Program Director:  Asyia S. Ahmad, M.D.
Program Coordinator:  Jeanne Myers 

Overview of the Fellowship Program

Curriculum:
Our curriculum-based program prepares trainees for the competitive job market of the future by directing clinical rotations, conferences and research experiences. Each trainee will complete a three-year program to develop cognitive and technical expertise in liver and gastrointestinal disorders. These skills will be developed through a broad exposure to excellent case material in challenging and diversified teaching environments. Five weekly conferences emphasize the importance of acquiring a broad evidence-based knowledge of pathophysiology, pathology and state-of-the-art diagnostic technology and treatments of liver and GI disorders. In addition, each fellow will develop a specific area of personal focused expertise. These focused areas include therapeutic endoscopy, motility, IBD, GI oncology, hepatology and liver transplantation. Clinical and research rotations are primarily at Hahnemann University Hospital. Additional ambulatory experiences are scheduled at Abington Memorial Hospital, Roxborough Hospital and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. Our hospitals’ Trauma I status and regionally renowned transplantation programs also 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 and early detection and treatment of cancer, hepatitis C and organ transplantation. Our Graduate School of Public Health also provides an on-campus opportunity to begin studies toward an MPH degree.

Facilities:
Endoscopic facilities at our hospitals and in our offices are of the highest quality. Each university hospital’s endoscopy suite provides state-of-the-art computer-generated reporting capacity, advanced motility, therapeutic endoscopic, ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound technology. A state-of-the-art computerized endoscopic simulator provides our fellows with a unique opportunity to enhance their endoscopic skills in endoscopy, colonoscopy and ERCP.

Environment:
Philadelphia provides an excellent environment for training in gastroenterology and recreation. It has been listed by Fortune magazine as one of America’s finest cities several times in recent years. There are many opportunities to enjoy its rich culture, professional and collegiate sports, and beautiful suburban and urban residential housing. Diverse recreational opportunities are provided by the city’s parks, including the nation’s oldest zoo and largest park (Fairmount Park) and internationally renowned cultural experiences including our museums and symphony orchestra. Day trips to Washington, D.C., New York, the Jersey shore, and the Pocono Mountains provide enjoyable weekend diversions. The city’s several excellent GI training programs collaborate in citywide educational programs in gastroenterology, hepatology and emerging endoscopic technologies.