ROGER WILLIAMS MEDICAL CENTER FELLOWSHIP IN PULMONARY DISEASES

An accredited Pulmonary Fellowship has existed at RWMC since the late 1970’s.

Candidates for the fellowship will have completed an ACGME accredited 3 year categorical internship and residency program in internal medicine and must pass all parts of their USLME exam. A minimum of 3 letters of recommendation must be submitted. These will hopefully attest to the robust clinical judgement, academic rigor, moral fiber, and sense of social responsibility we look for in an applicant.

Accreditation

The program is officially accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and satisfies the requirements for training as specified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Certification

You will be eligible to take the American Board of Internal Medicine subspecialty examination in pulmonary medicine upon completion of the fellowship.

Program Director’s Message

Welcome to the Pulmonary Disease Fellowship Program. Our mission is to train compassionate, knowledgeable, and skilled pulmonologists who are committed to delivering outstanding patient care.

Our fellowship offers comprehensive clinical training, close faculty mentorship, and a collaborative learning environment. Fellows gain broad experience in the diagnosis and management of a wide range of pulmonary diseases while developing the confidence and clinical judgment needed for independent practice.

We are proud of our supportive culture and our commitment to helping each fellow achieve their individual career goals. Thank you for your interest in our program. We invite you to explore our website and learn more about what makes our fellowship a rewarding place to train.

Faculty

Rabih El-Bizri, MD

Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship Program Director
Critical Care, Pulmonary Medicine
Education: Faculty of Medical Sciences at the Lebanese University in Lebanon
Residency: Internal medicine residency at Staten Island University Hospital in New York
Fellowships: Pulmonary/Critical Care fellowship at Rhode Island Hospital/Brown Universit
Biography: Dr. El-Bizri practices medicine at Roger Williams Medical Center and is a member of CharterCARE Medical Associates. He is the director of the bronchoscopy unit at Roger Williams. 
He has special interest in interventional pulmonology. He performs advanced bronchoscopic procedures.

Abd A. Abdelrahman, MD

Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship Associate Program Director
Critical Care, Pulmonary Medicine
Education:  University of Jordan
Residency:  Internal medicine residency at Creighton University, Omaha NE
Fellowships:  Pulmonary/Critical Care fellowship at Tufts University, Boston, MA
Advanced Bronchoscopy fellowship at BIDMC, Harvard. Boston, MA
Biography:  Abd Abdelrahman, MD, is board certified in internal medicine with a specialty in pulmonary medicine. He completed his fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Tufts Medical Center and advanced bronchoscopy fellowship and EBUS training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. He is interested in seeing patients with lung nodules, patient with chronic shortness of breath and chronic respiratory failure due to neuromuscular disease including muscular dystrophy and ALS.

Dimitra Skiada, MD

Critical Care, Infectious Diseases
Education:  National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
Residency:  Internal medicine residency St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center Brighton, MA
Fellowships:  Research Fellowship Keck Medicine of USC Los Angeles, CA
Infectious Disease Fellowship University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami, FL
Critical Care fellowship Baystate Health Springfield, MA
Biography:  Dr. Skiada’s clinical interests include the management of complex infectious diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, and infection prevention. She has a particular interest in caring for critically ill patients in the intensive care unit, with a focus on severe infections, sepsis, and multidrug-resistant organisms. Dr. Skiada is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care and to training the next generation of physicians.

Leandro Ramirez, MD

Critical Care, Pulmonary medicine
Education:  Universidad Iberoamericana in the Dominican Republic
Master’s in healthcare administration at Walden University Minneapolis, MN
Residency: Roger Williams Medical Center Providence, RI
Fellowships: Pulmonary Fellowship Roger Williams Medical Center Providence, RI
Critical Care fellowship at Tufts University, Boston, MA
Biography:  Dr. Ramirez completed a fellowship in Critical Care at Tufts Medical Center and a Pulmonary Medicine fellowship at Roger Williams Medical Center, where he also completed his residency in Internal Medicine. He has served as a Hospitalist at Newport Hospital/Brown University Health and at Landmark Medical Center, and previously worked as Associate Director of Health Information Management at NYC Health & Hospitals Lincoln. A graduate of Universidad Iberoamericana in the Dominican Republic, Dr. Ramirez also earned a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Walden University. Fluent in Spanish, he is committed to advancing healthcare equity and providing culturally responsive care to diverse patient populations. His clinical interests include advanced bronchoscopy, point‑of‑care ultrasound, and other procedural interventions that enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. He is deeply passionate about medical education and mentoring future physicians, with a particular focus on teaching evidence‑based, patient‑centered pulmonary and critical care medicine.

Archana Pattupara, MD

Critical Care, Pulmonary medicine
Education:  All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Residency: Mount Sinai Health System New York, NY
Fellowships: Pulmonary & Critical Care fellowship Mount Sinai Health System New York, NY
Biography:  Dr. Pattupara is a board-certified Pulmonary and Critical care physician with a special interest in interstitial lung disease, advanced asthma and COPD and critical care medicine. She is dedicated to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care to patients with complex pulmonary diseases. Dr. Pattupara is also passionate about resident and fellow medical education, particularly using simulation-based learning.

Application Process

We seek candidates who demonstrate clinical excellence, a commitment to patient-centered care, and a drive for lifelong learning.

How to Apply

We exclusively use the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) for all fellowship applications. We do not accept paper or emailed applications.

To be considered for an interview, please submit the following through your ERAS portal:

• Completed ERAS Application
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Personal Statement (detailing your interest in the subspecialty and long-term career goals)
• Three Letters of Recommendation (including one from your Residency Program Director)
• USMLE or COMLEX Transcripts
• Medical School Transcript
• MSPE (Dean’s Letter)
• Current Photo

Eligibility Requirements

• Completion of an ACGME-accredited residency program in Internal Medicine by the start of the fellowship.
• Board eligibility or certification.
• We accept J-1 visas sponsored by ECFMG.

The Match

Our programs participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Specialties Matching Service. All applicants must register with the NRMP to participate in the Match.

Timeline

• Applications Open: July 1, 2026
• Interview Season: September - October
• Rank List Deadline: November 18, 2026
• Match Day: December 2, 2026

Location

Roger Williams Medical Center (RWMC) is located Providence, the "Creative Capital"; a city that blends the sophistication of a major urban center with the friendly, small-town atmosphere of New England. As a Fellow at you will find yourself in a city renowned for its culinary excellence, vibrant arts scene, and historic charm.

Lifestyle & Culture

Providence is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each offering unique cultural and social experiences.

• Providence offers everything from authentic Italian in Federal Hill to trendy bistros in the East Side.
• Arts and entertainment activities are close by with world-famous WaterFire installations downtown, Broadway shows at the Providence Performing Arts Center, or explore the RISD Museum.
• Outdoor pursuits abound with over 400 acres of green space at Roger Williams Park, home to a nationally recognized zoo, or bike the scenic East Bay Bike Path.

Housing

Providence or nearby communities like North Providence, Cranston, and East Providence provide many options. Some within walking distance RWMC.

Transportation & Commuting

• Providence is a compact, navigable city with multiple transit options. Most trainees find a car practical for navigating the region, with RWMC offering on-site parking.
• The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) provides extensive bus coverage throughout the city and state.
• Providence Station offers Amtrak and MBTA Commuter Rail service, making Boston only a 35–50 minute train ride away.
• Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in nearby Warwick is just 10 minutes from the city, offers easy access for domestic and international travel.

Contact Information

Dr. Rabih El-Bizri
Program Director
rabih.elbizri@CharterCARE.org

Chris Samek
Program Coordinator
csamek@CharterCARE.org

The program can be reached at
Phone: (401) 456-2502
Fax: (401) 456-2016
Inquiries can be sent to:
csamek@CharterCARE.org

Address: Roger Williams Medical Center
Department of Medicine
Pulmonary Division
825 Chalkstone Ave.
Providence, RI 02908