STAFF
Sarah Jane Schwarzenberg, M.D., Associate Professor, Director
Harvey L. Sharp, M.D., Professor,
Glenn R. Gourley, M.D., Professor, Research Director, Fellowship Training Program Director
Khalid Khan, M.D., Assistant Professor
Boris Sudel, M.D., Assistant Professor
Deborah A. Goldman, M.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor
Robin Shannon, M.S., R.N., C.P.N.P.
Kate Porter, R.N.
Athena Decker, R.N.
Jane Cattell, Fellowship Coordinator
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Program at the University of Minnesota is based at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, a division of Fairview. Consultative service is also provided at all affiliated institutions particularly Gillette Children's Specialty Hospital and Children's Hospital and Clinic in St. Paul.
A formal fellowship program in gastroenterology has been in existence since 1973 and 18 Pediatric Gastroenterology fellows have trained here. Graduates of our program are currently on the faculty of a number of academic pediatric institutions throughout the country. The training program provides an integrated three-year experience, which includes training in diagnosis, patient management, gastroenterological procedures, nutritional support, and basic or clinical research. The division maintains clinical and research ties with adult gastroenterology, several of the basic science faculty, and various divisions of the department of surgery and other departments, providing a multidisciplinary research, educational, and clinical experience. In addition, there are long-standing clinical and research collaborations established with several subspecialties within the department of pediatrics. Our division has an internationally recognized expertise in pediatric liver disease, liver transplantation, pathology, inherited metabolic disorders, and complications of all transplantation procedures. The division sees the entire spectrum of gastrointestinal and pancreatic diseases. There are special interests in obesity, esophageal atresia repair, nerve abnormalities in constipation, hyperbilirubinemia, inflammatory bowel disease and proteomics. All training is centered at the University.
Fellowships in pediatric gastroenterology at the University of Minnesota have been fully accredited by the American Academy of Pediatrics since this accreditation first became possible in 1994. The three-year program is divided into one year of clinical training (usually divided over the first two years) and two years of clinical or basic research experience during which time there are only minimal clinical responsibilities. Coursework is required to provide an adequate training background in clinical research and can result in obtaining a Masters Degree in Clinical Research. Basic science mentorship will be provided by NIH-supported investigators. Adequate laboratory space is available as well as human liver tissue of various diseases that require liver transplantation through a service contract supported by the NIH.
In general, one applicant is accepted per year depending on availability of funding. All applicants must have completed an accredited pediatric residency. Applicants with research experience are given preference since the program is oriented toward training for a career in academic medicine. At this time, we are able to accept applications only from United States citizens.
CLINICAL SERVICES
Fellows are expected to complete one year of clinical GI training, which is divided between inpatient and outpatient services. Comprehensive, state-of-the-art procedure training is provided and includes training at a nationally recognized adult endoscopy unit. The exceptional consultative service includes a top ranked bone marrow transplantation program, cystic fibrosis patients from infancy through adulthood, and both autistic and physically handicapped children. Exceptional house staff coverage translates into minimal night and weekend call except for emergency situations. Our trainees pass the board examination on the first exposure. We abide by all duty hour rules as established by ACGME.