Standard Questions
How many positions are available in each track?
In the upcoming application cycle, we aim to recruit 3 fellows to the basic science track, 2 fellows to the clinical epidemiology (MSCE) track, and 2 fellows to the clinical scholar track.
Can fellows switch tracks?
Switching tracks is not an option because of their respective funding mechanisms. The basic science and clinical epidemiology tracks are supported by NIH T32 training grants. Fellows select their preferred track at the time of their application to Penn and formally enter their respective tracks at the time of the Match.
Where do fellows go when they finish fellowship?
The ultimate goal of the University of Pennsylvania Fellowship Program is to train future leaders in academic gastroenterology. T32 track fellows typically apply for their own NIH (K08, K23) or foundation-sponsored funding in order to establish a career in which a significant portion of their time is devoted to research. Fellows in the clinical scholar track usually seek faculty positions in academic divisions with a mix of clinical, research, and teaching responsibilities. That said, we understand that career trajectories after fellowship can take a variety of shapes, and we aim to support all of our program graduates enthusiastically in pursuit of their individualized goals.
Clinical
At which hospitals do the fellows rotate and how much time do fellows spend at each hospital?
There are four hospitals at which Penn's GI fellows rotate: the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC), Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH), and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center (VAMC[ZI1]). HUP is a typical large university hospital with a wide range of complex cases. PPMC and PAH provide more community-based care, representing a mix of routine and complex patients. Rotations at VAMC include generalized gastroenterology exposure as well as more specialized experiences in capsule endoscopy and procedures employing moderate sedation. At all hospitals, the care of all GI patients is overseen by the service attendings and fellows; there are no private GI patients. At HUP, there are two GI services, the Gut Service and the Liver Service. There are 3 GI fellows on the Gut service, which is exclusively consultative and focused on luminal disease. The HUP Liver Service has one fellow who oversees the hepatology inpatient service as well as consults. The GI services at PPMC and VAMC are both consultative services with one fellow each. Rotations at PAH are pursued in elective and upper-level blocks and primarily oriented toward outpatient exposure.
What is the call schedule? Is call taken in-house or from home?
Fellows take call from home; there is no in-house call. First-year fellows take home call every 2-3 nights during the week and 4 weekend days per month. Second and third year fellows take call around once or twice monthly when they are not on service.
How does weekend call work?
Only on-call fellows are expected to work on the weekend. One fellow is assigned to call at HUP, and another fellow is assigned to call at PPMC and VAMC. The on-call fellow is responsible for all new consults and endoscopies but does not round on the weekend.
How are fellows' outpatient clinics organized? Do fellows rotate in specialty clinics?
Clinics are held at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine (PCAM), PPMC, PAH, and VAMC. All fellows have one half-day per week of continuity clinic throughout fellowship. In the first year, this clinic is a general GI clinic at PCAM. In the second and third years, fellows may choose from a variety of subspecialty clinic options representing the full gamut of expertise held by our large faculty. In the second and third years, fellows on each of the T32 tracks attend a minimum of one half-day of clinic per week, while fellows in the clinical scholar track attend a minimum of two half-days of clinic per week.
How much endoscopy time do fellows get?
Fellows routinely perform endoscopies during their inpatient service time and when on call. Additionally, first-year fellows complete two 2-week outpatient blocks with structured exposure to outpatient clinics and endoscopy. In their second and third years, fellows attend a minimum of one half-day per week of outpatient endoscopy in the T32 tracks and a minimum of two half-days per week of outpatient endoscopy in the clinical scholar track. The fellowship has established minimum endoscopy requirements for the three-year program, and most fellows far exceed these numbers over the course of their training.
Is there training in advanced endoscopy?
While scholarly interest in therapeutic endoscopy is certainly welcome within the general gastroenterology fellowship, ERCP and EUS exposure and training are generally reserved for the fourth-year advanced endoscopy fellows.
What is the fellows' conference schedule?
There are multiple conferences held on a weekly basis at HUP, PPMC, and VAMC spanning clinical and research interests across a range of subspecialty domains. In terms of core requirements, all fellows are expected to attend clinical case conference and GI Grand Rounds (Wednesday afternoons) and weekly didactics and journal club (Thursday afternoons). Thursday Research Seminars and Friday Research Conference/Journal Club are offered by NIH-funded Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases and are strongly encouraged for fellows in the basic science track.
Research
What are the opportunities for translational research?
The Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (ITMAT) at the University of Pennsylvania offers training in translational research for fellows through the Masters in Translational Research (MTR) program. Fellows interested in translational research are typically supported by our basic science T32 training grant and engage in laboratory-based translational research prior to entering the MTR program.
Fellows are also eligible to apply for the KL2 Mentored Career Development Program in Clinical and Translational Science, supported by the Clinical and Translational Research Award (CTSA), after 1-2 years in the laboratory.
What is the CCEB? What is an MSCE?
Fellows on the clinical epidemiology track typically enroll in the Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology (MSCE) program and receive their training through the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB). The CCEB is a part of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and provides an interdepartmental structure linking clinical epidemiologists and biostatisticians. The CCEB also sponsors regular seminars.
What is an MSHP?
Fellows on the clinical epidemiology track also have the option to enroll in the Masters of Science Program in Health Policy Research (MSHP). This is a two-year training program in health services research that leads to a Master of Science in Health Policy Research (MSHP). Health policy research investigates the clinical, public health, economic, and societal impact of health care and health policy. The primary goals of the MSHP program are to train investigators in health services and policy research and to prepare them for successful careers in academics, government, non-profit, and industry.
What is the University of Pennsylvania Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases and how will this benefit my research training?
Our Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases is one of 17 NIH-funded Digestive Diseases Research Centers throughout the country and is unusual in that the focus is not restricted to a specific organ or disease process. As such, the Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases unites investigators with interests in digestive and liver biology, physiology, and disease in the exploration of creative experimental approaches.
The Center also sponsors regular seminars and an annual focused symposium, all of which trainees are encouraged to attend. Through the Center's scientific cores, trainees have access to reagents, services, technical training, and complex equipment for their research. A Pilot and Feasibility Grant Program has provided support for trainees who have not yet received independent funding.
How and when do fellows choose a research mentor?
Fellows on the basic science track meet with several potential mentors and select a mentor by spring of their first year. Importantly, and with the approval of track leadership, basic science fellows are permitted to work in any laboratory at the University. Fellows on the clinical epidemiology track choose a mentor shortly after the beginning of their second year. Fellows on the clinical scholar track may select one or more mentors and generally aim to do so by the start of their second year. Program and track leadership are readily available to facilitate connections between fellows and potential mentors both within and beyond the division. Moreover, basic science track fellows will also assemble a research committee with the goal of helping fellow's achieve their research and career goals.
Work/Life:
Where do fellows live?
Fellows usually live in one of many unique Philadelphia neighborhoods or among the convenient nearby suburbs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
When do fellows get vacation?
Fellows request vacation prior to the start of each year. Fellows receive 4 weeks of vacation per year, usually taken in 1-2 week blocks.
Can fellows moonlight? If so where?
Moonlighting is not permitted for first year fellows. Second and third year fellows can moonlight within the Penn system and within the bounds of ACGME rules, which include moonlighting within the 80-hour workweek restriction.