The Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mayo Clinic specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract and liver. It is the largest practice of its kind in the United States. Each year, members of the division perform approximately 50,000 endoscopic procedures in state-of-the-art facilities using the latest equipment.

The division is organized around interest groups oriented toward disease processes, organ systems, procedures, or patient groups. Clinical expertise is integrated with the newest forms of established and experimental diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Patient care is provided by teams of physicians and other health care staff with broad expertise in all forms of gastroenterological and hepatobiliary diseases. Because we recognize that high-quality care depends upon scientific discovery, major research programs at the basic, applied and translational levels exist to generate new knowledge that ultimately improves patient care.

Among the areas of clinical and research expertise offered in gastroenterology are:

• Anorectal function testing and evaluation of constipation and fecal incontinence
• Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer, including therapy with endoscopic mucosal resection and photodynamic therapy
• Clinical nutrition with emphasis on malabsorption and malnutrition from gastrointestinal diseases
• Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, including enteral stents, biliary stents, banding of esophageal varices, small bowel capsule enteroscopy, endoscopic treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and endoscopic ultrasound, single- and double-balloon assisted endoscopy, endoscopic treatment of obesity and metabolic disease, and endoscopic revision of bariatric surgery
• Diseases of the pancreas, including acute and chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis, hereditary pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic cysts, and adult cystic fibrosis
• Gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary cancers
• Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including endoscopic anti-reflux procedures
• Hepatobiliary disease and liver transplantation
• Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
• Motility disorders and motility testing, including radionuclide gastric and intestinal transit studies, 24-hour pH monitoring, gastroduodenal motility, and ambulatory motility recordings
• Swallowing disorders and noncardiac chest pain

From the program directors

Our curriculum is strategically designed to cover all aspects of gastroenterology and hepatology, from common to rare conditions and in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The structure of our program also allows fellows to tailor their training to their specific interests, both clinical and academic. As a fellow, you rotate through all our subspecialty clinics, including IBD, celiac, esophagus, pancreas, motility, hepatobiliary, comprehensive, and neoplasia. You also rotate through numerous inpatient experiences: GI and hepatobiliary consults, liver transplant service, nutrition, and a primary GI inpatient service.

Our endoscopy training includes all standard GI procedures as well as dedicated training in complex endoscopy. The curriculum is uniquely built to provide incremental procedural complexity to maximize learning and independence. A dedicated inpatient endoscopy rotation also allows for minimal disruptions and focused training.

Our program offers two distinct tracks: a 3-year Clinical Scholar Track and a 3.5-year National Institutes of Health-Sponsored Track. Both tracks allow you to complete a master's degree or certificate program in clinical and translational science if desired. Both tracks offer a dedicated research block of 12 and 24 months, respectively, and can be tailored to your interests and career goals. Fellows are also offered additional training during their research block, including endoscopy innovation, clinical trials, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and many other offerings that may align with their academic aspirations and provide them with an additional skillset upon graduation. Fellows who completed our innovations elective track produced a patent application as well as a local Shark Tank award for their products.

Mayo's GI Fellowship supports our fellows to become leaders and innovators in the field of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. We hold an annual division-wide research retreat showcasing our third-year fellows' research accomplishments, where we provide focused guidance for our first-year fellows to find ideal mentors to develop their research goals. 

Our fellows publish on average 15-20 peer-reviewed manuscripts during their fellowship training, including numerous publications in The Lancet, BMJ, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and The American Journal of Gastroenterology. More importantly, due to strong mentoring and sponsorship, our graduates are able to secure their dream jobs at top academic institutions and go on to become successful leaders in GI.

Locally, our fellows give back to the Rochester, Minnesota, community through clinical partnerships at The Landing, Minnesota, a day center hosting a free clinic for those with housing needs in the city. Through our diversity and equity elective, fellows also have the opportunity to provide care to patients on Native American Reservations, in the federal prison system, and learn about providing equitable care to LGBTQIA+ individuals through our PRIDE IBD clinic.

Mayo's Gastroenterology Fellowship in Rochester, Minnesota, offers you the unique opportunity to train in an institution that prioritizes excellence in patient care and innovation, and a program dedicated to your education and career development. We encourage you to explore our website and to contact us if you have any questions about our fellowship.

Cheers,

Douglas Simonetto, M.D.
Program Director

Iris Wang, M.D.
Associate Program Director

Faculty

In addition to caring for patients in clinical practice, Mayo Clinic's faculty is committed to teaching and facilitating the growth of medical knowledge. Many of our faculty members have published and lectured extensively and are highly regarded in their fields.

You have direct access to the gastroenterology and hepatology faculty at Mayo Clinic throughout your training in the Gastroenterology Fellowship.

Advisers and mentors

You are assigned two dedicated faculty advisers who can provide comprehensive educational advice and personal support. You meet with your advisers periodically throughout the program to review your progress and career goals, and ensure that your educational needs are being met. Also, your advisers may serve as a contact point for introducing you and your family to Rochester, Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic system.

Visiting professors

Many prominent professors visit Mayo Clinic each year. They present their work during lectures, participate in hospital rounds, and have informal discussions with trainees. You are encouraged to take full advantage of these educational opportunities.