Emory University School of Medicine Program

The Emory University School of Medicine's Transplant Hepatology Fellowship offers comprehensive training in both clinical and research aspects of hepatology. This one-year fellowship is accredited by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and is designed to equip graduates with the necessary skills to evaluate and manage liver transplant candidates and recipients throughout the peri-operative and post-transplant phases. Upon completing the fellowship, graduates will have expertise in caring for patients with various acute and chronic liver diseases, as well as managing complications associated with portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, fellows will qualify for UNOS certification as transplant hepatologists and will be eligible for the ABIM Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in transplant hepatology.

Program Structure

The fellowship comprises an integrated curriculum of inpatient and outpatient rotations alongside research opportunities. The structure includes 12 months of alternating inpatient transplant service and outpatient liver clinic time, supplemented by three weeks of vacation throughout the year. In detail:

Inpatient Rotations

Fellows will spend six months on the inpatient liver transplant service, where they will manage 5-15 pre- and post-liver transplant patients, including those in the intensive care unit. Fellows will work within a collaborative team that includes transplant surgeons, hepatologists, gastroenterology fellows, advanced practice providers, and various clinical support roles. This rotation will also allow fellows to participate in teaching gastroenterology fellows and residents while performing endoscopic procedures.

Outpatient Rotations

In the outpatient setting, fellows will engage in eight four-hour clinic sessions weekly, divided between general hepatology and liver transplant clinics. Responsibilities include seeing new consults and follow-up patients across a range of liver diseases. Fellows will be tasked with developing and communicating diagnostic and treatment plans to patients, ensuring effective coordination with referring physicians.

Research Opportunities

Research is a fundamental component of the fellowship experience. Fellows are expected to engage in clinical and translational research, aiming for at least one publication or presentation at a national meeting. Research mentorship will be provided by faculty members to guide fellows through the research process, from conception to execution.

Conferences and Education

Fellows are required to attend various liver-related professional conferences, enhancing their educational experience. These include:

• Weekly hepatology and liver transplant pathology conferences
• Weekly liver transplant radiology conferences
• Weekly transplant selection committee conferences
• Grand Rounds
• Monthly hepatology journal clubs
• Quarterly morbidity and mortality conferences

Throughout the fellowship, fellows will also participate in a minimum of four educational lectures, further solidifying their teaching abilities.

Visas and Competitiveness

The Emory Transplant Hepatology Fellowship program sponsors J-1 visas, which are appropriate for international medical graduates looking to pursue advanced training in the United States. The program is considered highly competitive, welcoming applicants from various backgrounds, including MD and DO graduates, as well as international medical graduates (IMGs).

Application Details

Applicants to the fellowship must meet specific requirements, including holding an MD and being board-eligible in Internal Medicine. Completion of the GERAS application process is required, along with the submission of three letters of reference, a current CV, and official medical school transcripts. No specific cap on years since graduation or failed exams is mentioned, although maintaining a strong academic and clinical performance is imperative.