Advanced IBD Preceptorship

The UCSD IBD Center provides exceptional care to patients with inflammatory bowel diseases including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, as well as other types of colitides (e.g., microscopic colitis, checkpoint inhibitor colitis, etc.) from across the country and internationally. The Center has nationally and internationally renowned faculty with deep clinical expertise, robust clinical infrastructure and well-established interdisciplinary relationships. The Center cares for ~3500 patients with IBD annually of which >60% are on advanced therapies. The IBD Center has broad research expertise, state-of-the-art infrastructure and experienced personnel for clinical and outcomes research with access to multi-center informatics-based registry, claims databases, investigator-initiated and industry sponsored large clinical trials, digital health and evidence-based medicine. The Center also houses an in-depth IBD biorepository of ~1000 patients with IBD with longitudinal follow-up and biospecimens from DNA, serum, stool to intestinal biopsies, to enable innovative research to understand the pathophysiology of IBD, advance our understanding of disease subtypes, predict response to therapies, and develop novel biomarkers to improve the care and lives of patients with IBD. The UCSD IBD faculty are pioneers in modern day clinical paradigms and cutting-edge innovation in IBD which have informed IBD care worldwide. Investigators in the IBD Center routinely publish >50 articles annually in high impact journals.

Advanced IBD Fellowship at UCSD

Need for IBD training: The burden of IBD is progressively increased, with approximately ~3 million Americans affected by the condition. Affecting people across the age spectrum, these complex autoimmune diseases have a huge impact on patients’ quality of life. The field of IBD has evolved rapidly with multiple new medications, advancements in diagnostic and monitoring modalities as well as surgical approaches. These advancements have significantly improved patient outcomes. However, given the complexity of management with longitudinal and multi-disciplinary care, advanced training in IBD is essential

Program Highlights: The Advanced IBD Fellowship leverages the exceptional resources and infrastructure in order to provide diverse and comprehensive clinical experiences, research opportunities and leadership development, teaching the “Art and Science of IBD”. The fellowship program is meticulously structured to offer a comprehensive and immersive experience that covers all aspects of IBD:

Clinical Training: Fellows will gain extensive experience in managing complex IBD cases, with exposure to the latest therapeutic strategies and technologies. The fellowship offers hands-on experience in advanced endoscopic procedures, including balloon dilation, chromoendoscopy, and small bowel capsule endoscopy.
Research Opportunities: UCSD’s IBD research program is at the cutting edge of discovery, with ongoing studies in areas such as microbiome research, personalized medicine, pragmatic comparative effectiveness research, digital health research and novel therapeutic agents. Fellows are highly encouraged and supported to participate in meaningful clinical and translational research, with ample opportunities to present at national and international conferences and to publish in high-impact journals.
Mentorship and Collaboration: Fellows will work closely with a diverse team of experts, including gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, and immunologists. This collaborative environment fosters a multidisciplinary approach to patient care and research, ensuring that fellows develop a holistic understanding of IBD.
Leadership and Teaching: The fellowship emphasizes the development of leadership skills, with opportunities to lead clinical teams, mentor residents and medical students, and contribute to the education of peers through lectures and presentations. UCSD is committed to training not just clinicians but future leaders and innovators in the field.

Career Pathways Graduates of the Advanced IBD Fellowship at UCSD are well-positioned to excel in various career paths, including academic medicine, clinical research, and leadership roles in healthcare organizations. The fellowship’s alumni network is a testament to its success, with former fellows holding prestigious positions across the country.

Why Choose UCSD? The Advanced IBD Fellowship at UCSD is more than just a training program—it is a launchpad for a successful and impactful career in IBD. With its combination of rigorous clinical training, groundbreaking research opportunities, and a collaborative learning environment, the fellowship offers an unparalleled opportunity to become a leader in this challenging field.

To be eligible to apply to our program, applicants must have:

Graduate from a three-year ACGME accredited gastroenterology training program.
Board eligible or board certified in gastroenterology.
Obtain a California medical license

Candidates will be selected to interview based on their application, CV, letters of recommendations, academic achievements, clinical evaluations, and career goals.

Educational Curriculum

The program is comprised of seeing inpatients and outpatients with inflammatory bowel disease under the supervision of GI faculty in the UCSD IBD Center.

At present, the Center's faculty are comprised of faculty from the Division of Gastroenterology:

Siddharth Singh, MD (Director)
Derek Patel, MD
Brigid Boland, MD

From the Department of Surgery as well as gastrointestinal radiologists and pathologists.

Sonia Ramamoorthy, MD
Samuel Eisenstein, MD

The Advanced IBD preceptor will perform four half-day sessions in the IBD clinic, one half-day session of IBD endoscopy, do selected inpatient IBD consults on hospitalized patients, and three half-days of clinical research. There is a multi-disciplinary IBD conference every two weeks that the fellow will be expected to attend as well as the Division of Gastroenterology weekly conferences.

How to Apply

Applicants interested in applying for this program can begin by emailing their CV to our Program Coordinator.

Application (doc)
Current CV
(3) Letters of Recommendation [One letter from your current Program Director]
Photograph of yourself
USMLE Steps 1, 2, 3 transcript

Non-US applicants must be eligible to obtain a H-1b visa and a California Medical License.

California Medical License. For more information, go to the
California Medical Board's website, http://www.mbc.ca.gov/Applicants/Physicians_and_Surgeons/

Proof of attending and receiving a medical degree from a medical school recognized by the California (Education must meet the requirements of California Business and Professions Code Sections 2089 and 2089.5)
Evidence of passing the USMLE Steps 1, 2, 3 (CK), 2 (CS)
Pass the background check (CA-DOJ and FBI)
Obtain a US Social Security Number

We will be reviewing applications September 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025 for the July 1, 2025 slot and July 1, 2026 Slot.

Contact Us

For additional information or questions, contact our IBD Program Coordinator:

gastrofellowship@health.ucsd.edu