tanya C. Marshall, MD; Sujith Modugula, DO; Dhaval Patel, MD
Who or what has inspired you in your journey in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine?
Dr. Marshall: Having undergone medical training at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, I did not have any exposure to critical care medicine and only limited exposure to pulmonology prior to residency. As luck would have it, my internal medicine residency started with a rotation of ICU nights when I was fortunate to meet Dr. Sanjiv Tewari. He would soon become my mentor and inspiration on my journey to pulmonology and critical care fellowship. He had a special interest in interventional pulmonology and spent much time with me in the bronchoscopy suite, where I fell in love with interventional pulmonology. In my second year of residency, I took an elective rotation at the Cleveland Clinic, where I was fortunate to meet and acquire the mentorship of his own mentors, Drs. Atul Mehta, Serpil Erzurum, and Francisco Almeida, all of whom I continue to be grateful to for the contributions they have made to my career. It would have never been possible without them.
Dr. Modugula: Pulmonology and critical care medicine has captured my interest since childhood, particularly since I was hospitalized frequently for severe asthma exacerbations.
Dr. Patel: Clinical rotations during residency exposed me to a vast ocean of knowledge that I didn’t possess and learned to embrace. Little did I know I would fall in love with this specialty in my first month of residency.
What topics are you most interested in at CHEST 2024?
Dr. Marshall: I’m interested in learning whatever the topic may be; however, ultimately, my interest is in interventional pulmonology.
Dr. Modugula: As virtual reality becomes more prevalent, I hope to learn more about how to incorporate medical education into virtual reality experiences.
Dr. Patel: In today’s day and age where artificial intelligence (AI) has taken over the world, I would like to learn more about how AI is being used and can be used in the advancement of medicine.
What are you looking forward to seeing or doing while in Boston?
Dr. Marshall: I’m looking forward most to meeting new people and the experience of seeing Boston for the first time.
Dr. Modugula: As a huge fan of interactive and immersive art, I cannot wait to check out the WNDR Museum.
Dr. Patel: This will be my first time in Boston, so I am looking to explore as much as I can.
What have you been watching or listening to during breaks from studies and fellowship responsibilities?
Dr. Marshall: I enjoy watching tennis grand slams. Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz are 2 of the players I favor the most.
Dr. Modugula: I’m currently listening to audiobooks from Mitch Albom, like The Five People You Meet in Heaven.
Dr. Patel: I have started to listen to podcasts from white coat investors on how to invest smartly.
What activity or hobby do you enjoy that might surprise your teammates or program director?
Dr. Marshall: Slamming dominoes on the beach with nice music in the background, food, and drinks is my No. 1 hobby of all time.
Dr. Modugula: I play the violin and am currently learning how to play the piano.
Dr. Patel: I like farming, and one day I would like to own my own farm.
What’s your dream meal to celebrate a CHEST Challenge victory?
Dr. Marshall: Giovanni’s Pizza and Pasta in Pittsburgh—our fellowship special.
Dr. Modugula: A big bowl of Hyderabadi dum chicken biryani.
Dr. Patel: A good Indian buffet.
HCA Florida Aventura Hospital
Program Director: Mauricio Danckers, MD, FCCP
Fellows: Manjot Malhi, MD; Rafael Miret, DO; Tanner Norris, MD
Who or what has inspired you in your journey in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine?
Dr. Malhi: My journey in pulmonary and critical care medicine has been inspired by the dedication and resilience of my patients, whose courage in the face of chronic and life-threatening conditions continually motivates me to seek better treatments and care strategies. The mentorship of esteemed colleagues who exemplify clinical excellence and compassionate care has profoundly shaped my approach and commitment to the field.
Dr. Miret: One of my early mentors, Dr. Raiko Diaz, inspired me to pursue a career in pulmonary and critical care medicine during my residency years. I was lucky enough to work with him as a resident and now as a fellow, and I continue to learn from him on a daily basis.
Dr. Norris: Drs. Dionne Morgan and Mary Laird. Both are incredibly knowledgeable doctors who somehow seem to know every last detail about every patient, a standard to which I try to hold myself every day.
What topics are you most interested in at CHEST 2024?
Dr. Malhi: Topics that interest me the most are pulmonary arterial hypertension and interstitial lung disease (ILD).
Dr. Miret: I’m looking forward to attending sessions about pulmonary hypertension and ILD.
Dr. Norris: I’m very interested to check out some of the simulation sessions, especially on advanced echocardiography and airway management.
What are you looking forward to seeing or doing while in Boston?
Dr. Malhi: Outside of the conference in Boston, I plan to explore the city’s historical landmarks, visit the renowned museums, and enjoy the vibrant culinary scene.
Dr. Miret: As a sport fan, I would love to visit Fenway Park and the Boston Garden.
Dr. Norris: I love history, so I’m very excited to check out some historical landmarks and museums.
What have you been watching or listening to during breaks from studies and fellowship responsibilities?
Dr. Malhi: My current go-to show is House of the Dragon on HBO.
Dr. Miret: I closely follow the Spanish soccer league and Real Madrid.
Dr. Norris: Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History podcast.
What activity or hobby do you enjoy that might surprise your teammates or program director?
Dr. Malhi: With a toddler, a newborn, and the demands of a fellowship, my preferred activity at the moment is catching up on sleep.
Dr. Miret: I enjoy cooking desserts, especially crème brûleé.
Dr. Norris: They already know this about me, but I love salsa dancing.
What’s your dream meal to celebrate a CHEST Challenge victory?
Dr. Malhi: Being from Buffalo, NY, my dream meal would be a platter of chicken wings from Duff’s, served with blue cheese—not ranch.
Dr. Miret: When in Boston, we have to celebrate with clam chowder and anything with lobster in it.
Dr. Norris: Endless meat at a Brazilian steakhouse.
NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
Program Director: Anthony Saleh, MD
Fellows: Benjamin Berson, MD; Maxim Kashin, MD; Nourhan Kika, MD
Who or what has inspired you in your journey in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine?
Dr. Berson: Helping care for the sickest patients during the COVID-19 pandemic motivated me to pursue pulmonary and critical care medicine (PCCM). The bravery and skill of the critical care faculty during the darkest times inspired me, and I am proud to have them as my mentors and peers. I would also never have made it to this point without the love and support of my wife and family.
Dr. Kashin: My specific interest in pulmonary and critical care started during med school when a clerical error had me stay on the respiratory general medical floor for my internal medicine clerkship. I was in awe of the PCCM attendings, and my interest flourished even more during my intern year. The COVID-19 pandemic really secured my desire to become a PCCM specialist.
Dr. Kika: My attendings at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital have inspired me throughout my residency and encouraged me to pursue this training. My patients have always been my greatest teachers.
What topics are you most interested in at CHEST 2024?
Dr. Berson: Advances in robotic bronchoscopy and the cutting-edge research in ILD.
Dr. Kashin: I’m interested in learning about advances in robotic bronchoscopies and novel pulmonary hypertension medications.
Dr. Kika: I’m interested to learn more about ILD and transplant medicine.
What are you looking forward to seeing or doing while in Boston?
Dr. Berson: I’m looking forward to visiting my alma mater, Brandeis University, and revisiting my favorite spots in Boston—the Back Bay and the Boston Public Garden, to name a few.
Dr. Kashin: I’m from Massachusetts, so going back to my hometown to see family and friends.
Dr. Kika: I’m looking forward to going to the Boston Public Garden.
What have you been watching or listening to during breaks from studies and fellowship responsibilities?
Dr. Berson: I’ve been catching all of the international soccer games—the Euros and Copa América—gearing up for the World Cup in 2026!
Dr. Kashin: Ms. Rachel (with my 2 kids), UEFA European Championship, and the Boston Celtics winning the NBA championship.
Dr. Kika: I have been listening to Kygo.
What activity or hobby do you enjoy that might surprise your teammates or program director?
Dr. Berson: I have picked up running as a hobby, and I will be running the New York Marathon this November.
Dr. Kashin: I enjoy making my own hot sauces, and I enjoy playing the guitar.
Dr. Kika: Squash.
What’s your dream meal to celebrate a CHEST Challenge victory?
Dr. Berson: An authentic Italian dinner from the North End, followed by a chocolate chip cannoli from Mike’s Pastry.
Dr. Kashin: Russian dumpling soup.
Dr. Kika: My dream meal would be any kind of Thai food.
Join us at CHEST 2024
Connect in person with influential clinicians from around the world—and attend top-tier educational sessions focusing on the most relevant clinical topics. CHEST 2024 will have it all, including optional add-on sessions to customize your learning. Reserve your spot today, and save $100 when you register by September 22.