Vanderbilt University Medical Center Program

The Vanderbilt University Medical Center Program in Gastroenterology focuses on training skilled practitioners and researchers in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. The program aims to balance clinical excellence with groundbreaking biomedical research to advance the understanding and treatment of digestive diseases.

Program Goals

There are three core goals that define the program: fostering innovative biomedical research, providing high-quality education and training for medical students and residents, and offering compassionate clinical care. The program comprises nearly 80 faculty members, including physician-scientists and clinician-educators, who collectively emphasize the importance of both clinical practice and research activities in gastroenterology and hepatology 1.

Curriculum and Training

The Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at Vanderbilt offers flexible clinical training tailored to fit the interests of the fellow. Annually, five new fellows are accepted into a two- or three-year ACGME-accredited training program with tracks for both clinical and research emphasis. During the first year, fellows will engage in extensive clinical training complemented by procedures including upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Fellows will complete approximately 30 months of clinical training and 6 months of research in the clinical track or a 18-month clinical and 18-month research plan if they pursue the research-focused track 8.

Rotations

The program boasts diverse training environments. Clinical rotations are offered at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Nashville Campus of the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. There is also a focus on continuity clinics, where fellows serve at both VUMC and the VA clinics 9.

Fellowship Opportunities

Several specialized fellowship programs are available: the Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship, the Advanced IBD Fellowship, the Transplant Hepatology Fellowship, and the general Gastroenterology Fellowship. Each program is designed to develop clinical and research skills essential for leading careers in academic medicine 4, 6, 10, 11.

Research Opportunities

The program encourages fellows to participate in significant research endeavors. Available research facilities include dedicated laboratories and access to various NIH-supported projects. The Vanderbilt Digestive Diseases Research Center serves as a hub for laboratory and clinical research, facilitating interactions between basic scientists and clinical researchers, which is vital for interdisciplinary exploration 3, 12.

Unique Aspects

A notable feature of the program is its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The division actively engages in efforts to recruit underrepresented minorities and has substantially invested in initiatives to support minority trainees. This includes partnering with Meharry Medical College to enhance diversity-focused fellowship training 5, 13.

Visa Sponsorship

The program can provide support for visa applications; particularly, it is known to sponsor J-1 visas for eligible international applicants. However, it is crucial for certain fellowships, such as the Advanced IBD Fellowship, to note that they do not provide visa sponsorship 11.

Application Requirements

Applicants must be board eligible or board certified in Internal Medicine. The application process requires submission through ERAS, including a CV, personal statement, medical school transcript, USMLE scores, and at least three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the residency program director. All application materials should be submitted for review as part of the standard fellowship matching process 8, 10.

Competitiveness

The program stands as a competitive fellowship opportunity, welcoming candidates from both MD and DO backgrounds, including international medical graduates. The program's emphasis on mentorship, solid training structure, and extensive clinical experiences enhances its appeal among applicants seeking a comprehensive gastroenterology fellowship 9.