McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program

The Pediatric Transplant Hepatology Fellowship at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, affiliated with the Feinberg School of Medicine, represents one of the pioneering ACGME-accredited training programs in the specialty. This one-year fellowship aims to cultivate future leaders in pediatric transplant hepatology, providing comprehensive training that focuses on both inpatient and outpatient care for children experiencing a diverse range of hepato-biliary problems, including those necessitating transplantation 1.

The fellowship allows fellows to allocate approximately fifty percent of their time to participate in mentored research projects, fostering an environment rich in academic excellence. Fellows have the unique opportunity to educate and supervise pediatric residents and gastroenterology (GI) fellows throughout their training period 1.

Clinical Experience

As a pivotal part of clinical training, the fellowship fulfills all eligibility requirements for subspecialty certification in pediatric transplant hepatology as determined by the American Board of Pediatrics. Over six months, fellows engage in inpatient and consultation services focusing on liver/transplant care at Lurie Children’s Hospital. One of these months is dedicated to a clinical rotation within Northwestern Medicine, affording exposure to adult liver transplant rounds and outpatient transplant hepatology clinics 1.

The clinical service at Lurie Children’s aims to perform between 16 and 20 pediatric liver transplants annually, managing a patient base of over 300 post-transplant individuals. The fellowship benefits from a highly experienced team comprised of board-certified pediatric transplant hepatologists and transplant surgeons who work in conjunction with specialists from radiology, pathology, anesthesiology, and infectious diseases, ensuring exceptional multidisciplinary clinical care 1.

Research Opportunities

The program boasts a robust research portfolio, with involvement in several NIH-funded basic and clinical liver research initiatives, including but not limited to ChiLDReN, CFLD, PALF, IWITH, SPLIT, BARC, and MITOHEP. Fellows will have five dedicated months to focus on either clinical, translational, or basic science research projects related to pediatric hepatology or transplantation medicine 1.

Educational Components

The educational experience within the fellowship is further enhanced by regular weekly and monthly conferences. These include:

• Pediatric GI/Liver Fellows Rounds, which involves open discussions concerning patient cases involving differential diagnoses and management strategies.
• Liver Team Meetings for candidate selection, engaging multidisciplinary discussions about liver inpatients and outpatients.
• Transplant Surgery Lecture Series covering critical aspects of transplantation.
• Pediatric Liver Pathology and Radiology Conferences that help fellows gain expertise in liver disease pathophysiology.
• Research Conferences and Journal Clubs to encourage critical thought and engagement with current literature.
• Morbidity and Mortality Meetings focused on issues relevant to liver or intestinal transplant recipients.

Fellows are expected to deliver presentations on their research and at conferences throughout the year, thereby honing their ability to communicate complex ideas effectively 1.

Call and Leave Policies

Fellows have minimal on-call responsibilities, specifically related to both GI and liver patients, with opportunities to observe significant procedures including liver transplants and organ procurements. Annually, fellows are entitled to three weeks of vacation, which can be taken in blocks of one or two weeks as per ACGME regulations 1.

Competitive Application Process

Applicant eligibility requires candidates to be board-eligible or board-certified in general pediatrics with completion of an ACGME-accredited three-year fellowship in Pediatric Gastroenterology. Applications must be submitted through ERAS, including essential documents such as a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, USMLE scores, and medical school transcripts 1.

Diversity Support and Visa Sponsorship

The program is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse training environment, which is essential for creating a supportive atmosphere for fellows. Furthermore, the program offers visa support and can sponsor J-1 and H-1B visa types for international medical graduates 1.

Overall, the fellowship experience at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University combines clinical training, research immersion, and educational responsibilities that collectively prepare fellows for successful careers in pediatric transplant hepatology.