Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship
The Pediatric Gastroenterology fellowship educates the next generation of academic pediatric gastroenterologists to practice innovative, evidence-based and multidisciplinary medicine.
We define “academic gastroenterologist” broadly to encompass those who seek to advance the understanding of pediatric gastrointestinal disease through both clinical and basic science scholarly work.
- The fully accredited fellowship program is in compliance with the guidelines and program requirements as set forth by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN).
- Successful completion of the program will satisfy all requirements for the fellow to become board eligible in Gastroenterology while simultaneously laying a firm foundation for a long and productive career.
Candidates applying to this fellowship program will interview via teleconferencing.
What You Need to Know
Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition takes great pride in their full-time distinguished faculty who are internationally acclaimed pediatric gastroenterologists with maturity, experience and scholarly productivity. The academic environment is rich and diverse in the clinical and research arena. We strive for the status of national leaders in training pediatric gastroenterologists.
The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Nationwide Children's is ranked by U.S. News and World Report.
Clinical Training and Experience
The clinical mission of the fellowship program is to provide expert consultation to referring physicians on a broad range of gastrointestinal, liver and nutrition problems and to provide ongoing care for children with complex disorders of the gastrointestinal system. We strive for excellence in clinical care, research and teaching and our physician scientists are committed to the creation of new knowledge in the discipline.
The Pediatric GI fellows develop special expertise in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease, short bowel syndrome, polyposis disorders, motility disorders, gastroesophageal reflux and numerous other conditions. Focus is on a family-centered, multidisciplinary team approach. Fellows are part of a team that includes social workers, surgeons, nutritionists, psychiatrists, pediatric nurse practitioners, nurses and administrative staff.
Year One
In the first year of fellowship, fellows engage in inpatient care (2 blocks), consultative care (4 blocks) and intestinal rehabilitation (2 blocks). One block is dedicated to developing endoscopy skills and outpatient clinic. Fellows also have time during their first year to begin their scholarly activity (4 blocks). Furthermore, a fellow-driven half-day outpatient clinic begins during the first year and lasts throughout the fellow’s training to allow for longitudinal outpatient care.
Years Two and Three
During the second and third years of fellowship, the majority of time is spent engaged in scholarly activity, with 5-7 blocks dedicated to inpatient care, consultative care, and elective time. Night and weekend call responsibilities are shared across all years of fellowship, with decreasing call assignments over the course of training.
Curriculum
The core curriculum of the fellowship program is under the direction of Dr. Karla Vaz. It is designed to be rich, varied and innovative and includes didactic seminars, departmental Grand Rounds, Visiting Guest Lecture series, specialty rounds in radiology and pathology, journal clubs, board preparation reviews and special seminars.
The curriculum schedule includes:
| Conferences/Meetings | Frequency |
| GI Clinical Conference | Weekly |
| GI Administrative and Business Meeting | Monthly |
| GI Didactic Conference | Weekly |
| GI/Motility Research Meeting | Weekly |
| Research Institute Seminar | Weekly |
| Joint GI/Radiology Conference | Bi-Monthly |
| Joint GI/Pathology Conference | Bi-Monthly |
| Core Competency Lecture Series | Bi-Monthly |
| GI Fellows Curriculum Conference | Monthly |
| Board Review Course | Monthly |
| GI Journal Club | Monthly |
| Morbidity and Mortality | Quarterly |
Program Aims
The program's primary objective is to train clinically competent, compassionate and independent board-eligible physicians with broad clinical knowledge of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition through a combination of intensive inpatient and outpatient service exposure. Fellows gain competency and independent decision-making skills in a broad range of endoscopic, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Fellows are likewise required to dedicate a portion of their fellowship to either laboratory-based or clinical research. This typically begins soon after the start of fellowship and is pursued throughout training.
The fellowship is dedicated to providing an environment supportive of lifelong learning and professional development. Toward these goals, we are committed to modeling the highest standards of patient care, teaching and scholarship. The fellowship aims to prepare trainees to provide compassionate, high-quality and safe care to a broad socioeconomic group throughout their careers and in all practice settings.
Research Expectations and Opportunities
The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition has a long history of contributions to scientific laboratory, clinical and translational research and continues to be on the cutting edge of research in a broad array of areas.
Ross Maltz, MD, and Peter Lu, MD, Associate Program Directors, coordinate a focused, mentored research experience that commences the first year of training. Research will be conducted under the auspices of an established mentor who is a member of the faculty of at Nationwide Children’s or The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
Learn More About Clinical Research ›
View Our Publications
Publishing at the peer-reviewed level is required for completion of the fellowship. Some examples of publications from graduates are linked below:
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Constipation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Associated with Increased Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Admissions
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Health-related Quality of Life in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Patients with Celiac Disease
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Improving Post-induction Antitumor Necrosis Factor Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Polyethylene Glycol 3350 Changes Stool Consistency and the Microbiome but not Behavior of CD1 Mice
- Characterizing Pediatric Familial Adenomatous Polyposis in Patients Undergoing Colectomy in the United States
- Characterization of Esophageal and Sphincter Reflexes across Maturation in Dysphagic Infants with Oral Feeding Success vs Infants requiring Gastrostomy
- A Celiac Care Index Improves Care of Pediatric Patients Newly Diagnosed With Celiac Disease
- Single High-dose Vitamin D3 Supplementation in Pediatric Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Hypovitaminosis D
- Effect of amoxicillin/clavulanate on Gastrointestinal Motility in Children
- The Benefits of Early Oral Nutrition in Mild Acute Pancreatitis
- Effect of Nutritional Rehabilitation on Gastric Motility and Somatization in Adolescents With Anorexia
- Liver Fibrosis in Adults With Fontan Palliation: Do Common Screening Studies Predict Disease Severity?
- Prevalence and Impact of Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD-FAPD)
Partnership with The Ohio State University
Fellows at Nationwide Children’s have the opportunity to take advantage of additional education at The Ohio State University.
Learn more about the Master of Arts in Educational Studies, Biomedical Education ›
Learn more about Educational Opportunities for Fellows at Nationwide Children's Hospital ›
Salary and Benefits
Our Fellows are hospital employees, and as such, they are eligible for the same benefits other full-time staff receive (with the exception of paid time off, which is outlined.)
Faculty and Fellows
Research
Research education and training are vital to the mission of Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital. As a top-ten free-standing pediatric research center and an academic affiliate of The Ohio State University, The Research Institute has an outstanding faculty, dedicated to training and mentoring the next generation of scientists in pediatric research.
Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital
Advocacy
Our hospital made a promise to not only acknowledge, but foster and celebrate the diversity of each other, our patients, families, visitors, and many physician and community partners. Why? Because being inclusive and welcoming makes us better suited to take care of those who need our help.
Application and Selection
Thank you for your interest in the Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
To meet the needs of our applicants, our program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) for all applications. This program is open to candidates in July, and interviews will be conducted from August through October of each academic year.
Early submission of applications is encouraged as this allows the program and the candidate the opportunity to schedule the most mutually convenient time for an interview.
Our program has four openings for PGY 4’s each academic year.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be board eligible or board certified in pediatrics through the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP).
- International graduates must hold or be eligible for an unrestricted J-1 visa. We can consider applicants with an existing H-1B visa that would require a transfer to Nationwide Children's Hospital. International graduates must also have ECFMG certification.
Upon reviewing all applications, qualified candidates will be invited to interview. We encourage you to apply if you meet our eligibility criteria and look forward to considering your application.
For questions or further information, please contact:
Mackenzie Kibbe
Education Program Administrator
Phone: (614) 355-2926
Email: Mackenzie.Kibbe@NationwideChildrens.org
Contact
Please contact our education program administrator regarding specific questions.
Karla K.H. Vaz, MD
Program Director
Phone: (614) 722-3474
Email: Karla.Vaz@NationwideChildrens.org
Mackenzie Kibbe
Education Program Administrator
Phone: (614) 355-2926
Email: Mackenzie.Kibbe@NationwideChildrens.org
