New York Presbyterian Hospital (Cornell Campus) Program

The Weill Cornell Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology offers a comprehensive and rigorous three-year program aimed at developing future leaders in academic medicine. This highly competitive fellowship is located at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, recognized for its quality of care and extensive gastrointestinal services. Each year, the program welcomes four new fellows who will embark on a well-structured training path encompassing clinical practice, research, and education.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship is designed to provide fellows with a robust clinical and educational foundation in gastroenterology and hepatology. The first year focuses primarily on consultative services, with fellows maintaining a weekly ambulatory patient practice, handling a diverse range of cases through an active consult service. They typically participate in inpatient procedures, alongside a requirement of being on call for one weekend a month and one weeknight per week, providing valuable experience in acute care settings. The subsequent years allow for deeper exploration of clinical research, with six months of the second year dedicated to this focus and opportunities to pursue specific interests in areas such as inflammatory bowel disease and hepatology.

Training Rotations

The program encompasses various key rotations that ensure fellows receive well-rounded experience:

• General GI Service: In the first year, fellows serve as consultants on the inpatient service where they manage a variety of GI and liver diseases under the supervision of experienced attending physicians.
• Cornell Liver Service: Fellows gain expertise in managing pre- and post-transplant patients, benefiting from the center’s renown in living donor transplantation.
• Advanced Endoscopy Service: Participation in cutting-edge endoscopy, including therapeutic procedures such as per oral endoscopic myotomy and endoscopic submucosal dissection.
• GI Endoscopy: Direct supervision of essential procedures ensures that fellows meet all ACGME required numbers by the conclusion of their first year.
• Specialty Electives: Opportunities to explore specialized areas, facilitated by leading experts in the field.

Research Opportunities

Research is a vital component of the fellowship program. Fellows are expected to engage actively in either basic or clinical research initiatives. The Jill Roberts Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease and other institutions affiliated with Weill Cornell offer numerous opportunities for research in gastrointestinal diseases. Fellows are encouraged to present their findings at local and national conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals, building a strong foundation for their academic careers.

Didactic Activities

The fellowship includes a rich didactic program that facilitates ongoing education and professional development. Regular activities include:

• GI Grand Rounds: Weekly lectures featuring renowned speakers discussing diverse topics in gastroenterology.
• Integrated Didactics/Journal Club: Weekly lectures reviewing current literature in GI and hepatology.
• Board Review Sessions: Review of guidelines and board examination preparation.
• Case Conferences: Monthly discussions held to manage complex IBD cases.

Facilities

Clinical training predominantly occurs at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, a top-ranked medical center with a high patient volume that offers comprehensive gastroenterology services. The facility includes state-of-the-art endoscopy suites where over 12,000 procedures are performed annually. The program benefits from dedicated centers focused on specific GI diseases, including a major center for inflammatory bowel disease.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The fellowship program supports J1 visa sponsorship for qualified international applicants, emphasizing inclusivity and diversity within the program.
It is recognized as highly competitive, welcoming applications from both MDs and DOs, with a friendly approach towards international medical graduates (IMGs).

Application Requirements

To apply, candidates must fulfill specific criteria including:

• A complete application package through ERAS, which includes a curriculum vitae, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation (one from a program director or chief of service).
• Eligibility for the fellowship commencing July 1, 2025.
• A maximum of two failed STEP examinations is typically considered, although this may vary.

Conclusion

The Weill Cornell Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology is designed to cultivate expertise and leadership within the field of gastroenterology through comprehensive clinical training, research opportunities, and interactive learning experiences. The program’s commitment to excellence, coupled with its robust network, prepares fellows to be leaders in their future careers in academic medicine.