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Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fellowship Program

Northwestern University offers an Advanced Fellowship in Inflammatory Bowel Disease for focused training in clinical care and/or clinical, translational or basic research in inflammatory bowel disease. This training is intended to further the sub-specialty training in gastroenterology and serve as a fourth-year (additional training) educational experience for GI fellows intending to focus careers related to inflammatory bowel disease. It is anticipated that applicants will spend their time between clinical inpatient and outpatient IBD patient care, clinical, translational and/or basic science research, as well as participation in other scholarly activities, such as contributing to case reports, review articles and book chapters.

After completion of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease fellowship, trainees should be capable of evaluating and managing complicated patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease to determine: diagnosis, indications for endoscopy/radiography, indications for medical therapy and appropriate therapeutic monitoring, indications for surgery and post-surgical management, management of IBD during pregnancy and other specialized cases.

Further program details, including our housestaff manual and a sample training contract, are available on our McGaw Medical Center Graduate Education site. 

Learn more via the information below.

 Education

Educational activities will be adapted to individual trainees’ backgrounds and interests. The advanced fellow will participate in all didactic conferences. The weekly core curriculum offers a mixture of journal clubs, didactic lectures, case conferences, and outside speaker conferences. There is also a separate multidisciplinary conference dedicated to reviewing diagnostic radiology and pathology cases as they relate to inflammatory bowel disease.

 Clinical Experience

Trainees will be expected to attend multiple half day outpatient clinics a week, and to be actively involved in the continuing care of the outpatients that they see or are otherwise assigned. Advanced fellows will also participate on inpatient IBD service on various months throughout the year. Inpatient service will involve daily attending faculty ward rounds and thorough documentation of clinical decision making and management plans. Advanced fellows will perform supervised endoscopic procedures pertaining to the diagnosis or treatment of IBD. Advanced fellows will review pathology material pertaining to cases with GI pathology faculty, review radiographic procedures with radiology faculty and participate in co-management of surgical patients with faculty from the department of surgery. Advanced fellows will be expected to follow, longitudinally, with faculty supervision, patients who are evaluated in outpatient clinics and after hospitalization.

 Research

One month of research, typically divided into two week blocks, is provided in the schedule. The expectation is to perform an investigative research project and/or significant review article by the end of the year, under faculty mentorship.

 Diversity and Inclusion

The Department of Medicine at Northwestern University seeks to attract inquisitive, motivated residents and fellows and is committed to providing them with every opportunity for success. The greatest challenges facing the medical field are complex, and addressing them will require a diverse body of physicians and researchers who can work collaboratively. Northwestern offers unparalleled training and research opportunities and encourages fellowship applications from those who seek to become future leaders in the subspecialties of medicine. We are committed to and inspired by a diverse and inclusive work environment that allows each trainee to achieve their personal goals.

For more information on Northwestern’s commitment to diversity please see the following resources:

 Requirements and Eligibility

Completion of training in Internal Medicine at ACCME accredited institution (or equivalent if non-US trained). Completion of training in Gastroenterology at ACCME accredited institution (or equivalent if non-US trained). License to practice medicine in Illinois (application may be pending at time of application, but will be required to start fellowship). All non-US citizen applicants must obtain appropriate VISA requirements and ECFMG.

 Application Process

Qualified applicants should send the following application materials to Angela Tucker (angela.tucker2@nm.org):

1. Northwestern GME Application

2. Personal Statement

3. One letter of recommendation (preferably from the Program Director)

4. Curriculum Vitae

 Why Northwestern?

Housestaff training through McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University provides diverse and challenging clinical experiences and world-class education located in the heart of the beautiful city of Chicago. Learn more via the links to the McGaw website below.

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Contact Us

Emanuelle A Bellaguarda, MD

Emanuelle A Bellaguarda, MD

Program Director - Advanced IBD Fellowship Program

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

View Faculty Profile

Angela Tucker

Education Coordinator

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

angela.tucker2( at )nm.org
312-695-5398

Physician-Scientist Training & Resources

We offer a wide range of resources, mentorship opportunities and formal training programs to help our residents and fellows excel as physician-scientists. Explore all of the resources and hear from housestaff who are making research a major part of their career development plans.

Visit the Starzl Academy Site