Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Program

The Transplant Hepatology Fellowship at The Mount Sinai Hospital aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the field of academic hepatology. The program has a storied history of producing graduates who excel as leaders in transplant hepatology globally. This comprehensive fellowship equips candidates to succeed in the ABIM Certificate of Added Qualification for Transplant Hepatology, providing extensive exposure to managing a broad spectrum of acute and chronic liver diseases in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

The ACGME-accredited fellowship offers unique clinical training experiences within one of the leading health systems in the United States. Each fellow engaged in this program has the opportunity to work with a diverse patient demographic, receiving tailored education designed to respect and accommodate varying cultural backgrounds. The Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute is renowned for performing over 150 liver transplants annually, including advanced procedures such as living donor and multi-visceral transplantation.

The program promotes collaborative efforts to overcome socioeconomic barriers, ensuring that all patients can access equitable and high-quality care. Integration into the division allows fellows to function as colleagues, participating actively in a structured mentorship program designed to enhance essential skills for successful careers in transplant hepatology. Throughout the fellowship, there is a strong emphasis on research and academic activities, enabling fellows to expand their knowledge and expertise through personalized mentorship.

Curriculum and Training

The curriculum for the Transplant Hepatology Fellowship is designed around several core competencies:

• Expertise in the diagnosis and management of chronic liver diseases.
• Evaluation and management of patients before and after liver transplantation.
• Active participation and observation during transplant surgeries.
• Familiarity with diagnostic imaging, liver biopsy interpretations, and endoscopy procedures.
• Engagement in research, often leading to presentations at prestigious meetings and publication in notable gastroenterology and hepatology journals.

Fellows engage in multiple rotations, including pre-transplant, post-transplant, outpatient care, and consult rotations, ensuring comprehensive exposure to all areas of transplant hepatology. Each fellow will manage a panel of patients in a continuity clinic, conduct outpatient procedures, and actively participate in educational opportunities tailored to foster growth and learning.

Research Opportunities

The program encourages research involvement, providing fellows with a framework that enables participation in clinical studies while managing time effectively. Each fellow must complete an IRB training program before commencing the fellowship, granting them the ability to engage with ongoing research projects upon their start date. Faculty mentors are accessible for guidance throughout the research process, and fellows are urged to present their findings at notable conferences such as the AASLD Liver Meeting. Opportunities for continuation in research under NIH fellowship grants exist, further enhancing the academic experience.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Transplant Hepatology Fellowship is highly competitive, targeted towards applicants who have successfully completed gastroenterology training. The program looks for individuals committed to both clinical excellence and the advancement of hepatology as a discipline. Applicants interested in applying must submit their applications through the AASLD online common application, beginning in January 2024 for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorships for qualified international medical graduates, facilitating their application process for relevant visa types to ensure their participation in the fellowship. Specifics about the types of visas sponsored can be directed to the appropriate administration during the application process.

Support for Fellow Development

Throughout the program, fellows receive continuous support from an extensive faculty with expertise across various hepatological disciplines. The fellowship leadership is committed to the fellows' professional development, with weekly conferences and didactic lectures designed to enhance clinical knowledge and foster discussions on liver disease and current research trends.

Fellows are also provided with four weeks of vacation annually, contributing to a well-rounded training experience.