UPMC Medical Education Program

Overview

The Pediatric Transplant Hepatology Fellowship program at the University of Pittsburgh is a one-year, advanced ACGME-accredited fellowship designed for physicians pursuing expertise in the care of pediatric patients suffering from hepatobiliary diseases, particularly those undergoing liver transplantation. This program is hosted at the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, which holds the distinguished position of being the nation's first pediatric hospital to implement a transplant program and has spearheaded advancements in pediatric transplantation for over 30 years.

With a strong commitment to excellence, the fellowship program offers a comprehensive training experience, including a curriculum focused on general and transplant hepatology, with the goal of preparing fellows for the American Board of Pediatrics' Transplant Hepatology Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) Examination upon completion of the fellowship.

Curriculum

The fellowship curriculum at UPMC includes clinical, research, and educational components. Active supervised training occurs under the guidance of five hepatologists and six pediatric transplant surgeons in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The training program is structured to provide fellows with hands-on experience across various clinical scenarios.

Fellows are expected to attend two half-day clinics each week, encompassing both general hepatology/pre-transplantation continuity clinics and post-transplant clinics. The program emphasizes direct involvement, allowing fellows to perform liver biopsies under the mentorship of experienced interventional radiologists and faculty members, and to oversee inpatient admissions and consults for six months of their year-long training.

Research Opportunities

Fellows in the program are also encouraged to engage in research activities related to pediatric hepatology and transplantation. An expectation for fellows is to complete a case review series by the end of their training, which includes analyzing a patient case series and submitting a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal with the guidance of their faculty mentor. The fellowship dedicates time to a Fellow Educational Curriculum designed to equip fellows with necessary research skills, including grant writing, statistics, and research design.

Conferences

The educational environment is enriched through a series of weekly conferences where different aspects of Pediatric Transplant Hepatology are discussed, including:

• Weekly Liver Transplant Meeting
• Weekly Medical Hepatology Meeting
• Weekly Transplant/Hepatology Pathology Conference
• Weekly Pittsburgh Liver Research Center Meeting
• Weekly Tumor Board Conference
• Weekly GI/Hepatology Educational Conference
• Monthly GI/Hepatology Radiology Conference

Application Process

The application process for the Pediatric Transplant Hepatology Fellowship requires submission via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Applicants must provide several documents including:

• Completed application including a photo
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Dean's Letter
• Medical school transcript
• USMLE Scores
• Letters of recommendation (one from the Pediatric Residency Program Director and two additional letters)
• ECFMG certificate for international graduates
• Copy of Visa for international graduates
• Pediatric Residency Completion Certificate upon entering the program

Interviews are conducted by invitation only after an initial review of applications, which are instrumental for acceptance into the program.

Competitiveness and Special Requirements

The Pediatric Transplant Hepatology Fellowship is considered competitive due to its unique offerings and the prestige associated with UPMC Children's Hospital. Candidates who have completed a three-year Pediatric Gastroenterology fellowship prior to applying are eligible. The program fosters an inclusive environment that is friendly toward diverse applicants, including those from DO and IMG backgrounds.

Specific application requirements, such as the completion of an initial Pediatric residency and a strong performance in USMLE examinations, ensure that candidates are well-prepared for the challenges of the fellowship.

Visa Support

For international graduates, the Pediatric Transplant Hepatology Fellowship program provides visa support. Typically, J-1 visas may be sponsored for eligible candidates during their fellowship training at UPMC Children’s Hospital. The program ensures compliance with all immigration regulations to facilitate the training experience for foreign medical graduates.