The Gastroenterology Fellowship at Baylor Scott And White Round Rock provides comprehensive training across all aspects of gastroenterology and hepatology. Fellows gain diverse clinical experiences through a structured rotation schedule designed to build expertise progressively over three years of training (PGY-4 to PGY-6). The program emphasizes hands-on experience, progressive responsibility, and close mentorship from experienced faculty. Below is an overview of the rotations by training year:
| Number of Months in Each Rotation by Training Year | ROTATION |
|---|---|
| PGY-4 (GI 1) | PGY-5 (GI 2) |
| 1 | 0 |
| 4 | 2 |
| 0 | 1 |
| 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 0 |
| 0 | 3 |
| 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 0 | 1 |
Inpatient Gastroenterology and Hepatology Service at Round Rock
A significant portion of the fellowship is dedicated to inpatient service, primarily at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center – Round Rock. During the Round Rock Inpatient rotation, fellows are at the forefront of managing a wide array of gastroenterological and hepatological consults. This crucial experience involves comprehensive patient evaluation, formulating and implementing management strategies, and efficiently triaging and coordinating patient care. Fellows actively participate in performing inpatient endoscopic procedures, gaining essential procedural skills. Furthermore, fellows play a vital role in medical education by supervising and mentoring residents and medical students rotating through the service. All patient care plans and procedures are conducted under the guidance and supervision of attending physicians, ensuring a robust learning environment and patient safety.
Outpatient Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinic Experience
The outpatient Gastroenterology and Hepatology clinic at Baylor Scott and White Round Rock provides fellows with extensive experience in managing patients with diverse gastrointestinal and liver conditions in an ambulatory setting. Fellows are responsible for the complete spectrum of outpatient care, from initial assessment and diagnosis to treatment and long-term follow-up. The continuity clinic, a weekly commitment throughout the fellowship, allows fellows to build lasting relationships with patients and manage chronic gastrointestinal and liver diseases over time. Additionally, dedicated rotations in the Hepatology clinic offer specialized training in managing complex liver diseases. Outpatient experiences are conducted under the supervision of attending physicians, fostering an environment of learning and progressive autonomy.
Endoscopy Training
Endoscopy is a cornerstone of gastroenterology training, and at Baylor Scott and White Round Rock, fellows receive thorough training in a broad range of endoscopic procedures. Fellows actively participate in general endoscopic procedures under the direct supervision of experienced faculty, ensuring they develop strong foundational skills. Beyond general endoscopy, the program offers exposure to advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). This comprehensive endoscopy training ensures fellows are well-prepared for the procedural aspects of gastroenterology practice.
Radiology and Pathology Rotations
To provide a holistic understanding of gastroenterological and hepatological diseases, fellows complete dedicated rotations in radiology and pathology. The radiology rotation focuses on developing the ability to identify and interpret gastrointestinal radiological findings across various imaging modalities. The pathology rotation is designed to enhance fellows’ skills in recognizing gastrointestinal related pathological findings. These rotations are crucial for developing well-rounded diagnostic skills and enhancing clinical decision-making.
Heartburn and Acid Reflux Center (HARC) Rotation
Baylor Scott and White Round Rock is home to the Heartburn and Acid Reflux Center (HARC), offering a unique rotation focused on reflux management. Fellows rotating through HARC work closely with a multidisciplinary surgical team specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of acid reflux and related conditions. This rotation provides valuable exposure to the surgical aspects of reflux management and interdisciplinary patient care.
Transplant Hepatology Rotation at Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC)
The Transplant Hepatology rotation, a required one-month rotation at Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC) in Dallas, provides fellows with advanced training in transplant hepatology. This rotation exposes fellows to a high volume and complexity of hepatology cases within a major transplant center. Funded by Baylor Scott and White – Round Rock, this rotation includes housing and meal card expenses, ensuring fellows can fully immerse themselves in this advanced learning experience and broaden their expertise in hepatology and liver transplantation.
