Mass General Brigham/Massachusetts General Hospital Program

The Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at Massachusetts General Hospital provides a rigorous foundation in patient care, research, and teaching for individuals dedicated to pursuing careers in academic gastroenterology. The program is structured to cultivate specialists proficient in managing a wide variety of gastrointestinal, pancreaticobiliary, and liver diseases, while also fostering leaders in innovation and investigation within the field.

Program Overview

Every year, the program welcomes six new first-year fellows. The selection is based on the rigorous academic and clinical qualifications of applicants, with a strong emphasis on compassionate patient care. The fellowship covers broad exposures to common gastrointestinal problems and intricate tertiary care management in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The program establishes a collaborative environment where fellows work alongside attending physicians in continuity and subspecialty clinics, as well as multidisciplinary consultations with surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists. This fellowship is designed not only to hone clinical skills but also to promote a rewarding academic career in medicine.

Key Program Dates

Applications for the fellowship are handled through ERAS, with a deadline set for the third Wednesday in July. This is followed by NRMP opening in August and interview invitations from September through October. The match day is in November-December, with the fellowship officially beginning on July 1 each year.

Requirements

Applicants must either be currently enrolled in or have completed an ACGME-accredited internal medicine residency. It is essential to document successful completion of USMLE Step 3 by the time of fellowship appointment. For those candidates pursuing the ABIM Research Pathway, it is mandatory to have the support of their internal medicine residency program director.

More specifically, applicants with international medical school backgrounds must complete US-based clinical experience, provide three letters of recommendation from American faculty acquainted with their clinical skills, and also demonstrate evidence of having passed USMLE Steps 1 and 2. Additionally, candidates are required to obtain ECFMG certification and a Massachusetts medical license or the necessary Applicant Evaluation Status letter from the Massachusetts Medical Board. Visa support is provided, with J-1 visas generally accepted, while H-1B visa applications are considered on rare occasions.

Curriculum

The program spans four years, emphasizing a comprehensive clinical curriculum across various digestive diseases. The first-year fellows rotate through the Podolsky General GI Service, Hepatology inpatients, and Interventional Endoscopy, alongside longitudinal exposure in ambulatory clinic and endoscopy procedures. The second-year focuses on clinical rotations, mentored research, and continued clinic responsibilities, while the third year allows further specialized clinical rotations and research activities.

In the optional fourth year, fellows can choose to refine their clinical skills or deepen their research, maintaining continuity in both ambulatory and endoscopy sessions. Upon completion, fellows will have accrued a minimum of 18 months of robust hands-on training in all aspects of digestive diseases.

Research Opportunities

The research component is intricate and unfolds primarily starting in the second year. Fellows engage in scholarly work, participating in basic, translational, and clinical research relevant to gastroenterology, supported by an extensive budget for research at Mass General. The program provides access to numerous resources and facilities for clinical research, including partnerships with Harvard and other institutions, enhancing the scope and impact of the research carried out by fellows.

The GI Division offers mentorship from faculty members focused on various GI research areas. Trainees also benefit from courses and seminars held at esteemed institutions like Harvard Medical School, the Harvard Chan School of Public Health, and MIT, collectively fostering a strong platform for independent investigation.

Competitiveness

The program is renowned for its competitiveness, attracting a diverse and talented applicant pool. Successful candidates often come from top-tier internal medicine programs, demonstrating exceptional skills and knowledge in gastroenterology.

Evaluation and Feedback

Fellows receive comprehensive evaluations after each rotation, assessing them based on ACGME core competencies. Continuous feedback is provided, enabling fellows to identify areas for improvement. The faculty conducts an aggregate evaluation of clinical progress bi-annually, ensuring fellows are on track toward their educational and professional objectives.

Work-Life Balance

The program adheres strictly to work hour regulations as stipulated by ACGME, promoting a healthy work-life balance. In the first year, fellows are not permitted to moonlight, while in subsequent years, moonlighting is allowed with prior program director approval, provided it does not interfere with educational goals.

The Gastroenterology Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital stands as a pillar of medical education, focused on shaping the future of gastroenterology with committed training, innovative research, and exceptional patient care.