Academic Program
 
Curriculum
A specific curriculum-based program that prepares trainees for the competitive job market in either the academic or private sector of the future directs clinical rotations, conferences and research experiences. Each trainee will complete a three-year program that provides strength in both the cognitive and technical clinical skills needed to care for patients with both liver and gastrointestinal disorders. These skills will be developed through a broad exposure to excellent case material in several challenging, diversified yet pleasant teaching environments. In addition, each fellow will develop a specific area of personal focused expertise. These focused areas include IBD, motility, GI oncology, pancreaticobiliary diseases, hepatology and liver transplantation, or basic research. Clinical and research rotations are primarily at Hahnemann University Hospital. Additional ambulatory and hospital rotations at Abington Memorial Hospital, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital and in liver transplantation provide the trainee with a wealth of diversified clinical experiences.

Faculty
Our program has a long-standing tradition of excellence in clinical training in gastroenterology. Well-known, committed educators bring dozens of years of experience and commitment to teaching to the program. The diversity of clinical material is enhanced through the collaboration of volunteer and full time faculty. Faculty basic research interests are focused in IBD, oncogenes in Barrett’s metaplasia and cell biology of growth factors affecting colon cancer. Clinical research interests include IBD, motility, complications of reflux esophagitis, early detection and treatment of cancer, and gender-based disparities. 

Facilities
Trainees spend most of their time at the Hahnemann University Hospital. Endoscopic facilities in all of our hospitals and in our offices are of high quality. Each provides state-of-the-art computer generated reporting capacity, ERCP, fluoroscopy, a full range of manometric studies and endoscopic ultrasound.
 
Rotations
The first year of fellowship emphasizes exposure to a widely varied clinical experience and extensive endoscopic experience. A month of time in mid-year is dedicated to exploring research options and initiating scholarly pursuits.
 
While further emphasis on learning through a “hands-on” fellow-run service is continued in the second year, the time dedicated to electives increases from one month in the first year to four to five months. Electives include research, therapeutic endoscopy and ambulatory electives with motility.
 
By the third year of fellowship, it is anticipated that trainees will have a specific area within hepatology or gastroenterology that they will focus on. Five to six months of elective time is dedicated to solidifying this experience and completing research projects.

Conferences
Journal Club – 2/month
Pathophysiology – 2/month
Professor Rounds – 3/month
Radiology Conference – 1/month
GI Grand Rounds – (1 hour lecture/1 hour clinical rounds) weekly
Hepatobiliary Conference – 1/week
Pathology Conference – 2/month
 
Research
Research opportunities are available in clinical and basic research. Fellows select a research mentor from faculty in gastroenterology, hepatology, pathology or surgery. Research on inflammatory bowel diseases, mechanisms of carcinogenesis, Barrett’s esophagus, and therapeutic endoscopy are most popular.
 
Evaluations
Faculty members are evaluated monthly by attending physicians (written evaluation). Fellows also perform monthly evaluations of the facilities and attendings with whom they work.

Fellows meet monthly with the program director as a group and individually two times a year.