Westchester Medical Center Program

Program Overview

The Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at Westchester Medical Center is designed to provide an extensive training experience in the field of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. This program is affiliated with New York Medical College and the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital. It is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and adheres to certification requirements established by the Gastroenterology Subboard of the American Board of Pediatrics.

The fellowship is structured over three years, where each fellow has the opportunity to shape their educational experience by collaborating closely with the program director. The program is dedicated to cultivating independent investigators and providing fellows with the expertise needed to offer exceptional clinical care for children with gastrointestinal disorders.

Curriculum Structure

Clinical Training

Clinical training is a core component of the fellowship, requiring at least 12 of the 33 months of the program to be spent primarily on clinical service. The Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary, and Nutrition Division treats a range of gastrointestinal disorders across various patient demographics, from neonates to adolescents. The bulk of this clinical experience is accrued within the faculty practice of New York Medical College and the inpatient facilities of Maria Fareri Children's Hospital.

Westchester Medical Center serves as a tertiary care referral center for the region, accommodating a diverse patient population and ensuring a dynamic clinical environment. The hospital maintains a policy to admit all patients in need of tertiary care, allowing fellows to manage a robust inpatient census that varies daily.

Educational Program

Each fellow is expected to actively participate in the division's educational conferences, totaling four hours each week. Conferences cover various topics, including divisional and pediatric grand rounds, pathology, radiology, and interdisciplinary surgical conferences. Senior fellows also attend weekly transplant recommendation and review conferences.

Research Training

A pivotal aspect of the fellowship involves research training, with a commitment of a minimum of 12 months dedicated to research projects. Every fellow is expected to identify and develop their own research initiatives ranging from basic to clinical research. They will receive guidance from the program director and faculty members to tailor their research interests towards publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Pediatric Endoscopy Training

Fellows receive hands-on training in pediatric endoscopic procedures, including esophageal, duodenal, and colonoscopy, along with specialized techniques such as liver biopsy and capsule endoscopy. The program averages around 1500 procedures annually, giving fellows substantial practical experience.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The program's unique strengths lie within its affiliation with a major academic hospital that encourages collaborative research and clinical practices. The fellowship provides an environment promoting close interactions between fellows and a diverse group of faculty members, allowing fellows to explore a wide array of clinical and research topics pertinent to pediatric gastroenterology.

The curriculum not only focuses on clinical expertise but also actively engages fellows in education and research efforts, preparing them for independent practice post-fellowship.

Training Sites

The central training site for the fellowship is the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, which is dedicated to family-centered care and features state-of-the-art facilities. Additional opportunities for clinical exposure and specialized training can be coordinated through collaborative agreements with other regional health facilities.

Visa Support and Application Competitiveness

The program provides visa support for qualified international medical graduates (IMGs). Fellowship applicants who are IMGs must secure certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) to be considered eligible.

With regards to competitiveness, the fellowship program is recognized for being highly competitive, attracting a diverse pool of applicants, including both Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and international medical graduates (IMGs). Special application requirements include the completion of an ACGME-accredited residency program and passing all components of the USMLE examinations.

Application Process and Requirements

Applicants must submit their materials via the ERAS system, detailing their curriculum vitae, personal statements, USMLE scores, and at least three letters of recommendation. The selection process is holistic and emphasizes prior performance in medical education, as well as suitability for the pediatric gastroenterology field. Interviews are typically granted to the most qualified candidates, who are expected to dedicate a full day for the interview process.