University of Alabama Hospital Program

The Transplant Hepatology Fellowship training program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) offers a one-year intensive clinical experience through the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. This fellowship is designed to prepare physicians for careers in academic medicine or clinical practice. UAB is known for being Alabama's only liver transplant program and has performed over 3,000 procedures since its inception. The program consistently ranks among the best in the United States for patient outcomes.

The fellowship provides exceptional training through exposure to a complex patient population. This is facilitated by the 1,200-bed UAB Hospital, which is the eighth largest public hospital in the nation, and in close proximity to other vital training sites such as the Birmingham VA Medical Center and Children's Hospital of Alabama.

Fellowship Experience

The program incorporates both mandatory and elective rotations addressing a wide variety of gastroenterology and hepatology-related conditions. These include pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel disease (IBD), hepatic encephalopathy, and liver disease. Furthermore, fellows receive clinical experience through various specialty clinics spread across the medical campus.

Clinical Rotations

The curriculum of the fellowship consists of electives in several subspecialty clinics, enhancing clinical exposure and experience. Fellows will participate in independent clinics, including clinics focusing on viral hepatitis, autoimmune diseases, liver tumors, cirrhosis, and post-operative transplant hepatology among others.

Teaching Conferences

Fellows are strongly encouraged to engage in teaching medical students and residents during scholarly activities. They have access to numerous multidisciplinary conferences including the Tumor Conference, Liver Pathology Conference, and Radiology Conference while also participating in weekly didactic sessions focused on transplant topics. The program emphasizes the importance of teaching within the clinical setting.

Research Training

Research is a vital part of the Transplant Hepatology Fellowship. In the first month of training, fellows meet with research mentors to identify research projects aligned with their interests. Research can be clinical or translational in nature, and fellows are expected to participate in Quality Improvement projects during their training year. Presentation of research findings at regional or national scientific meetings is highly encouraged.

Application Requirements

The program takes applications through the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) system. Key application requirements include:

• Completion of an ACGME-accredited residency and Gastroenterology fellowship
• Board eligibility or certification in the completed specialty
• U.S. citizenship, permanent residency/green card, or H1B visa sponsorship (the program can sponsor H1B visas)
• Alabama state medical license (must be obtained before starting the fellowship)

There are no minimum USMLE score requirements; scores are considered as part of the overall review process.

Salary and Benefits

The fellowship provides benefits and insurance plans that are available to all fellows at UAB. Detailed information about salaries based on the PGY level can be acquired through the fellowship resources.

Visa Support

The program offers support for visa applications, sponsoring both H1B and J1 visas, making it accessible for international medical graduates who have completed the necessary training requirements.

Competitiveness and Applicant Friendliness

The Transplant Hepatology Fellowship at UAB is considered a competitive program. It welcomes applications from U.S. graduates as well as international medical graduates (IMGs) who meet the qualifications. The emphasis on academic training and quality patient care places it among the choices for highly motivated candidates.

Life in Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama, is a vibrant and lively city offering an array of recreational activities, attractive neighborhoods, and a strong sense of community. It presents an appealing environment for fellows to live and engage with the urban lifestyle while being part of a robust training program. The city is noted for its relatively low cost of living, making it an attractive option for fellows.

The fellowship program and the surrounding environment, with its strong focus on patient-centered care and integrated learning experience, promise an enriching path for future hepatologists.