About the Program

The fellowship program in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center offers broad training. It provides clinical, endoscopic and research training modified to meet the individual goals and interests of the trainee. Fellows will be board eligible for ABIM certification in Gastroenterology upon satisfactory completion of the three-year training program.

The fellowship program is structured to provide ample training in both clinical and basic research as well as clinical gastroenterology, hepatology and endoscopic procedures. Upon completion of the program, post-doctoral fellows have sufficient background and training to pursue an academic career or a career in clinical practice.

This program is fully accredited by the ACGME for a complement of fifteen fellows in a 5-5-5 configuration. Our fellowship program is committed to establishing mentoring relationships that seek to benefit both the faculty member and the trainee. Through a careful pairing process, trainees will select and collaborate with a designated mentor to gain knowledge, skills and attitudes that are essential for future success. Ongoing assessment by the program director will include confidential reviews of the mentoring relationship to ensure optimal results.

Download Gastroenterology Fellowship Program Overview

Program Requirements

The program requirements are similar for all fellows. Each trainee receives at least 18 months of clinical training in:
  • General gastroenterology, including hepatology
  • Clinical nutrition
  • Gastrointestinal oncology

Hepatology comprises approximately 30 percent of this experience. Fellows achieve consultative experience on the inpatient gastroenterology and hepatobiliary consultative services. They receive outpatient consultative experience in the Gastroenterology Clinic and Endoscopy Center. Ongoing ambulatory clinical experience provides training in the longitudinal management of gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders.

Basic and Clinical Research 

The additional 18 months of training may be individualized to meet the interests and goals of the trainee. The trainees are expected to have a strong research background. Trainees may spend up to 12 consecutive months in the basic research setting. Alternatively, trainees may elect a clinical research experience. Trainees are expected to prepare their research findings for presentation at a national meeting and publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The division director and program directors approve trainees’ schedules and grant credit upon satisfactory completion of specified rotations.

Curriculum

PGY4 

The first year of gastroenterology and hepatology training is entirely clinically based. Major emphasis is placed on the development of basic endoscopic skills as well as furthering one’s knowledge of sub-specialty gastroenterology and hepatology.

Required rotations include luminal as well as hepatobiliary consults, inpatient endoscopy (EOD) and OSU East (endoscopy and consultative medicine). Liver biopsies are also performed as part of the hepatobiliary consult rotation.

Attendance at weekly case conferences as well as didactic lectures will be mandatory. A special introductory lecture series is offered the first six weeks of the academic year. Attendance at these lectures is mandatory for PGY4 trainees.

PGY5

The second year of gastroenterology and hepatology training is an opportunity to further advance endoscopic skills and approach to consultative medicine. A required research block is also part of the second year training curriculum in which the trainee will devote four consecutive months to a predetermined research project. It is the expectation that this work will lead to an abstract presentation at a national meeting and be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

In addition to the consult services, EOD and OSU East, PGY5 trainees participate in the gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition clinic rotation. This rotation encompasses the sub-specialty knowledge of our faculty in their hospital clinics. As the senior fellow on inpatient endoscopy, the second year trainee serves as the chief for this service.

Second year trainees work to enhance their therapeutic skills in hemostasis, advanced polypectomy and esophageal dilation, while actively teaching new fellows basic endoscopic skills. As the team leader of the consult service, PGY5 trainees are responsible for teaching as well as demonstrating high level clinical skills. Attendance at weekly case conferences as well as didactic lectures will be mandatory.

PGY6

The final year of gastroenterology and hepatology training provides more freedom to hone one’s skills depending on particular career interests. A total of four months of elective time can be used at the trainee’s discretion. Electives such as biliary endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, hepatology inpatient ward service, gastrointestinal motility, capsule endoscopy and additional research time are available. Biliary and EUS electives require pre-approval from participating faculty. The third year trainees also participate in the consult services, EOD and gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition clinic rotations. Whether on the endoscopic or consultative rotations, the third year trainee is seen as the team leader responsible for teaching as well as demonstrating high level clinical skills.

Attendance at weekly case conferences as well as didactic lectures will be mandatory.

Application Process

Eligibility Criteria
  • MD or DO
  • US citizenship, permanent resident or J1 Visa status
  • Completion of three years of U.S. postgraduate residency training in an ACGME-accredited program by the time of entry into the fellowship program

Candidate Selection

Applications are reviewed after all supporting documents have been received. Applicants must have completed an ACGME-approved residency program in internal medicine prior to beginning the gastroenterology fellowship program. Completed applications are reviewed by the Fellowship Education Committee.

Candidate Interviews

Based on qualifications and reference letters, selected candidates are invited for an interview. Candidates are notified via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) when they are invited to interview. Interviews will be conducted in September and October. During interview sessions, the candidate meets with gastroenterology faculty, including the program director and the division director. A tour of The Ohio State University Endoscopy Center is provided. An optional dinner the night before interview can be scheduled with fellow representatives to learn more about the program.

All faculty interviewers evaluate candidates. After interviews have been completed, applicants are ranked by the Fellowship Selection Committee. Applicant ranking is based on multiple factors, some of which include academic credentials, aptitude, preparedness, motivation and communication skills.

The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition does not discriminate with regard to gender, race, age, religion, ethnicity, national origin or disability.

Applying

Application to our ACGME-accredited gastroenterology fellowship program is done via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Paper applications will not be reviewed. All positions in the gastroenterology program are filled through the NRMP match.

Applications Must Include:

  • A complete CV
  • Personal statement
  • Three letters of reference
  • USMLE board score reports
  • A recent photograph (optional)
Apply now

Fellowship Program Coordinator
Casey Suich
Casey.Suich@osumc.edu

 

General Competencies

The six general competency areas that fellows will continue to grow in during their fellowship time include patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism and systems-based practice. 

Meet the Program Director