Gatroenterology Fellowship Program

The division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition at the University of Kentucky conducts a 3 year training program in clinical gastroenterology. Specialized training during the third year is available in advanced endoscopy, hepatology and inflammatory bowel diseases. List of current Fellows >>

The primary site for training program is the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, which includes the acute care hospital, a recently renovated outpatient GI clinic, and the hospital's state-of-the-art Endoscopy Center. The latter affords comprehensive training opportunities in basic and advanced gastrointestinal endoscopy.

In addition, the program utilizes the adjacent Lexington VA Hospital, an acute care hospital which includes an excellent and comprehensive endoscopy suite and a brand new outpatient GI clinic, opened in the summer of 2000.

The Division also enjoys excellent collaborative and collegial interactions with other Departments in the medical center, which serve to enhance the educational opportunities for trainees. These include a dedicated GI pathologist, who conducts a bi-monthly teaching conference directed at GI and pathology trainees; an excellent an well-equipped radiology department with physicians who are adept at diagnostic and therapeutic radiologic procedures; and the newly developed Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, whose outstanding surgeons provide superior surgical expertise in all types of laparoscopic procedures.

All gastroenterology trainees completing the program during the last 20 years have achieved board certification in gastroenterology. In addition, the program has maintained full accreditation with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). At the most recent site visit of the ACGME Residency Review Committee (RRC) in 1999, only two recommendations were made, both relating to records keeping of fellow evaluations. At the previous RRC site visit, the Committee made no recommendations for improvement in the training program.

Applicant requirements

All gastroenterology fellowship trainees at the University of Kentucky must have a full Kentucky medical license. Accordingly, applications will only be considered from those individuals who meet licensing requirements. A copy of the full licensure requirements can be obtained from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure (KBML, 310 Whittington Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40222, Tel: 502-429-8046). The following summarizes these requirements:

1. You must have graduated from an approved medical school. All medical schools in the United States of American and Canada approved by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) meet this requirement. Other medical school education is evaluated by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure on an individual basis.

2. United States and Canadian medical school graduates must complete at least one year of postgraduate training approved by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the National Joint Committee (NJC). Graduates of non-U.S./Canadian medical schools must complete three years of ACGME- or NJC-approved postgraduate training that includes 12 months of clinical training.

3. You must have received a passing score on the USMLE exam, or hold a full license in another state of Canadian province as a result of passing a licensing exam.

4. Foreign medical graduates must possess permanent ECFMG certification or proof of certification by an approved U.S. specialty board.

Applicants for GI Fellowship Training should submit all the following:

• A completed application form, using ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service)

• Supplemental information forms

• A curriculum vita

• Three (3) letters of recommendation; it is suggested that one of these be from the Chairman of Medicine or Residency Program Director, and one from the research mentor (if applicable). Letters should be sent under separate cover.

• A personal statement.

• Copy of medical school transcript

• Foreign medical graduates: submit a copy of ECFMG certificate

• Proof of previous training (copy of medical school diploma, etc.)

Mail to:
Luis R. Peña, M.D., F.A.C.G.
Gastroenterology Fellowship Program Director
University of Kentucky Medical Center
800 Rose Street, Room MN 649
Lexington Kentucky 40536

Timeline for positions starting July 1, 2008

Fall 2006 - December 15, 2006
Residents apply to fellowship program by manually submitting applications to programs of choice

December 15, 2006
NRMP sends enrollment information to gastroenterology training directors

January 4, 2007
GI Fellowship Match Opens! NRMP on-line registration by programs and participants

January - April 2007
Programs interview applicants

April, 2007
Rank Order List (ROL) opens for programs and applicants

June, 2007
Rank Order List (ROL) Certification due to NRMP from programs and applicants

June, 2007
Match Day! Match results for programs and applicants are posted to the NRMP Web site at noon EDT

About Lexington

The University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, Kentucky, in the heart of the bluegrass state. Lexington is a city of about 250,000 people, with scenic and quiet neighborhoods, good public and private schools, a low crime rate and great restaurants and shopping. Sports excitement can be found at UK basketball and football games and the Keeneland thoroughbred race track. Nearby are great outdoor activities in the mountains of eastern Kentucky. Fellows and their families find living in Lexington to be an enjoyable bonus to the excellent GI training program.

To make an appointment or find a physician, please call UK HealthCare at 859-257-1000 or toll free 1-800-333-8874.
Copyright © 2007, University of Kentucky, 800 Rose St., Lexington, Kentucky, USA 40536.

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Page last updated Tuesday, September 18, 2007 4:12 PM