Gastroenterology Fellowship

USA Gastroenterology appreciates your interest in our program. We participate in the Medical Specialties Matching Program of the National Resident Matching Program. We are accepting applications by the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Our NRMP match number is 1852144FO. We look forward to receiving your application.

We accept three fellows each year. At this time, we only sponsor J-1 visas.

Current Active Clinical Investigation Projects

An Open Label Phase 2 Study to Characterize Colon Pathology in Patients with HER2 Amplified Breast Cancer Treated with Neratinib
Lead Investigator: Jack A. DiPalma, M.D.
Investigational agents: Neratinib
Study Subjects: Chemotherapy patients

Corrona Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Registry
Lead Investigator: William Preston Sonnier, M.D.
Investigational Agents: N/A
Study Subjects: Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Entyvio (vedolizumab) long-term safety study: An international observational prospective cohort study comparing vedolizumab to other biologic agents in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's Disease
Lead Investigator: Benjamin Niland, M.D.
Investigational Agents: vedolizumab
Study Subjects: Patients with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease

B.L.O.C.S (BLOCS -Benign Liver Optimal Core Study): Comparison of 2 techniques using EUS guided Liver biopsies via 19g CORE biopsy needle to Obtain Optimal Core Liver Biopsies in Benign Disease
Lead Investigator: Meir Mizrahi, M.D.
Investigational Agents: N/A
Study Subjects: Patients who will be undergoing liver biopsy under EUS guidance

Study of the Clinical, Epidemiological characteristics and Natural history of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and of their progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC)
Lead Investigator: Meir Mizrahi, M.D.
Investigational Agents: N/A
Study Subjects: Patients with Barrett’s Esophagus

• IBD Registry
• Study and Natural History of GERD and Barrett’s and their progression to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
• Artificial Intelligence Review of Capsule Endoscopy
• Retrospective Analysis of Clarithromycin-based therapy’s efficacy in treatment of H. pylori
• Long-term Entyvio Safety Study
• Systematic Review of Testing and Diagnosis of C. Difficile infection in Special Scenarios
• The Chest Wall Mass of Unknown Origin: A Rare Presentation of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
• Effect of computer-aided detection device on the adenoma detection rate and serrated detection rate among trainee fellows
• Coilodocholithiasis: ERCP Management of Biliary Obstruction from Gastroduodenal Artery Coil Migration
• New Onset Crohn’s Disease Following Secukinumab Therapy for Hidradenitis Suppurativa in a Young Adult Male
• Crohn’s Disease Unmasked by Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome
• A Rare Case of Gastric Myeloid Sarcoma in Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia
• Complications of Vertical Banded Gastroplasty: A Case Highlighting Late Sequelae
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis Complicated by Esophageal Perforation: A Case Report of “Black Esophagus”
• Metastatic Primary Ovarian Melanoma Following TNF-a Inhibitor Use for Fistulizing Crohn’s disease
• A Rare Case of CMV Presenting as an Ampullary Mass and Cholangitis in an Immunocompetent Patient
• When Pancreatic Cyst Rupture Leads to Cytokine Storm: A Case of Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
• Aseptic Abscess Syndrome Causing Repeat Liver Abscess in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis
• Immune Mediated Colitis with Visible Endoscopic Changes and Lymphocytic Histologic Changes: A Diagnostic Conundrum
• When the Right Side Goes Wrong: An Atypical Presentation of Isolated Right-Sided Colonic Ischemia in an Elderly Patient
• Annular Pancreas Unveiled: An Incidental Finding in Alcoholic Pancreatitis
• An Unusual Presentation of Obstructive Jaundice Due to Primary Hepatic Lymphoma
• IgG4-Related Hepatobiliary Disease Presenting as Biliary Stricture and Hepatic Mass: A Delayed Diagnosis 

We utilize a structured combination of didactic, clinical and research teaching tools to ensure a comprehensive training experience. Gastroenterology inpatient consultative and ambulatory rotations are interspersed within the three years of training, providing ample exposure to a wide variety of clinical exposures. Focused clinical rotations specific to the topics of inflammatory bowel disease, hepatology, advanced endoscopy, and motility are provided by highly qualified faculty at USA University Hospital or affiliate hospitals. Research time is available and quality improvement projects are completed by all fellows. Regularly scheduled educational There is a robust didactic curriculum including fellow’s noon conference, GI pathology conference, journal club. Fellow’s noon conference is accompanied by an article review questions/answers to enhance information retention. Highly experienced full-time and adjunct faculty are invested in achieving and maintaining a harmonious, well-balanced educational environment with a focus on trainee well-being, clinical exposure, and scholarship. 

All rotations are designed to meet the goal of developing proficiency in many of the elements of the core competencies as well as skills such as: history taking and physical examination; written and oral presentation skills; diagnostic, procedural and decision-making skills including the selection of tests and therapies; management skills; professionalism; practice-based learning and improvement; and collaborate with other members of the health care team. In addition, fellows are also introduced to the business of medicine through informal education in billing, coding, compliance and successfully navigating the health insurance system. 

Ambulatory/General Gastroenterology 
This rotation is geared toward first-year fellows and the transition from an inpatient-heavy internal medicine residency to an outpatient-heavy gastroenterology fellowship. Fellows are exposed to the breadth of ambulatory management of gastrointestinal illness.  

University Hospital Consult Service 
Fellows are exposed to both common and complex gastroenterology and hepatology problems encountered on the consultative service with supervision.  
 
Diagnostic Physiology/Motility 
Fellows are exposed to the execution and interpretation of motility and physiology studies including high resolution esophageal and anorectal manometry, catheter based pH and impedance testing, wireless pH monitoring, and hydrogen/methane breath testing. Our program also utilizes the EndoFLIP platform. Fellows will rotate through the specialized functional/motility clinic. 
 
Advanced Endoscopy 
Fellows are educated on the indications, risks, and benefits of pancreaticobiliary endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound. Training also includes interpretation of fluoroscopic cholangiopancreatography. Fellows also have the opportunity to perform these procedures under the supervision of our advanced endoscopists. Fellows will also have exposure in direct cholangioscopy, biliary and enteral stenting, endoscopic suturing, third space endoscopy, and double balloon enteroscopy. Fellows will rotate through the advanced endoscopy clinic. 
 
Hepatology 
Fellows are educated on transplant and non-transplant hepatology in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. This includes evaluation of both benign and malignant liver masses, viral hepatitis, hereditary causes of liver disease, other causes of liver injury, cirrhosis, all sequelae of portal hypertension, and all components of the pre-transplant evaluation. Fellows also get exposure in the management of immunosuppressive, health maintenance and complications seen in the liver transplant patient. 
 
Inflammatory Bowel Disease 
Fellows are exposed to both common and complex IBD problems encountered on the clinical services with supervision. Fellows rotate with our IBD specialists in their IBD clinic and gain experience in the multidisciplinary care including dietary, pharmacologic and surgical management. Fellows will learn to interpret capsule endoscopy studies.  
 
Radiology (Contrast) and (Cross-Sectional) 
Fellows gain familiarity with the wide variety of radiological studies frequently used to evaluate the gastrointestinal tract and liver.  
 
Pediatric Gastroenterology 
Fellows are exposed to both common and complex gastroenterology and hepatology problems of children and adolescents encountered in the ambulatory and inpatient setting. This limited exposure helps provide a well-rounded education for adult gastroenterologists. 

• Didactic Lectures most Thursdays at 12:00 pm
• Article of the Week most Thursday following didactic lecture
• Medicine Grand Rounds every Thursday at 8:00 a.m.
• Journal Club every 3rd Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.
• GI/Surgery Conference every 3rd Thursday at 12:00 p.m.
• GI Pathology Conference every 2nd Monday at 12:00 p.m.
• Research Conference: every 1st Monday at 12:00 p.m.
• Mortality and Morbidity Conference Quarterly Mondays at 12:00 p.m.
• 1st Year Fellows: Digestive Disease Week Post-Graduate Course
• 2nd Year Fellows: American College of Gastroenterology Post-Graduate Course
• 3rd Year Fellows: Subspecialty meeting of choice (The Liver Meeting, AIBD, Motility Meeting)
• Other meetings in which the fellow is the first author on a poster accepted at a conference 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address: 75 S. University Blvd., UCOM 6000-B, Mobile, AL 36608
Telephone: (251) 660-5555 • Fax: (251) 660-5559