University of California (San Francisco)/Fresno Program

The Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at UCSF Fresno is a prestigious three-year, ACGME-accredited program designed to cultivate the next generation of consultative gastroenterologists. The fellowship is structured to ensure that trainees acquire comprehensive skills in gastroenterology, hepatology, and various endoscopic procedures, thriving in a highly supportive and diverse clinical environment.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum emphasizes direct patient care across varied healthcare settings, ensuring fellows encounter both routine and complex gastrointestinal cases. The program includes extensive didactic training, encompassing:1

• Core Curriculum lectures
• Journal Clubs
• Morbidity & Mortality conferences
• Radiology and Pathology conferences
• Research & Quality Improvement meetings

Clinical Experiences

Fellows are expected to participate actively in patient management, serving in a junior attending role while learning from faculty. Major training sites include:

• Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC)
• Veterans Administration Central California Healthcare System (VACCHCS)
• UCSF Medical Center for liver transplantation

Training includes rotations of inpatient consult services and outpatient continuity clinics focusing on general gastroenterology, hepatology, and advanced endoscopic procedures. The program also mandates two months of focused training in transplant hepatology at UCSF(2).

Research Opportunities

The fellowship fosters a robust research environment, with an expectation that all fellows engage in clinical research and quality improvement projects. A dedicated research time within the curriculum allows fellows to produce work suitable for publication and presentation at national conferences. The program supports initiatives like the Center for Liver and Endoscopy Associated Research (CLEAR), dedicated to advancing clinical investigations focused on digestive health disparities and conditions like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)3.

Application Requirements

Admission to the program is competitive, welcoming applications specifically from graduates of accredited medical schools. The application process involves:

• Application via ERAS
• Personal statement
• Current CV
• Three letters of recommendation
• Medical school transcripts
• USMLE transcripts
• ECFMG certificate (if applicable)

Notably, the program matches two PGY-4 fellows annually and does not generally sponsor H-1B visas, favoring J-1 visas instead. Successful applicants must possess U.S. citizenship, a green card, or an ECFMG-sponsored visa for eligibility(4).

Visa Support

The UCSF Fresno Gastroenterology Fellowship program typically supports visa applications for international medical graduates through J-1 visas, which are essential for fellows not holding U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. However, H-1B visa sponsorship is not commonly available. It is recommended to confirm visa eligibility and requirements during the application process

5.

Competitiveness and Diversity

The Gastroenterology Fellowship program at UCSF Fresno is regarded as competitive, yet it actively encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, including DO and IMG candidates. The program's commitment to inclusivity can be reflected in its selection of fellows to represent a range of experiences and perspectives within the medical community./h2>

Training Sites

Fellows complete rotations across several critical care environments:

• CRMC, equipped with a state-of-the-art endoscopy unit
• Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center, enhancing the training experience with exposure to a significant integrated healthcare system
• UCSF Medical Center, known for its leadership in hepatology and transplantation

This diverse array of training sites aims to provide fellows with the most comprehensive educational experience possible, preparing them for successful careers in gastroenterology and academic medicine.