Baylor University Medical Center Program

The Transplant Hepatology Fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center, which is a part of Baylor Scott & White Health in Dallas, Texas, is a comprehensive one-year ACGME approved program. This fellowship is specifically focused on providing fellows with extensive clinical exposure to a significant and diverse population of patients with general and transplant hepatology conditions. Established as one of the pioneering adult transplant centers in the United States, the program has successfully performed nearly 5,000 liver transplants since its inception in 1984, averaging around 150 transplants annually, with about 10 percent being living donor liver transplants. The fellowship prepares participants to meet all board-eligibility requirements in transplant hepatology as established by the ABIM.

Accepted fellows have the option to choose between a clinical training tract or a research/quality improvement tract, with two fellows being accepted per year. The curriculum of the fellowship is robust and includes rotations that offer hands-on experience in general hepatology, as well as pre- and post-liver transplant care. A comprehensive review of the curriculum reveals a variety of exposure types:

• Inpatient service
• Outpatient clinics
• Transplant hepatology service
• Hepatobiliary malignancy service

Education is further enhanced through formal rounds and clinical rotations, supplemented with weekly transplant conferences, monthly journal clubs, pathology conferences twice a month, didactic sessions, and tumor board conferences twice a month. Fellows engage in ongoing learning opportunities that contribute to their professional development. Over the last two years, the hepatology and liver transplantation group has produced approximately 150 peer-reviewed papers, highlighting the active participation of fellows in academic research.

The research component of the fellowship is significant, providing fellows with ample opportunities to partake in clinical studies, including retrospective, prospective, qualitative, quantitative, and multicenter studies. Currently, there are 75 physician-initiated ongoing studies and 28 industry or NIH-funded studies available for fellows. Rotations in both inpatient and outpatient settings expose fellows to a range of liver pathologies, fostering partnerships with multiple faculty members. Experiences include working within an interdisciplinary hepatobiliary clinic that involves collaboration with surgery, oncology, and interventional radiology specialists to manage cases of benign and malignant liver lesions.

Fellows are directly involved in assessing candidates for liver transplantation. Participation in weekly liver transplant selection committee meetings provides exposure to the collaborative decision-making process that involves transplant surgeons, hepatologists, and various support staff members. This program allows fellows to gain experience managing post-transplant patients in both inpatient and outpatient environments, with particular emphasis on immunosuppression and complications management.

Additionally, the program features an active living donor program, allowing fellows to work on the workup of potential donors and participate in care management for patients receiving living donor liver transplants, including the complexities that arise in this patient group.

Application Requirements

Candidates for the fellowship must be current fellows or have completed three years of ACGME-accredited gastroenterology fellowship training prior to commencing the Transplant Hepatology Fellowship. Applications are accepted through the AASLD Transplant Hepatology Application System. Application timeframes and interview schedules are provided to prospective candidates.

Visa Sponsorship

The program offers visa support for international medical graduates (IMGs). Visa types sponsored include the J-1 visa typically used for medical residency programs. Support for the visa process is provided to ensure fellows can complete their training successfully.

Competitiveness and Special Application Criteria

The program is competitive and known for being friendly to candidates from diverse backgrounds, including DO/IMG applicants. While specific thresholds such as year of graduation or maximum failed STEP exams are not explicitly mentioned, candidates are expected to demonstrate strong qualifications and evidence of relevant training.

Benefits and Life in Dallas

Fellows receive competitive stipends along with a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as flexible spending accounts and retirement savings plans. Life in Dallas boasts a low cost of living compared to other major U.S. cities, with a vibrant culture and numerous entertainment options spanning sports, dining, and outdoor activities.