Gastroenterology/Nutrition Fellowship

Curriculum

Our Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship Program provides three years of progressive educational experience which includes ample clinical care work and procedures to assure competence in all aspects of the discipline.

Year 1

The first year of the fellowship consists primarily of clinical training. The Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology/Nutrition runs a very active inpatient and outpatient service at the Golisano Children’s Hospital. The full spectrum of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and liver are encountered. In addition, consults are obtained from Pediatric Subspecialties including the PICU and NICU, in addition, consults occur through the Liver Transplant Service where patients are followed both preoperatively and postoperatively.

Fellows are exposed to approximately 15-20 procedures weekly and are given instruction in the selection, performance and evaluation of those procedures by working with attending physicians in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Interventional Radiology, the Department of Internal Medicine and with other physicians who perform endoscopic procedures. Fellows gain expertise with the basic principles, indications, and risks of the advanced endoscope procedures including: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic ultrasonography, endoscopic laser therapy and esophageal endoscopic stent placement.

Under close supervision from an attending, the on-service fellow is responsible for inpatient activities including the care and evaluation of patients and performing procedures. Fellows attain experience in a variety of diagnostic tests and therapeutic procedures, as well as the assessment of digestive organ physiology.

Bi-weekly pathology conferences, allow fellows to review biopsy specimens with our Pediatric Pathologist. This is a highly interactive conference which addresses patient care and instruction in GI pathology interpretation. For a full list of seminars and conferences please visit GI Fellowship Seminar / Conferences.

Year 2

The primary objective of the second year of training is to gain experience in gastrointestinal or nutritional research. This involves the principles of designing clinical studies or laboratory experiments and gaining familiarity with a variety of experimental methods. Clinical skills continue to develop and trainees continue perfecting their knowledge relating to and performing procedures. Presentations on relevant GI issues are funded at the local level and extend to the national level where valuable feedback is obtained. UOR GI Fellows are actively present at national meetings. For a complete list visit Fellow Presentations.

Year 3

During the third year the Pediatric Gastroenterology fellow will refine the direction of his/her research project(s) and collect additional data. Attention is given to preparing publications and formalizing a proposal for submission for extramural funding. By the end of the third year fellows should be competent in performing routine GI procedures.

Throughout all three years the Pediatric Gastroenterology fellow is required to attend conferences and seminars, participate in regularly scheduled clinical meetings, and is primarily responsible for communication with families and the development of patient care plans on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.