University of Virginia Medical Center Program

The University of Virginia’s Transplant Hepatology Fellowship Training Program is designed to prepare physicians for a successful academic career in general and transplant hepatology over a one-year training period. Upon completion, fellows will be eligible to sit for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Transplant Hepatology board exam and will meet the criteria to become a UNOS-certified primary liver transplant physician for an accredited liver transplant center in the United States.

The program emphasizes a multi-disciplinary, team-based approach to liver transplantation, providing an integrated experience with the transplant surgery services, anesthesia, and related medical specialties. The transplant clinic operates five days per week, supporting joint daily rounds, which fosters collaboration between transplant hepatologists and transplant surgeons. This clinical structure allows fellows to engage in comprehensive training encompassing transplant hepatology and advanced general hepatology practices.

Curriculum and Clinical Activities

During the fellowship, participants will gain exposure to various medical disciplines, including hepatology-focused endoscopy, hepatopathology, and transplant infectious diseases as well as interventional radiology. The fellows benefit from direct mentoring in clinical research, advanced clinical skills, and effective education techniques. The UVA Liver Transplant Program is a UNOS-accredited center, recognized as Virginia's first liver transplant program, and manages a diverse patient population, drawing primarily from the southeastern U.S. as well as referrals from New England and California.

Clinical activities are comprehensive, with fellows rotating on the inpatient liver transplant service, where they monitor new liver transplant recipients during their critical first year post-transplant. They engage in outpatient clinics, which cater to pre-, peri-, and post-transplantation patients, while also participating in relevant elective experiences in specialties like transplant nephrology, endocrinology, and abdominal radiology. These participations are structured to ensure broad exposure across the various domains of hepatology.

Research Opportunities

Active clinical research is a key component of the fellowship, with fellows expected to dedicate 4-6 hours per week to research projects. This balance between clinical activities and research is designed to foster the development of an academic hepatology career. Each fellow is encouraged to collaborate with faculty and fellow researchers to explore significant topics within the field.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

The program commences each July, and applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited Internal Medicine residency followed by a Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship. The fellowship is competitive, attracting trainees who are committed to pursuing full-time Transplant Hepatology careers in academic settings. Only U.S. citizens, permanent U.S. residents, or individuals with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) are eligible, as the program does not offer visa sponsorship opportunities for J-1 visas.

To apply, interested candidates must utilize the AASLD Match process and submit materials that include a personal statement, curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation (with one from the gastroenterology fellowship program director), and verifiable documentation of residency and fellowship training. The program director will contact applicants for interview consideration, typically held from early March through April.

Conferences and Educational Activities

Fellows are encouraged to engage in ongoing educational events, including weekly and monthly conferences such as liver pathology reviews, post-transplant clinical care meetings, a multidisciplinary liver tumor management conference, and a GI/Hepatology Grand Rounds. Participation in these activities enhances their understanding of complex hepatological issues and promotes professional development.

Upon successful completion of the fellowship, graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in liver transplant management and contribute to the field of transplant hepatology.