Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Program

The Transplant Hepatology Fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is an advanced one-year training program designed for physicians seeking specialized education in the diagnosis and management of a wide array of acute and chronic liver diseases. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and primarily focuses on enhancing skills pertinent to both pre-liver transplant and post-liver transplant care. Successful graduates of the fellowship will be qualified to operate independently as transplant hepatologists and are eligible for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Transplant Hepatology Certification Exam, thereby establishing them as qualified professionals in this niche area of medicine 1.

The program aims to cultivate future clinical and academic leaders in the fields of liver transplantation and hepatology, thereby contributing to advancements in patient care and medical research.

Training & Curriculum

The fellowship encompasses a comprehensive curriculum aimed at imparting extensive knowledge and practical experience in the domain of transplant hepatology. Fellows will gain insights into managing both acute and chronic liver diseases, dealing with complications arising from advanced liver disease, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, and providing critical care for patients facing decompensated cirrhosis or acute liver failure. The curriculum also emphasizes the practical aspects of performing endoscopic procedures and interpreting liver biopsies 4.

Rotations

During the course of the fellowship, there are several key rotations designed to provide maximal exposure and hands-on experience:

• Inpatient/Liver Transplant Rotation: Fellows will dedicate six months to inpatient liver consultations, managing both pre- and post-transplant patients and general hepatology consultations under the supervision of an attending hepatologist and two hepatology nurse practitioners. This structure is designed to ensure fellows' learning without the burden of overnight in-hospital duties, allowing for an average of one day off every seven days.
• Outpatient Clinic: An additional six months involve outpatient responsibilities where fellows participate in various clinic activities including continuity clinics, pretransplant, and posttransplant clinics, as well as endoscopic and liver biopsy clinics. These outpatient services will also be supervised by an attending hepatologist, ensuring educational integrity.
• Research: Fellows will be given protected time to engage in research activities during their outpatient rotations, with direct mentorship from experienced researchers in the field. This enables fellows to work on meaningful research projects, culminating in accepted abstracts for national and international conferences and the submission of manuscripts for publication.

To enhance educational outcomes further, the program incorporates various conferences and didactic lectures that cover core topics in transplant hepatology 4.

Application Information

Application to the Transplant Hepatology Fellowship is managed through the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). Detailed information about application procedures is available through AASLD's resources. It is pertinent for prospective fellows to be aware of specific application requirements that could include prior completion of certain training years and performance criteria in the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) 2.

Faculty

The leadership and faculty constituents of the fellowship are composed of esteemed professionals with notable expertise in liver transplantation and hepatology. The program's faculty members are well-regarded in their specialties, providing fellows with a rich opportunity for guidance, mentorship, and collaborative learning experiences 3.

Visa Support

The Transplant Hepatology Fellowship program offers visa support for international medical graduates, specifically sponsoring J-1 visas. This provision is pivotal for attracting competent candidates from diverse educational backgrounds who wish to pursue this specialized area of medicine.

Competitiveness

The program is known to be highly competitive, making it imperative for applicants to demonstrate exemplary academic performance and clinical experience. However, the program is also supportive of candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those holding DO degrees and International Medical Graduates (IMGs), enhancing its inclusivity in the selection process.