MaineHealth Program

Thank you for your interest in the MaineHealth Maine Medical Center (MHMMC) Gastroenterology Fellowship, a three-year program with accredited status by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), which is set to enroll its inaugural class in July 2025.

Training Sites

The fellowship is centered around the following principal training sites:

• MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland: This site provides a comprehensive platform for gastroenterology and hepatology services.
• MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Biddeford: Focuses on outpatient gastroenterology services.
• MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital: Offers rural gastroenterology services, showcasing the program's commitment to diverse patient populations.

Fellows are expected to partake in specialized elective time dedicated to various subspecialties including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and motility, in addition to allocated time for research, enhancing their clinical and academic skills.

Mission Statement and Fellowship Objectives

The mission of the fellowship is to cultivate professional, compassionate, and independent clinicians possessing strong diagnostic and treatment skills for patients with diverse gastroenterological and hepatological conditions. In alignment with the mission, the fellowship acknowledges the unique challenges faced by patients from varying socioeconomic backgrounds, especially in rural settings.

The objectives are as follows:

• Graduates will develop proficiency in diagnosing and managing gastroenterological and hepatological conditions independently.
• Trained to address clinical gastroenterological needs reflective of state demographics.
• Emphasis on evidence-based decision-making and improvement in care delivery through research initiatives.
• Participation in the education and mentorship of residents and medical students.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes didactics emphasizing evidence-based medicine, critical literature reviews, and team-based approaches to gastroenterology. The fellowship structure includes participation in:

• Core Curriculum Lectures: Engaging and interactive sessions across key topics.
• Case Conference Series: Fellows will present clinical cases and engage in discussions regarding care standards.
• Journal Club: A monthly platform to review and discuss key literature.
• Morbidity and Mortality Conference: Non-punitive forums to analyze and improve case management.
• Gastroenterology Grand Rounds: Featuring leading experts discussing current research and updates.
• Board Review Sessions: Preparatory programs utilizing American Gastroenterological Association resources.

Rotations

The fellowship's block schedule is designed to provide comprehensive exposure to gastroenterology and hepatology, structured as follows:

First Year

• Four months devoted to inpatient gastroenterology.
• Four months devoted to outpatient gastroenterology.
• One month of mixed inpatient/outpatient hepatology.
• One month of elective clinical rotation.

Second Year

• Four months on a mixed inpatient/outpatient hepatology rotation.
• Two months of inpatient gastroenterology.
• Two months of outpatient gastroenterology.
• One month on a pancreaticobiliary service.
• One month of elective clinical rotation.

Third Year

• Five months on a pancreaticobiliary service.
• Three months of elective rotations.
• One month of mixed inpatient/outpatient hepatology.
• One month of outpatient rotation at MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital.

Visa Support

The program exclusively sponsors J-1 Visas for international medical graduates.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Gastroenterology Fellowship is competitively structured. Candidates must have completed three years of internal medicine training in an ACGME-approved residency program and must be board-eligible in internal medicine. Successful applicants must submit several documents, including:

• Letter from the Residency Program Director.
• Two additional letters of reference, preferably from gastroenterologists or hepatologists.
• USMLE or COMLEX transcripts.

Fellowship Leadership and Faculty

The fellowship program is directed by a team of experienced faculty members, including program directors and a diverse core faculty, whose expertise encompasses various aspects of gastroenterology and hepatology.

Well-being and Diversity Initiatives

The program promotes a culture focused on the well-being of its fellows, recognizing the challenges of post-graduate training, and is committed to creating an inclusive environment valuing diversity, equity, and respect.