The Gastroenterology Fellowship Program

Michael Babich, M.D., Program Director

Length of Program: 3 years
Number of Positions: 4 per year

The Gastroenterology Fellowship Program offers comprehensive training in gastrointestinal diseases.  Upon the completion of the fellowship, fellows are sufficiently trained in gastroenterology to be eligible for ABIM certification.  The program structure provides academic, clinical, endoscopic and clinical research components to fellows during a mandatory three-year period.  In the third year, advanced training to enhance skills in various GI sub-speciality areas is offered.

Clinical training provides fellows opportunities to handle diagnostic and therapeutic problems on inpatient and outpatient consultative services under the supervision of board-certified gastroenterologists.

Endoscopic training encompasses all upper and lower endoscopic procedures including: esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), various esophageal dilations, sclerotherapy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, polypectomy, EUS, ERCP, sphincter of Oddi manometry, endoscopic sphincterotomy, biliary and pancreatic stent placements, stricturotomy, laser therapy, endo- sonography, enteroscopy, esophageal and anorectal motility studies, and 24 hour pH monitoring studies, and capsule endoscopy.

The Allegheny Center for Digestive Health offers a rich experience in outpatient GI with specific emphasis on inflammatory bowel disease, nutrition, functional and bowel disease, hepatology, and integrated medicine.  Research trials and program development are a part of each of the center’s disciplines.  Fellow may elect to spend dedicated time in one of the specific disciplines or rotate throughout the Center.

Clinical rotations include radiology, pathology, nutrition, colo-rectal surgery, pediatric GI and hepatology.  Clinical research is a mandatory part of training.  Fellows will participate in divisional clinical research projects or design their own studies.

Clinical Rotations

Year 1

During year 1 of the program, fellows are actively involved in the teaching and management of patients on the inpatient service.  In addition, they will develop endoscopic skills in procedures such as EGD, colonoscopy, endoscopic biopsy, cytology, polypectomy, variceal ligation, thermal ablation and sclerotherapy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and endoscopic dilation.  They become proficient in  performing and interpreting tests, such as GI motility studies and 24 hour pH monitoring. Each fellow will have one half day continuity clinic per week.

Supporting services include pathology, diagnostic and therapeutic invasive radiological imaging, nuclear medicine, general surgery, hematology oncology and radiation oncology.

Year 2

Year 2  focuses on more advanced endoscopic procedures and continued consultative work. Training in (general and transplant) hepatology is a large focus of the second year. Year 2 & 3 fellows are responsible for advanced motility studies,  pH monitoring, and capsule endoscopy. Clinical research continues to be an important part of the Year 2 program.  Each fellow will have one half day continuity clinic per week.

Year 3

Advanced subspeciality training is offered during this year, with options to include: advanced endoscopy (including ERCP and EUS), hepatology, nutrition, IBD and functional bowel disease. A greater administrative role is played by the third year fellow. Each fellow will continue to have a half day continuity clinic per week.

General Information

Writing case reports, participating in journal clubs, presenting of papers at national meetings, and publishing are a significant part of the program.  Fellows are advised and encouraged to attend various national meetings.  Multilevel, interdisciplinary conferences and seminars in gastrointestinal pathophysiology, clinical gastroenterology, hepatic histopathology, radiographic interpretation, and procedural reviews engender a scholarly atmosphere and assure high standards of excellence.

The distinction of this post-graduate training experience derives primarily from the blending of a large-referral basis, drawn from a broad tri-state geographic area, and the academic environment of the Allegheny General and Western Pennsylvania Hospitals.  These factors help optimize the training experience.

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