Geisinger Health System (Wilkes-Barre) Program

The Gastroenterology Fellowship program at Geisinger Health System in Wilkes-Barre is a newly established, three-year, ACGME-accredited program that offers hands-on training and exposure to various gastroenterology and hepatology procedures and specialties. The program commenced in 2023 and has been designed to provide fellows with comprehensive training in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Program Structure

The fellowship runs for three years and accommodates two fellows each year. The program is connected with the larger gastroenterology program at Geisinger Main Campus in Danville, which has a long-standing tradition of training fellows in various specialties including family medicine, general surgery, and internal medicine. In this fellowship, fellows will collaborate closely with a diverse team that includes nine gastroenterologists, a hepatologist, advanced practitioners, and dedicated GI pharmacists, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to patient care 1.

Clinical Rotations

Fellows will rotate through multiple four-week blocks which include:

• Gastroenterology Procedures: Involvement in endoscopic procedures at two hospital-based units and an outpatient surgical center.
• Inpatient Consults: Comprehensive consulting services in gastroenterology and hepatology at large, community hospitals.
• Esophageal Physiology: Training in conducting high-resolution esophageal manometry and pH monitoring tests.
• Electives: Opportunities to engage in research, radiology studies, GI motility, bariatric and minimally invasive surgery, colorectal surgery, and nutrition management.

The program places emphasis on progressively increasing autonomy for fellows as they advance, leading up to a junior attending role during the final year of training, where they manage inpatient teams with attending support 1.

Didactic Curriculum

Didactic learning is enhanced by a structured curriculum featuring an 18-month rotating lecture series, case-based learning sessions, and joint specialty meetings such as luminal tumor boards. Monthly forum meetings, including journal clubs and morbidity and mortality discussions, further reinforce the fellows’ understanding of complex clinical scenarios 1.

Patient Care and Clinics

The fellowship includes patient-centered care with fellows maintaining a panel of continuity patients through weekly clinics. This allows fellows to develop ongoing relationships with patients while managing a diverse spectrum of complex GI illnesses. Specific focus is given to integrating nutrition considerations in patient management, particularly for those requiring specialized care 1.

Research Opportunities

Fellows are encouraged to engage in research activities that leverage the program’s large and varied patient population. Collaboration with other specialties and access to advanced medical resources allows for robust research opportunities throughout the fellowship period 1.

Application Process

To apply for the fellowship, candidates need to be graduates of an accredited medical school and must have completed an internal medicine residency. Successful applicants must be board-eligible in internal medicine according to ABIM guidelines, with applications submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Necessary application documents include:

• Application form
• Curriculum vitae
• Personal statement
• Medical school transcript
• COMLEX or USMLE transcript
• Three letters of recommendation

Applications must be submitted by Sept. 1 each year, with interviews typically scheduled for October 2.

Visa Support

The Gastroenterology Fellowship program at Geisinger provides visa sponsorship support, allowing international medical graduates to apply and secure fellow positions. The program primarily sponsors J-1 Exchange Visitor visas, making it accessible for qualified IMG applicants 2.

Competitiveness of the Program

This fellowship is considered competitive, primarily due to its association with the established Geisinger system and the comprehensive training it offers. The program has structured pathways to support graduates in transitioning effectively to their clinical practices 2.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The program benefits from a robust academic and patient care environment with both inpatient and outpatient services, ensuring that fellows receive extensive exposure to a variety of clinical scenarios. Additionally, the incorporation of a multidisciplinary approach with regular conferences and collaborative treatments reflects the commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care 1.