Fellowship Training Program:

All Gastroenterology Fellows are co-sponsored by the University of Southern California School of Medicine and the Los Angeles County Medical Center. Fellows are selected to a three-year general gastroenterology program. This allows trainees to be exposed to the broad range of clinical and research experiences our program offers. In addition, a one year Liver Transplant Fellowship Program is offered (see Liver Transplant Program).

Fellowship Positions:

Gastroenterology Fellows will be selected to a three-year program. Transplant Fellows will be selected to a one year program.

1st year Gastroenterology Fellowship: 3-4 Fellows
2nd year Gastroenterology Fellowship: 3-4 Fellows
3rd year Gastroenterology Fellowship: 3-4 Fellows
Transplant Fellowship: 1 Fellow

Research Training: Fellows have the opportunity during their fellowship to participate in clinical or basic science research activities. During this time, the Fellows may be involved in ongoing research projects or their own research interests. They will be able to work closely with a faculty preceptor who will provide support, guidance and instruction regarding clinical and basic science research techniques, as well as academic career development. Scientific background, study design, laboratory methods, and biostatistics will be emphasized. Fellows will have the opportunity to present their work during GI/Liver division research seminars, and possibly at national meetings (AGA and AASLD).

Clinical Training: This is one of the USC GI Fellowship Program's major strengths. Fellows participate in inpatient GI and liver consultation services at three major USC affiliated hospitals. Outpatient training is provided through weekly GI/Liver clinics at Community Health Centers outpatient Clinics. Fellows also have the opportunity to participate in a specialized hepatitis clinic at LAC. Through these experiences, fellows are exposed to a wide variety of gastrointestinal and liver diseases.

Endoscopic Training: The USC GI Fellowship Program offers superb opportunities for endoscopic training. Fellows perform endoscopic procedures at LAC, Norris Cancer Hospital, and USC University Hospital. All endoscopy units are well equipped with state-of-the-art video/computerized endoscopes. Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscope procedures are performed throughout the three years of fellowship training. Endoscopic training in biliary therapeutic technique and other special procedures are offered in the 3rd year of training.

Liver Transplant Program: The USC Liver Transplant Program was started in December 1995 and is based at the USC-University Hospital. Fellows rotating at the USC-University Hospital will have an opportunity to participate in the perioperative care of patients with emphasis on decision making regarding immunosuppression, in pre-transplant evaluations and in the management of complex problems in patients with liver disease who are not considered candidates for transplantation. Additonal one transplant Fellow will spend 7 months on the Transplant Service and 4 months on the General Liver Service.

Core Lecture Series: Clinical training is complemented by a comprehensive, weekly, didactic core lecture series covering the essentials of gastroenterology and hepatology, as well as introduction to basic science laboratory techniques and biostatistics.

Radiology: Scheduled Radiology conferences at LAC+USC General Hospital provide an opportunity to be exposed to diagnostic and therapeutic GI and Liver radiology, including review of abdominal CT scans, ultrasound, nuclear medicine scans, and mesenteric or portal angiography.

Research Conference: The GI Fellowship program offers Research Conferences where Faculty and Fellows discuss the background and progress of their work. Experts from other academic institutions are also invited to speak at this conference.

Pathology: Weekly pathology rounds are scheduled at LAC. Here, biopsy specimens obtained from endoscopy or liver biopsies are reviewed with staff pathologists. Teaching of basic GI and Liver pathology through case review and "unknowns" make this experience both educational, challenging, and enjoyable.

Journal Club: This meeting discusses pertinent clinical and basic science articles recently published in major gastroenterology and hepatology journals. Under the guidance of faculty preceptors, fellows are taught to critically review and analyze the medical literature.

Clinical Conferences:

Case Conference: (LAC) Practical clinical and endoscopic case management issues are discussed.

GI Grand Rounds: (LAC) Interesting medical or surgical GI cases are discussed. Fellows present pertinent literature and topic review. Guest speakers are invited to review state-of-the-art topics in gastroenterology and hepatology.

Liver Rounds and Conference: (LAC) Biweekly meetings review interesting liver cases with discussion of patient management as well as review of the literature.

Pancreas Rounds: (LAC) Interesting or complex cases involving pancreatic disease are discussed with fellows and attending physicians.

Chief Rounds: (LAC) Case presentation and discussion with the GI/Liver program director.

Visiting Professor: Throughout the year experts from outside institutions participate in fellow lectures, Clinical Rounds, and GI Grand Rounds.

IBD Rounds: Interesting problems are discussed with fellows and attendings.