Gastroenterology Fellowship
Program by the Numbers
3
Training Tracks
10
Up to 10 Fellows Accepted
11
NIH Funded Investigators
The Gastroenterology Fellowship aims to prepare exceptional physicians for successful careers in gastroenterology and hepatology and to educate fellows to become expert clinicians and thought leaders in clinical and basic research.
We are fortunate to have nationally and internationally renowned physicians and research investigators encompassing a variety of gastroenterological disease in the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, including 11 NIH-funded investigators and many others with active industry funding.
Our comprehensive training includes clinical teaching, didactic instruction, and structured mentoring, throughout which our fellows have the opportunity to work closely with the faculty. We foster an educational environment in which the well-being and professional development of our fellows are highly valued.
- Application Process
Application Process
- Passing score on all USMLE or COMLEX steps
- Three recommendation letters
- Three years of prior Internal Medicine residency training
International Applicants
Recognizing that some of our most talented applicants are not permanent residents, we are committed to recruiting qualified international trainees. UT Southwestern accepts permanent residents or J-1 ECFMG sponsored visas. Unfortunately, the medical school does not sponsor H-1B visas.
Additional Information
Please visit Parkland Hospital Graduate Medical Education for requirements for appointment.
- Salaries and Benefits
Salaries
Fellowship Year Program Year Salary Fellowship Year 1 PGY4 $80,299 Fellowship Year 2 PGY5 $84,095 Fellowship Year 3 or more PGY6 $86,503 Fellowship Year 4 PGY 7 $91,787 - Clinical Training Track
The Clinical Track consists of three years of clinical gastroenterology training.
The aims of the Clinical Educator Pathway are to:
- Engage fellows in clinical teaching
- Provide an opportunity to create and give didactic lectures
- Provide an opportunity to produce a substantive educational product or complete an education-related research project
Fellows have opportunities to receive formal training in education and program building.
- Year 1 of fellowship
- Apply for Clinician Educator Pathway
- Identify a mentor and decide on an educational scholarly project
- Years 2 and 3
- Design and complete educational scholarly project
- Additional requirements
- Deliver two advanced level lectures per year during the second and third years of fellowship on a clinical topic (total of four lectures during fellowship)
- Alternatively, fellows can choose to run one evening board review session as a substitute for the second lecture
- Complete two original or non-original work
Definitions for Clinical Educator Pathway
Fellows must be active participants in the design, performance, and evaluation of any educational project. When feasible, fellows are encouraged to publish or present results at national meetings, although this is not a requirement per se and may not be applicable to some projects.
- Develop a curriculum including concept, design, recruiting speakers, advertisement, CME accreditation and funding (if applicable), and post-event evaluation. The curriculum could be for:
- Medical students
- Residents (e.g., ambulatory lecture series)
- GI fellows (e.g., use of simulators, endoscopic skills camps)
- Nursing staff
- Faculty development
- Develop and validate a method of assessment for competence or an educational tool, for example
- Endoscopic skills assessment
- Video instructional tool
- Complete a systematic review/meta analysis on a chosen topic and present the results to the fellows and faculty
Definition of Clinical Educator Lecture
A review of a clinical topic to be presented during the weekly conference on a given topic to be chosen in advance. A faculty mentor will be assigned for each presentation and it is expected that the content will be reviewed with the assigned mentor.
The aim of the Clinical Research Pathway is to train future leaders in clinical and outcomes research. Fellows who show outstanding aptitude may be considered for enrollment in the T32 Research Fellowship track.
- Year 1 of fellowship
- Apply for Clinical Research Pathway
- Work with program directors to identify research mentorship team and potential areas of research
- Years 2 and 3
- Develop and start a project with research mentors
- Complete research project
- Additional requirements:
- Deliver a "state-of-the-art" lecture at GI Grand Rounds (Wednesday Forum) on the area of clinical research (Year 3)
- Complete one original research project
- Complete one non-original work
- Complete the online training of Research HIPAA, Good Clinical Practices, and Human Subjects Protection
Definitions for Clinical Research Pathway
Fellows must be active participants in the design, performance, and submission for publication of any study. Studies must include a hypothesis, aim(s), appropriate methodology, collection of data, creation of an appropriate dataset, analysis of data, and production of a manuscript under the guidance of a member of the division. Research projects may occur outside of the division, only with the approval of the Fellowship Program Director and the Fellowship Research Committee.
Examples of acceptable and encouraged clinical research include the following:
- Systematic review
- Case-control study
- Prospective cohort study
- Clinical trial
- Cost-effectiveness analysis
- Meta-analysis
Definition of State-of-the-Art Research Lecture
- The type of lecture that an Assistant Professor candidate would give when interviewing for a position
- 60 minutes in duration, with 45 minutes for presentation and 15 minutes for questions
- First 30 minutes is usually a Grand Rounds-style overview of the field of study, followed by 15-minute presentation of the research project and results.
- Investigator Track
The Investigator Track aims to prepare the next generation of leaders in research in digestive and liver diseases. The fellowship offers up to three years of protected research training time supported by an NIH-sponsored T32 training grant. Most trainees are physicians pursuing parallel clinical training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, which is typically accomplished with a combined curriculum of four years (1.5 years of clinical rotations and 2.5 years of research training).
Positions are also available for postdoctoral trainees. Research opportunities offered through this track include basic research training as well as translational and clinical research in fields of relevance to digestive and liver diseases. Positions are offered to applicants with exceptional potential and a clear commitment to academia.
NIH regulations governing the T32 training grant only allow U.S. citizens or permanent residents to participate.
Research Training Environment
UT Southwestern Medical Center is a premier research institution, ranked among the top research universities in the U.S. The excellence in research at UT Southwestern is reflected in the achievements of its distinguished faculty.
With more than $167 million in NIH funding, the Medical School ranked 22nd in 2009 among peer institutions in terms of overall funding from NIH, with the Department of Internal Medicine contributing more than $40 million. The Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases itself includes 11 NIH-funded investigators and many others with active industry-funded and other clinical research.
This academic excellence provides ample opportunities to identify appropriate mentors for fellows on the research track. Trainees pursuing an academic career in clinical research are also supported to pursue formal training in clinical research through the Career and Development Training: CTSA Program, which offers a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation degree.
Fellowship Training Curriculum
Physicians who enter the research track as part of their clinical fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology typically devote their first year to clinical training through inpatient rotations at our three affiliated hospitals, as well as training in the outpatient setting through a weekly continuity clinic. During this time, trainees are assisted in identifying the appropriate research mentor and in formulating a proper career plan. At the end of the first year, the program offers two and a half years of protected research time, followed by six additional months of clinical rotations in the last year of fellowship, pursuant to the 18-month clinical training requirement of our ACGME-accredited program.
Three years of work in the outpatient continuity clinic are also required. Our clinical research trainees in this track have the opportunity to train and develop clinical programs directly relevant to their research interests during their allotted protected research time. Funding is available to cover the costs of travel to relevant national meetings, as well tuition pursuant to a Master of Clinical Sciences degree.
Obligations under the T32 Training Grant
Participation in the T32 training grant is reserved for trainees who will pursue an academic career centered on research. During their research training, individuals enrolled in this program receive a stipend that is covered by our NIH-T32 training grant. The stipend is typically greater than that for clinical track trainees. Pursuant to NIH guidelines, this benefit incurs a payback obligation of one year of the received stipend; trainees that go on to pursue an academic career are exempt from this obligation.
Application Process
Applicants interested in the Investigator Track should indicate so in their ERAS application and in their personal statement. Competitive applicants will be contacted to arrange an interview date. Interested applicants are encouraged to identify investigators and potential mentors in the Medical School that they might have an interest in meeting during their interview date.
Slots for Ph.D. scientists pursuing postdoctoral training are offered on an annual basis through an internal competition process or through external recruitment when appropriate. Applicants are encouraged to email Ezra Burstein, M.D., with specific questions about the program.
- IBD Track
The IBD Track aims to provide training in all clinical aspects of IBD, including Crohn's desease, ulcerative colitis, microscopic colitis, and Pouchitis. A fourth year of training is an option for external applicants. This track offers clinical and research training with a multidisciplinary team that includes:
- Six physicians with a dedicated interest in IBD
- Four basic scientists
- Two advanced practice providers
Traning Opportunities
Training takes place in a dedicated IBD clinic, and through endoscopic and inpatient IBD service. The program incorporates joint IBD/Colorectal Surgery clinics, and Operating Room case observation. Additionally, the IBD team integrates pharmacy and dietary teams.
The fellow has the opportunity to take part in the endoscopic management of IBD including dysplasia surveillance, chromoendoscopy, and pouchoscopies.
The program provides opportunities for leadership development through supervised participation in the
- IBD Multidisciplinary Clinical Conference
- Dallas Fort Worth Case conference
- IBD Journal Clubs
- GI Grand Rounds
The fellow gains additional teaching experience by educating patients, medical students, residents, fellows, and other members of the healthcare team.
The fellow participates in research projects in the field of IBD under the mentorship of an IBD faculty member. Both the mentor/mentors and the research project will be established in advance to maximize the year’s productivity. The IBD fellow has exposure to clinical trials in the IBD research program.
Application Process
Interested applicants should Email Evelina Quintanilla, program coordinator.
- Training Sites
Parkland Memorial Hospital
Parkland Health is our primary teaching hospital. It first opened its doors in 1894 and has always served the indigent population of Dallas County. It is now one of the largest public hospital systems in the nation. Since the initial affiliation of the Medical School with Parkland in the 1940s, Parkland has provided a spectrum of pathology in which to serve those in need and to learn. Regardless of one’s discipline, the clinical experience at Parkland is unparalleled. The hospital, which was completed in 2015, has 862 beds and is equipped with the latest in medical technologies. Services include a Level I Trauma Center and the second-largest civilian burn center in the U.S.
Clements University Hospital
William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital and Zale Lipshy Pavilion—William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital make up our university practice, with the bulk of our clinical activity occurring in the former hospital. Clements was constructed in 2014 and has 460 beds. It serves as a tertiary referral center for complex cases and is recognized as a leading center in North Texas for heart, lung, liver, kidney, and bone marrow transplantation.
Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center
The Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center is the central piece of the VA North Texas Health Care System, the VA’s second largest health care system. The hospital has 289 acute care beds and one of the largest VA dialysis units in the nation.
- Teaching Award
In May 2004 the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases mourned the untimely death of Lyman E. Bilhartz, M.D., an outstanding graduate of UT Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Bilhartz obtained his initial postgraduate training and was Chief Resident at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. In 1985 he returned to UT Southwestern for his fellowship training and then joined the faculty.
- 1980 – Guenter J. Krejs, M.D.
- 1981 – J. Kent Hamilton, M.D.
- 1982 – John M. Dietschy, M.D.
- 1983 – Athol J. Ware, M.D.
- 1984 – Leon Wolf, M.D.
- 1985 – Larry R. Schiller, M.D.
- 1986 – Peter Loeb, M.D.
- 1987 – Mark Feldman, M.D.
- 1988 – Peter M. Loeb, M.D.
- 1989 – Edward L. Lee, M.D.
- 1990 – Walter L. Peterson, M.D.
- 1991 – William Harford, Jr., M.D.
- 1992 – Markus Goldschmiedt, M.D.
- 1993 – Gordon D. Luk, M.D.
- 1994 – Dwain L. Thiele, M.D.
- 1995 – Henrik Westergaard, M.D.
- 1996 – Jennifer A. Cuthbert, M.D.
- 1997 – Walter L. Peterson, M.D.
- 1998 – Peter M. Loeb, M.D.
- 1999 – Lawrence R. Schiller, M.D.
- 2000 – Dwain L. Thiele, M.D.
- 2001 – Edward L. Lee, M.D.
- 2002 – Rohan Jeyarajah, M.D.
- 2003 – David E. Landgon, M.D.
- 2004 – Lyman E. Bilhartz, M.D.
- 2005 – Shou J. Tang, M.D.
- 2006 – Stuart Spechler, M.D.
- 2007 – William Santangelo, M.D.
- 2008 – Samir Gupta, M.D.
- 2009 – Jennifer A. Cuthbert, M.D.
- 2010 – Henrik Westergaard, M.D.
- 2011 – Deepak Agrawal, M.D.
- 2012 – Amit Singal, M.D.
- 2013 – Kerry Dunbar, M.D.
- 2014 – Nisa Kubiliun, M.D.
- 2015 – Geri Brown, M.D.
- 2016 – William Santangelo, M.D.
- 2017 – Geri Brown, M.D.
- 2018 – Marlyn Mayo, M.D.
- 2019 – H. Frank Herlong, M.D.
- 2020 – Jacqueline O’Leary, M.D.
- 2021 – Benjamin Elsbernd, M.D.
- 2022 – Mark Pedersen, M.D.
- 2023 – Thomas Tielleman, M.D.
- 2024 – Moheb Boktor, M.D.
What our fellows have to say
Patrick Marquardt, M.D., Third Year Clinical Fellow
“I have loved my experience in the GI fellowship at UTSW. The exposure we get in different clinical settings including Parkland, CUH, and the VA is second to none. My co-fellows and the program leadership have been so supportive throughout the process and I really feel like I am part of a family here. I am so lucky to be part of this team!”
Sumana Reddy, M.D., Third Year Clinical Fellow
“The clinical training at UTSW is incredibly strong. It is amazing and extremely humbling to train across three different hospital systems with a diverse patient population, you will definitely see a wide variety of pathology! On top of that, we get to work with the most incredible and supportive program leadership, faculty, and co-fellows!”
Emil Thyssen, M.D., Second Year Clinical Fellow
“As a brand new fellow last year, I was really nervous to start fellowship given the steep learning curve that I was anticipating from a GI fellowship. I started on one of our flagship rotations, Parkland GI consults and remember being immediately happy that I chose GI and UTSW. The camaraderie from the fellows and attendings was incredible. The upper level fellows recurrently offered to help offload me by offering to consent patients for procedures and trying to make sure that my day goes smoothly, offering tips and tricks for efficiency. Now that I’m an upper level, it’s been fulfilling to attempt to pay that forward as much as possible in hopes of cultivating a strong team environment that was laid for me. Our program is ideal for anyone who wants a broad exposure both scholastically and technically while being surrounded by a group of supportive fellows and faculty.”
Ashwini Arvind, M.D., Research Fellow
“I have loved my GI training at UT Southwestern so far. We have the opportunity to serve a diverse patient population and see a fascinating array of pathologies. The program is clinically rigorous with a high procedural volume, so we quickly feel comfortable managing patients across the spectrum of GI disorders. The faculty are kind, approachable and knowledgeable, and there is an emphasis on fellow wellness. In addition, the quality of academic mentorship is superb. I am excited for what is to come!”
Contact Us
Digestive and Liver Diseases
UT Southwestern Medical Center
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75390-8852
Phone: 214-648-3985
Fax: 214-648-3989
Email
Ariel Aday, M.D.
Program Director
Indira Bhavsar-Burke, M.D.
Associate Program Director
Benjamin Elsbernd, M.D.
Associate Program Director
