Gastroenterology & Hepatology Fellowship

Our faculty have the followeing key areas of expertise:

Our educational framework is dynamic, comprehensive and designed to foster clinical excellence and academic growth. Fellows benefit from diverse learning formats:

• Didactic lectures
• Case-based conferences
• Multidisciplinary and interactive discussions
• Journal clubs
• Guest speaker presentations
• Endoscopy, pathology and radiology review sessions

The weekly core curriculum spans the full breadth of gastroenterology and hepatology through faculty-led didactics, fellow-driven sessions and focused board review discussions.

Key Educational Components

• Multidisciplinary Conference
  Regular exploration of complex cases involving endoscopy, pathology, radiology, esophageal disorders and IBD
• GI Faculty/Fellow Conference
  Rotating case presentations, journal club discussions and talks by national and international experts
• Hepatology Conference
  Clinical case reviews, pathology rounds, journal club, research presentations and lectures by internal and visiting faculty

These structured opportunities create a vibrant learning environment preparing fellows for board certification, academic scholarship, and advanced clinical practice.

Fellows pursue training through two distinct pathways:

• Clinical Track
  Emphasizes patient care and clinical investigation
• Research Track
  Final two years dedicated to clinical research (NIH-funded T32 program) or basic science research

This flexible structure enables fellows to explore GI and liver disease pathophysiology from multiple investigative perspectives. We provide funding for fellows to present research at national meetings and offer internal funding through the Digestive Health Foundation and university-sponsored grants.

Fellows benefit from extensive interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty in hepatology, pathology, surgery, radiology, oncology and other departments.

Scholarly Requirements

• Publish original research in peer-reviewed journals
• Present findings at national and international scientific meetings

This dual emphasis on clinical excellence and scientific inquiry prepares graduates to become future leaders in academic medicine and clinical practice.

Training Sites and Facilities

Clinical training occurs at two premier downtown Chicago institutions: Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Fellows access state-of-the-art facilities including:

• Advanced GI endoscopy suites
• Comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care units
• Modern conference and teaching spaces
• Dedicated fellow-only spaces
• Integrated electronic medical records

Fellows gain extensive hands-on experience in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, complemented by a dedicated simulation curriculum that enhances endoscopic training in a controlled, risk-free environment.

Clinical Rotations

The fellowship ensures progressive skill development over three years:

• First 18 months
  Core competency acquisition
• Final 18 months
  Clinical expertise refinement, subspecialty exposure, and scholarly productivity

Fellows maintain continuity clinics in gastroenterology and hepatology at Northwestern and the VA throughout training.

Rotation Breakdown (3 years):

• General GI Consult Service (Northwestern): 4–6 months
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease Service: 3–4 months
• Inpatient Hepatology Service: 4–6 months
• Interventional Gastroenterology Service: 2–3 months
• VA Endoscopy: 4–6 months
• Research: 6–8 months
• Hepatology Outpatient Subspecialty: 1–2 months
• Gastroenterology Outpatient Subspecialty: 2–3 months
• Esophageal Outpatient Rotation: 1–2 months
• VA Consult Service: 1–2 months

Specialized Training Tracks

• NIH-funded track for fellows committed to academic medicine.
• Provides 75% protected research time and 25% clinical training during years 2-3.
• Fellows complete a Master's Degree in Clinical Investigation at Northwestern University.

Three-Year Dual Certification Training in Transplant Hepatology

• Integrates General Gastroenterology training (Years 1–2) with dedicated Transplant Hepatology (Year 3).
• Graduates are eligible for dual ABIM board certification in both specialties.

Advanced Fourth-Year Training

Fellows may pursue additional subspecialty training in:

• Clinical Nutrition
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Transplant Hepatology
• Interventional Gastroenterology
• Esophageal Disorders
• Basic Science Research

These specialized pathways reflect our commitment to individualized training and mentorship.

We accept four fellows annually:

• One or two in the general GI track
• One or two in the T32 research track
• One in the transplant hepatology track

Note: This year, we can accept a fifth fellow.

Requirements

All Applicants:

• Minimum two years postgraduate Internal Medicine training (ACGME-accredited)
• Board eligibility in Internal Medicine at fellowship entry
• Eligibility for unrestricted Illinois medical license

International Medical Graduates:

• Valid ECFMG certificate
• Valid U.S. visa status (J-1 or H1B) or permanent resident status

The fellowship application process is through ERAS. Fellowship selection occurs after the interview process and takes place through the NRMP fellowship match program. 

When submitting an application through ERAS, please be sure to include the following documents in addition to the ERAS common application:

1. A current CV
2. A minimum of three letters of recommendation
3. Medical Student Performance Evaluation
4. Medical School Transcript
5. United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Score Transcript
6. Personal statement

Yalda Dehghan, MD
MD: Univeristy of California, San Diego School of Medicine
Residency: Northwestern University

Anuragh Gudur, MD
MD: Drexel University College of Medicine
Residency: University of Virginia

Jeffrey Than, MD
MD: Baylor College of Medicine
Residency: Northwestern University

Claire Harrington, MD
MD: University of Virginia School of Medicine
Residency: Northwestern University

Sukrit Jain, MD
MD: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Residency: Duke University

Paulius Kuprys, MD
MD: Loyola Univeristy Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Residency: Northwestern University

Kevin Shah, MD
MD: Baylor College of Medicine
Residency: Emory University School of Medicine

Catherine Wang, MD
MD: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Residency: Brigham & Women's Hospital

Arnold Abud, MD
MD: Florida State University College of Medicine
Residency: Northwestern University

Luay Almassalha, MD, PhD
MD: Northwestern University
Residency: Northwestern University

Sophie Brigstocke, MD
MD: Emory University School of Medicine
Residency: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Vasilios Kalas, MD, PhD
MD: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Residency: Northwestern University