Main Line Health System/Lankenau Medical Center Program

About the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program

The Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at Lankenau Medical Center is a three-year comprehensive training program focused on providing extensive clinical experience in gastroenterology and hepatology. The program consists of 18 months dedicated to inpatient consultations and an additional 18 months for subspecialty electives like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hepatology, GI motility, advanced interventional endoscopy, GI oncology and functional bowel disease. The clinical training integrates settings from both community hospitals and urban tertiary care centers, ensuring fellows experience a vast range of patient demographics and complex disease processes. Most of the training is carried out at Lankenau Medical Center, with rotations at Jefferson University Hospital, a leading center for liver transplants.

Curriculum

The curriculum is meticulously structured to provide a well-rounded education in gastroenterology. The first year focuses on multiple inpatient rotations, with the fellow acting as the team leader on various cases. Throughout the three years, fellows receive intensive endoscopic training, which encompasses advanced techniques such as ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography). Each year of the fellowship has specific rotations including inpatient GI consults, outpatient liver consults, GI radiology, and dedicated research time, ensuring a comprehensive exposure to the essentials of gastroenterology.

Training Features

The training features include hands-on experience with both routine and complex endoscopic procedures. During each year, the fellows perform a variety of procedures including esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy with polypectomy, and esophageal dilatation. The fellows' educational experience is supplemented by weekly fellow conferences and multidisciplinary reviews of clinical cases which ensures up-to-date knowledge of best practices and guidelines.

Research Opportunities

While the program is heavily clinical, research participation is also a significant component. Each fellow is expected to engage in at least one clinical or basic science research project throughout their fellowship, culminating in at least one publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Research is supported by a structured conference dedicated to reviewing ongoing projects, and fellows are encouraged to investigate and present at major GI society conferences.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The fellowship emphasizes a mentorship approach, with faculty members actively engaging in teaching and assisting fellows in their clinical and procedural training. The diverse patient population presents opportunities to manage a wide array of gastrointestinal conditions, from common to complex cases. Fellows also participate in the GI Fellows Ambulatory Clinic which offers an understanding of longitudinal outpatient care.

Training Sites and Rotations

The primary teaching site is Lankenau Medical Center, complemented by essential rotations at Jefferson University Hospital and Bryn Mawr Hospital. Each location provides fellows with exposure to a community hospital and a major transplant center, enhancing their clinical exposure and education in managing diverse GI diseases.

Visa Support

The program offers sponsorship for J-1 Visa and H-1B Visa types, providing assistance and support for international applicants.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The fellowship program is competitive, receiving over 400 applications annually and selecting only two fellows each year. Applicants must submit their ERAS application alongside official medical school transcripts, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and USMLE or COMLEX scores. There are no specific stated restrictions on year of graduation or maximum failed STEP exams.

Faculty and Teaching Structure

The faculty comprises prominent specialists in gastroenterology, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in various sub-specialties to the fellowship program. Teaching is an integral aspect, with fellows expected to participate in teaching medical students and residents, thus reinforcing their own knowledge while developing educational skills.

Current Fellows

The fellowship consists of fellows from diverse backgrounds, indicating a rich mix of experiences and perspectives which contribute to the learning environment. Each fellow's training coincides with structured mentorship designed to promote professional growth and proficiency in gastroenterology.