Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has launched its first Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) Fellowship, marking a new step in advanced medical education for pediatric intensivists. The fellowship is designed to train specialists in extracorporeal technologies, with a primary focus on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). ECMO is a sophisticated life support system used for children facing severe respiratory or cardiac failure when other treatments have not succeeded. The technology is highly specialized and most often available at academic medical centers.
In addition to ECMO, the program exposes fellows to other ECLS modalities such as dialysis, plasmapheresis, and ventricular assist devices. As use of these technologies grows, the fellowship aims to equip intensivists with advanced skills to improve patient care and foster leadership within the field.
According to CHOP, its ECLS fellowship joins only a handful of similar training programs worldwide. It aligns with the hospital’s ongoing mission to lead in medical education. The program was established following a request for proposals seeking innovative training initiatives. CHOP’s ECMO program operates as a large-volume center and has been recognized as an Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Platinum Center of Excellence since 2017.
The inaugural fellow, Dr. Hera Mahmood, completed her year-long training in July 2025. She will be succeeded by Dr. Erika Pineda starting August 2025. The fellowship is directed by Drs. Marissa A. Brunetti and Adam Himebauch from CHOP’s Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine.
Reflecting on her experience, Dr. Mahmood stated:
“My time as the ECLS Fellow at CHOP has been an incredibly rich and transformative experience. At the start of the year, I expected to develop proficiency in managing patients on ECMO, but my experience went far beyond that. I became part of a collaborative, deeply experienced team that values curiosity, precision, and progress. Whether at the bedside managing high-risk ECMO patients or in interdisciplinary meetings working to refine protocols and improve outcomes, I was constantly challenged to think critically, lead with intention, and innovate in real time.”
She continued:
“One of the most rewarding aspects of the fellowship was the opportunity to care for a broad and varied patient population, spanning from neonates to young adults. The clinical cases encompassed a wide range of complex pathologies, including congenital and acquired cardiac conditions as well as severe respiratory failure. This diversity deepened my understanding of the multifaceted challenges involved in managing extracorporeal support across different ages and physiological conditions. I also had the opportunity to develop a systems-based understanding of how a large, high-volume ECMO program functions. In addition, I contributed to initiatives aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and team communication. The mentorship I received throughout the year was exceptional and shaped how I see myself as a clinician, educator, and future leader in the field.”
Dr. Mahmood concluded:
“As I transition into my new role as a PICU attending at CHOP, I carry with me a deep commitment to advancing excellence in extracorporeal support. I am excited to continue contributing to the ECLS program from the attending side, mentoring future fellows, supporting innovation, and remaining actively engaged in a program that has shaped me both personally and professionally.”
