Westchester Medical Center Program

The Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at Westchester Medical Center, affiliated with New York Medical College, offers an ACGME-accredited three-year training program in Gastroenterology. This comprehensive fellowship is designed for those aspiring to become leaders in the field of gastroenterology, focusing on advanced clinical training, research, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Program Overview

The program hosts a total of seven fellows based on the Valhalla campus, which is part of a larger health network providing tertiary and quaternary care to patients across the Hudson Valley and New York City. The fellowship emphasises diverse patient care involving a full spectrum of gastrointestinal and liver diseases, supported by accessible and dedicated faculty comprising specialists in various subspecialties, including advanced endoscopy, functional GI disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and transplant hepatology 1.

Curriculum Structure

The fellowship curriculum is structured to provide extensive exposure to both inpatient and outpatient gastroenterology, complemented by training in advanced endoscopic techniques. The typical rotation structure for the fellowship comprises:

• First Year: Inpatient Consultation Service, Inpatient Liver Service, Outpatient GI/Liver Service, Endoscopy, and Elective/Research time.
• Second Year: Continued focus on Inpatient GI and Liver Services, with increased time dedicated to Endoscopy, and additional Elective/Research opportunities.
• Third Year: Advanced Endoscopy training, substantial outpatient experiences, and tailored Elective/Research time.

This progressive rotation schedule allows fellows to gain comprehensive, hands-on experience while fostering an environment for academic and clinical excellence 1.

Training Environment

Westchester Medical Center serves as a 415-bed academic flagship hospital with state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated four-room Endoscopy Unit. The fellows coordinate patient care through an EMR platform, gaining opportunities to learn in a multidisciplinary and interactive setting that fosters collaboration among faculty and peers 1.

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral part of the fellowship. Fellows are required to engage in clinical research and quality improvement projects throughout their training. They will have access to resources to write articles and presentations for scientific meetings, enhancing their scholarly output and preparing them for future academic roles 1.

Unique Program Features

As part of the fellowship program, fellows benefit from a wealth of scholarly activities, including:

• Weekly Grand Rounds and pathology conferences.
• Journal Club for critical analysis of the latest research in the field.
• Wellness and career development sessions to support personal and professional growth.
• A close-knit community of fellows who collaborate and maintain ongoing communication even after fellowship completion.

This strong commitment to education and fellowship development contributes significantly to the overall training experience 1.

Application Requirements

The fellowship program is competitive, and applicants must meet specific criteria, including the completion of a three-year Internal Medicine residency. Candidates are encouraged to have a valid ECFMG certification if they graduated from medical school outside the United States. The program supports both MD and DO graduates, creating a welcoming environment for both US and international medical graduates (IMGs) 1.

Visa Support

The program has provisions for sponsoring J-1 and H-1B visas, enabling eligible international applicants to participate in the fellowship 1.

Competitiveness

The Westchester Gastroenterology Fellowship is known to be highly competitive, attracting numerous applicants nationwide. It strives to maintain a diverse group of fellows, valuing the unique experiences and backgrounds they bring to the program 1.