Fellows from three pulmonary and critical care training programs have earned a spot in the CHEST Challenge Championship. Get to know this year’s contestants before they battle it out for the Rosen Cup.
The live, Jeopardy!-style game show takes place on Tuesday, October 21, in the Arie Crown Theater at the Lakeside Center. Doors open at 5:00 pm for a reception, and the championship event begins at 6:00 pm.
“Come be part of the magic,” said CHEST Challenge founder and Master of Ceremonies William F. Kelly, MD, FCCP. “Your cheers, your energy, your support—they fuel these future leaders. Beyond the funnest, fastest, evidence-based pulmonary/critical care review you’ll ever experience, this year promises even more audience interaction, more thrilling fellow hands-on challenges, and more giveaways than ever before.”
Marshall University
Fellows, from left: Abdul Muhsen Z. Abdeen, MD; Zakaria Alagha, MD, MSc; and Saif Ghishan, MD
Program Director, not pictured: Yousef R. Shweihat, MD, FCCP
What’s your favorite study snack?
Dr. Abdeen: Espresso so strong it could resuscitate a hypoxic vent—and maybe a protein bar, if I’m feeling generous.
Dr. Alagha: Strong Turkish coffee—because nothing says “focus” like caffeine.
Dr. Ghishan: Protein bars.
What item would you put in a time capsule to commemorate your fellowship experience?
Dr. Abdeen: A pulse ox that survived three codes and one blizzard.
Dr. Alagha: My cracked stethoscope with a sticky note: “Survived codes, consults, and caffeine overdoses. Barely.”
Dr. Ghishan: My Ford Mustang. It came up in my residency graduation, relating it to me because it’s fast to act but fun to be around.
What’s an appropriate name and mascot for your team?
Dr. Abdeen: The Bronchi Bois. Mascot: Lil Mucus, a grinning cartoon plug that always clogs up the competition.
University at Buffalo
Fellows, from left: Jessica Baek, MD; Rishabh Bansal, MBBS; and Yu-Che Lee, MD, MPH
Program Director, not pictured: Gregory Fuhrer, MD
What’s your hidden talent or an after-hours hobby?
Dr. Baek: Playing the piano.
Dr. Bansal: I have a knack for mimicking friends and coworkers, which always brings some laughs after a busy day.
Dr. Lee: I enjoy playing badminton and tennis, going for a jog, and traveling whenever I get the chance.
What chest medicine topic are you passionate about?
Dr. Baek: Women in medicine; impact of biology and social construct of gender on lung, sleep health, and critical illness.
Dr. Bansal: Chest physiotherapy—often overlooked, but incredibly impactful when done right.
Dr. Lee: I’m passionate about the role of biologics in treating airway diseases. It’s an exciting and evolving area with great potential.
What’s an appropriate name and mascot for your team?
Dr. Lee: Buffalo Code Blues, powered by Victor E. Bull, charging through chest cases with brains, brawn, and a shot of caffeine.
University of Colorado
Fellows, from left: Jacquelyn Kercheval, MD; Christiaan Rees, MD, PhD; and James Wykowski, MD
Program Director, not pictured: Tristan J. Huie, MD, FCCP
What off-the-wall, nonmedical topic could you present a session on?
Dr. Kercheval: Currently, the US Women’s National Soccer Team. But I just planted a couple of garden boxes, so I’ll hopefully be able to do a session on backyard gardening in a year or so.
Dr. Rees: Living in Denver, I’ve become immersed in the brewery culture and could probably present an entire session relating to beer (both making and consuming).
Dr. Wykowski: Sourdough bread and the impact of altitude on baking.
Who would play you in a TV show about your fellowship?
Dr. Kercheval: I think it would be fun to be played by the cartoon character Kim Possible, with whom I share reddish hair and green eyes—and whose ability to remain calm in the face of emergencies is aspirational.
Dr. Rees: Based on appearance, former Doctor Who actor Matt Smith. Based on personality, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor Charlie Day.
Dr. Wykowski: Jake Fox, MD, MPH, co-fellow at the University of Colorado—that guy can do anything.
What’s an appropriate name and mascot for your team?
Dr. Kercheval: Denver Bronch-Os, with the mascot being an alveolus holding a bronchoscope as a hiking pole as it summits a mountain.
Whose bovine is best?
Vote for your favorite CHEST Challenge finalist team mascot—Marshall University’s Thundering Herd, University at Buffalo’s Bulls, or University of Colorado’s Buffaloes—and support your home team! Give just $5 to back your favorite mascot and support CHEST philanthropy. And tell your friends and colleagues at home to vote, too!
