This program is fully accredited by the ACGME and fellows completing it are well-prepared for subspecialty board examination and certification.
Inpatient & Outpatient Experiences
Clinical training is provided at Banner – UMC Tucson (main teaching hospital), Tucson VA Medical Center and Banner – UMC South. The combined program offers access to approximately 750 beds, a diverse patient population, renowned faculty and opportunities for research.
All fellows rotate through continuity clinics, one half-day per week with an attending for periods of six months, leading to one-on-one instruction in six different areas of digestive disorders. Fellows attend additional clinics during hepatology months at Banner – UMC and at the SAVAHCS. There are three state-of-the-art endoscopy centers that perform basic and advanced procedures.
First-year fellows are provided endoscopy rotations free from inpatient consultation duties. Established metrics are used for monitoring progress and determining competence in endoscopic skills. Instruction is also provided in esophageal and anorectal motility, capsule endoscopy, as well as pH and impedance studies. Opportunities exist for more focused training in a fellow’s specific area of interest during the third year of the fellowship, including clinical research and advanced endoscopy. Web-based interactive learning is used throughout the fellowship, with monitoring of progress. All fellows perform QA/QI and Systems-based projects.
Fellows are expected to identify a research project and mentor in the first year, are given time to perform the research in the second year and are expected to complete, present and publish their work in the final year. In addition, fellows are encouraged to study for a Certificate in Public Health or Translational Research through the College of Public Health at the University of Arizona.
Conferences
Fellows participate in conferences within the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology as well as multi-disciplinary conferences:
- GI grand rounds – once a week
- Pathology conference – once a week
- Journal club – once a month
- GI fellows' research conference – once a month
- Liver transplantation meeting – once a week
- Biliary-pancreatic cancer multidisciplinary conference – once a week
- Optical imaging research conference – monthly – 2nd Fridays
- IBD pathology conference – semi-monthly – 2nd and 4th Mondays
Links
Fellows are encouraged to explore additional topics in gastroenterology and hepatology: