The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Fellowship is a full-time, 12-month experience. In special circumstances, arrangements can be made for other lengths of training.

Clinical training

The fellow sees patients in the Mayo Clinic IBD Clinic. This practice provides exposure to our robust regional practice that includes common IBD problems, as well as the national and international practice that includes complex IBD referrals.

You work under the close supervision of Mayo Clinic gastroenterologists who have a special interest in IBD. In addition, daily consultations are available with members of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery to evaluate surgical options for management.

Electives

During the course of the year, you have the opportunity to spend time in focused areas related to IBD. The fellowship is tailored to your particular interests.

Potential areas for training include:

• Colonoscopy with a focus on chromoendoscopy, as well as IBD-related endoscopy procedures
• Colorectal surgery
• Anorectal clinic
• Radiology
• Gut failure clinic
• Pediatric gastroenterology

You participate and present at the monthly Mayo Clinic IBD Interest Group meeting and a biweekly IBD multidisciplinary meeting, which includes gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, radiology and pathology. In addition, you may attend a variety of weekly GI divisional and GI subspecialty conferences.

Research training

The mission of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fellowship is to train leaders within the IBD community. In addition to a comprehensive clinical exposure, you are given the opportunity to develop or expand your research program in IBD. Our IBD fellows are paired with a mentor and given approximately 50 percent protected time to dedicate to research.

Our trainees have access to specialized research centers and their resources within Mayo Clinic, including the Center for Individualized Medicine, the Center for Regenerative Medicine, and the Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery.

Fellows are also offered the opportunity to attend a weekly Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology research conference, as well as academic skills workshops throughout the academic year.

Call frequency

There is no after-hours call responsibility during this fellowship.

Moonlighting

One year is spent on focused training and research, so moonlighting is generally not allowed.

Evaluation

To ensure you gain proficiency and develop the corresponding technical skills, your performance is monitored throughout the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fellowship. You are formally evaluated by your supervising faculty member on a weekly basis, and then you meet with the program director to review these evaluations. In addition, you regularly evaluate the faculty to ensure your educational goals are being met.