It’s time to meet our competing finalists for CHEST Challenge at CHEST 2019! Fellows from many training programs took part in an online game earlier this year. The top three teams will play a Jeopardy!-style format live game show at the CHEST Annual Meeting.

This year, the championship will take place Tuesday at 8:00 pm at the Sheraton – Armstrong Ballroom. Stick around to celebrate during the after party!

The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Team Name: The Ohio State University

Team Members:
Elie Homsy, MD; 
Rachel Quaney, MD; Ryan Story, MD

Program Director: 

Jennifer McCallister, MD, FCCP

How did you prepare for this year’s CHEST Challenge finals? How many hours did you spend studying? 

This is Ohio State—we’re busy preparing for football season.

Who do you think is your biggest competitor? 

Ourselves.

If you could choose a team mascot, what would it be?

Spider pig dressed in Brutus Buckeye’s costume.

If you could choose a team uniform, what would it be? 

Scrubs with a fleece vest.

What is your team cheer or theme song? Why? 

“Take My Breath Away” by Berlin…because we’re all about the lungs.

If you win, how will you celebrate?

Show New Orleans how to party!

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland

Team Name: PEEP of 3

Team Members:
Jeannette Collins, MD; Ian Grasso, MD; Arthur Holtzclaw, MD

Program Director: Aaron Holley, MD, FCCP

How did you prepare for this year’s CHEST Challenge finals?

After completing all the military training to include cyber awareness, hot and cold weather training, and learning the difference between a slip and a fall, we feel prepared for pretty much anything. Ian also prepared by changing the bedtime story time for his kids to reading CHEST SEEK™ questions.

Who do you think is your biggest competitor?

It is clearly “THE” Ohio State University. Since they have filed a patent for the word “the,” we are not sure how to answer any questions in [removed due to trademark] competition. It’s a clever move for which we have no response.

If you could choose a team mascot, what would it be?

Our team mascot would be the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog from Monty Python. We may look very cute and friendly, but we “have a vicious streak a mile wide!”

If you could choose a team uniform, what would it be? 

Spacesuits in honor of Col. Morgan, who is currently serving on the ISS as the first army doctor in space.

What is your team cheer or theme song? Why? 

“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift—just like the 2018-2019 Toronto Raptors, we have put together our 1-year dream team, and then we will all go our own respective ways next year after winning the championship.

If you win, how will you celebrate?

Definitely take the fellowship out for celebratory drinks in New Orleans!

Maimonides Medical Center,Brooklyn, New York

Team Name: The Rapid Wean Team

Team Members: Ankur Sinha, MD; Sushilkumar Satish Gupta, MD; and Vignesh Ponnusamy, MD

Program Directors: Stephan Kamholz, MD; Yizhak Kupfer, MD

How did you prepare for this year’s CHEST Challenge finals? 

We studied CHEST SEEK™ questions and organized mean pop quizzes—the meaner the better, three to four sessions a week.

Who do you think is your biggest competitor?

Our biggest competitors are our co-fellows back home.

If you could choose a team mascot, what would it be?

“Scopy,” the friendly flexible bronchoscope.

If you could choose a team uniform, what would it be? 

Generic navy blue scrubs…we accept donations for FIGS. Bitcoin works, as well.

What is your team cheer or theme song? Why? 

“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.

If you win, how will you celebrate?

With our signature night out—starting in Brooklyn and ending in Queens.