Fellowship Details & Requirements

Our GME Office has preliminary eligibility requirements that all prospective trainees must meet before applying for a training program at our institution. In addition to these criteria, our program also includes the following requirements:

• Applicants must have completed a general GI fellowship and be board-eligible or certified in gastroenterology. U.S. candidates must have completed a three-year ACGME-accredited gastroenterology fellowship training program, be American board eligible or certified, and have documented competence in general routine endoscopic procedures.
• International candidates must have completed a three-year ACGME-accredited GI fellowship training and/or three-year endoscopy fellowship training program, funded from their home institution, must have completed USMLE steps 1 & 2, and have documented competence in general routine endoscopic procedures
• Applicants submit their application and required documents through the ASGE website. UT MD Anderson requires international medical graduates to meet requirements for an institutional permit as outlined by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, as well as the documents necessary for a J-1 visa.

The following items are required for program applicants:

• Personal statement
• Curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty members
• Letter of good standing from current program
• USMLE board scores
• Medical school diploma in its original language, as well as in English (copied and notarized, stating that it is a true copy of the original)
• Medical school transcript in its original language, as well as in English (copied and notarized, stating that it is a true copy of the original)
• ECFMG certificate (copied and notarized) (approximately four to six weeks processing)

The Advanced Fellowship Committee will review the applications when they are completed.  Select applicants considered for the fellowship program will be invited for a formal interview prior to the ASGE match deadline, providing an opportunity to learn more about our program and institution as well as meet with current faculty and fellows. 

Our goal is to provide advanced clinical and endoscopic training in the diagnosis, treatment and management of gastrointestinal disorders. The program will focus particularly on the staging and endoscopic treatment of pre-malignant and malignant conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, and in the management of gastrointestinal complications in oncologic patients.  

We will provide fellows with the clinical skills and acumen necessary to become experts in performing advanced endoscopic procedures with primary focus on ERCP, diagnostic and interventional EUS and enteral stenting in addition to exposure to advanced endoscopic resection techniques.  

Trainees will learn how to effectively manage highly complex and challenging cases from the expertise of leaders in the field. In addition, trainees will have the opportunity to initiate and engage in innovative research projects in therapeutic endoscopy. 

This is a one-year clinical fellowship program in advanced therapeutic endoscopy. The option for a second research year in research may be considered for select candidates.

The curriculum will be comprised of the following major elements:

• Inpatient and outpatient advanced endoscopy consultation services
• Inpatient and outpatient hands-on advanced endoscopic training under the mentorship of expert endoscopic faculty 
• Participation in select conferences, multidisciplinary tumor boards, Morbidity and Mortality meetings, journal club, etc.
• Participation in clinical research projects within the field of therapeutic endoscopy with the opportunity to attend and present at local and national conferences and publish in peer-reviewed gastroenterology journals.
• Active teaching of general gastroenterology fellows, residents and students.

Fellow Supervision

Fellow supervision is available 24/7. Faculty members are available on weekends and evenings, when on call, by phone or pager (24 hours a day).

Duty Hours

The fellow is expected to practice approximately 50 hours in a standard work week (Monday-Friday). No overnight or weekend call duty is required.  

Evaluations

The fellow receives a formal written evaluation and feedback every six months. However, given the one-to-one nature of the training, direct feedback and opportunity improvement are provided on a continuous and active basis. The faculty members and program director will meet and discuss the trainee’s performance and review the trainee's strengths and areas for improvement on a quarterly basis. During this meeting, the program director will fill out a final evaluation form with the combined/averaged data. The trainee may have a copy of the final evaluation.

The trainee will complete a detailed evaluation of the program and make suggestions for corrections or additions to the fellowship every six months. The aim of this evaluation and subsequent meeting to discuss the evaluation is to understand the trainee’s perception of their progress and needs.

Our past trainees have been highly successful in their postgraduate career pursuits, whether academic or in practice. Over half of our alumni entered productive careers in academic practice, and the remaining have been highly successful in clinical practice. Alumni have regularly expressed their gratitude for the high level of training they received. After all, it takes a special heart in order to care for the sickest patients, and a special fellowship training experience to be able to consistently deliver clinical results for the most challenging situations in gastrointestinal endoscopy. 

Publications

1. Wahba, G., Swisher, S.C., & Ge, P.S. (2025). A Footlong Esophageal Polyp. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. (Accepted, In press). 
2. Wahba, G., Liaw, G., Coronel, E., Lee, J.H., & Ge, P.S. (2025). Use of a Novel Therapeutic Endoscope with Expanded Retroflexion Angles for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection. iGIE. (Accepted, In press).
3. Wahba, G., Nehme, F., & Ge, P.S. (2025). Endoscopic Mucosal Resection or Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: Choosing the Right Tool to a Polyp-Free Colon. Current Opinion in Gastroenterology. (Accepted, In press). 
4. Wahba, G., & Lee, J. H. (2025). Updates on therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound. Current Opinion in Gastroenterology, 41(1), 16-28. 

Abstracts

1. Wahba, G., Koutroumpakis, F., Coronel, E., Ge, P.S., Ross, W., Weston, B., &  Lee, J.H. Safety of ERCP in Cancer Patients Taking Long-Acting Anti-VEGF Agents. (In Press, ACG 2025 abstract) 
2. Wahba, G., Gull, S., Vemulapalli, V., Natha, C., Ma, J., Ross, W., Weston, B., Coronel, E., Ge, P.S., & Lee, J.H. Symptoms, Rather Than Imaging, Best Predict ERCP Technical Failure in Gastric Outlet Obstruction.  (In Press, ACG 2025 abstract) 
3. Coronel, E., Wahba, G., Ge, P., …, & Lin, S. Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Injection of NBTXR3 Activated by Radiotherapy With Concurrent Chemotherapy for Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: Interim Analysis of Feasibility and Safety.  (In Press, ACG 2025 abstract) 
4. Matthew, C., Wahba, G., & Lee, J.H. Duodenocaval Fistula: Recognizing Unexpected Etiologies with Endoscopy.  (In Press, ACG 2025 abstract) 
5. Wahba, G., Lee, J.H., & Ge, P. (2025) Can Cryoablation Be Used for Duodenal Adenomas In Familial Adenomatous Polyposis? Safety And Early Efficacy Data from A Tertiary Cancer Centre. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 2025 May 1;101(5):S694. 
6. Wahba, G., Haque, K., Natha, C., Vemulapalli, V., Al-Bustami, I., Gull, S., Weston, B. Coronel, E., Ge, P., Ross W., & Lee, J.H. (2025). EUS-guided Tissue Sampling: Does Trainee Involvement Affect Outcomes? Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 2025 May 1;101(5):S249-50. 
7. Wahba, G., Al-Bustami, I., Haque, K., Natha, C., Vemulapalli, V., Gull, S., Ma, 
J., Ge, P., Ross, W., Weston, B., Coronel, E., & Lee, J.H. (2025). Impending Biliary Obstruction in Pancreatic Cancer On EUS: Should ERCP Be Done Routinely? Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 2025 May 1;101(5):S526.

Please see below for select, recent publications from faculty and fellows.

Biliary drainage in hilar and perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: 25-year experience at a tertiary cancer center.
Al Nakshabandi A, Ali FS, Albustami I, Hwang H, Qiao W, Johnston NC, Shaikh AS, Coronel E, Ge PS, Ross W, Weston B, Lee JH.Gastrointest Endosc. 2024 Jun;99(6):938-949.e15. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2023.12.006. Epub 2023 Dec 12.PMID: 38092128

How much progress have we made?: a 20-year experience regarding esophageal stents for the palliation of malignant dysphagia.
Kumar S, Bahdi F, Emelogu IK, Yu AC, Coronel M, Ge PS, Coronel E, Ajani JA, Weston B, Lynch P, Ross WA, Lee JH.Dis Esophagus. 2022 Jun 15;35(6):doab085. doi: 10.1093/dote/doab085.PMID: 34937091

Efficacy of uncovered colonic stents for extrinsic versus intrinsic malignant large bowel obstruction.
Weston BR, Patel JM, Pande M, Lum PJ, Ross WA, Raju GS, Lynch PM, Coronel E, Ge PS, Lee JH.Surg Endosc. 2021 Aug;35(8):4511-4519. doi: 10.1007/s00464-020-07965-y. Epub 2020 Sep 9.PMID: 32909212

Management of ampullary adenomas in familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome: 16 years of experience from a tertiary cancer center.
Angsuwatcharakon P, Ahmed O, Lynch PM, Lum P, Gonzalez GN, Weston B, Coronel E, Katz MHG, Folloder J, Lee JH.Gastrointest Endosc. 2020 Aug;92(2):323-330. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2020.02.040. Epub 2020 Mar 4.PMID: 32145286

Safety and efficacy of metal stents for malignant colonic obstruction in patients treated with bevacizumab.
Lee JH, Emelogu I, Kukreja K, Ali FS, Nogueras-Gonzalez G, Lum P, Coronel E, Ross W, Raju GS, Lynch P, Thirumurthi S, Stroehlein J, Wang Y, You YN, Weston B.Gastrointest Endosc. 2019 Jul;90(1):116-124. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2019.02.016. Epub 2019 Feb 21.PMID: 30797835

Pancreatic cancer screening in high-risk individuals with germline genetic mutations.
DaVee T, Coronel E, Papafragkakis C, Thaiudom S, Lanke G, Chakinala RC, Nogueras González GM, Bhutani MS, Ross WA, Weston BR, Lee JH.Gastrointest Endosc. 2018 Jun;87(6):1443-1450. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2017.12.019. Epub 2018 Jan 5.PMID: 29309780

Endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection: choosing the right tool to a polyp-free colon.
Wahba GM, Nehme F, Ge PS.Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2025 Oct 14. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000001140. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41086286

A Footlong Esophageal Polyp.
Wahba G, Swisher SG, Ge PS.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2025 Jul 10:S1542-3565(25)00574-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2025.06.027. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40645390 No abstract available.

International, Multicenter Analysis of Endoscopic Full-Thickness Resection of Duodenal Neuroendocrine Tumors.
Wannhoff A, Nabi Z, Moons LMG, Haber G, Ge PS, Dertmann T, Deprez PH, Korcz W, Bouvette C, Mueller J, Tribonias G, Grande G, Kim JJ, Weich A, Heinrich H, Mollenkopf M, George J, Pioche M, Azzolini F, Kouladouros K, Boger P, Hayee B, Bilal M, Bastiaansen BAJ, Caca K; Upper GI FTRD Study Group.Am J Gastroenterol. 2025 Mar 13. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003409. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40079474

Critical updates in neuroendocrine tumors: Version 9 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
Chauhan A, Chan K, Halfdanarson TR, Bellizzi AM, Rindi G, O'Toole D, Ge PS, Jain D, Dasari A, Anaya DA, Bergsland E, Mittra E, Wei AC, Hope TA, Kendi AT, Thomas SM, Flem S, Brierley J, Asare EA, Washington K, Shi C.CA Cancer J Clin. 2024 Jul-Aug;74(4):359-367. doi: 10.3322/caac.21840. Epub 2024 Apr 29.PMID: 38685134 Free PMC article. Review.

Expanding Role of Gastroenterology in the Staging of Digestive Neuroendocrine Tumors: Updates From the American Joint Committee on Cancer Version 9 Cancer Staging System.
Ge PS, Shi C, Asare E, Washington MK, O'Toole D; American Joint Committee on Cancer Expert Panel on Neuroendocrine Tumors.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 Mar;22(3):448-451. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.10.033. Epub 2023 Dec 5.PMID: 38056801 No abstract available.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection of a right colonic polypoid arteriovenous malformation.
Nehme F, Coronel E, Taherian M, Amaratunge HC, Ge PS.VideoGIE. 2023 Mar 6;8(5):208-210. doi: 10.1016/j.vgie.2023.01.002. eCollection 2023 May.PMID: 37197166 Free PMC article.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection using an integrated needle-type knife and insulated-tip knife in a single device.
Nehme F, Armstrong AE, Taherian M, Lynch PM, Richards DM, Casanova DN, Ge PS.VideoGIE. 2023 Feb 9;8(3):96-99. doi: 10.1016/j.vgie.2022.11.013. eCollection 2023 Mar.PMID: 36935802 Free PMC article.

Performance and attitudes toward real-time computer-aided polyp detection during colonoscopy in a large tertiary referral center in the United States.
Nehme F, Coronel E, Barringer DA, Romero LG, Shafi MA, Ross WA, Ge PS.Gastrointest Endosc. 2023 Jul;98(1):100-109.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2023.02.016. Epub 2023 Feb 18.PMID: 36801459

High-Risk Features of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation: Patients for Whom Surgery Should Not Be Delayed.
Bayley EM, Ivy ML, Shewale JB, Ge PS, Antonoff MB, Francis AM, Hofstetter WL, Mehran RJ, Rajaram R, Rice DC, Roth JA, Sepesi B, Vaporciyan AA, Walsh GL, Lee JJ, Louie BE, Swisher SG.Ann Surg. 2023 May 1;277(5):721-726. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000005693. Epub 2022 Sep 2.PMID: 36052678

Driving Quality in Advanced Endoscopy.
Thaker AM, Phan J, Ge PS, Muthusamy VR.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Dec;20(12):2675-2679.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.07.017. Epub 2022 Aug 2.PMID: 35931350 No abstract available.

The conundrum in endoscopic management of duodenal polyps: a tertiary cancer center experience.
Lee JH, Yu AC, Ali FS, Ahmed O, Lynch P, Ge P, Coronel E, Kim M, Coronel M, Folloder J, Katz MHG.Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Jun;16(6):569-576. doi: 10.1080/17474124.2022.2088508. Epub 2022 Jun 16.PMID: 35687675

Full-thickness resection: troubleshooting, tips, and tricks for success in the colorectum.
Kumar S, Coronel MA, Romero LG, Coronel ES, Ge PS.VideoGIE. 2022 Mar 10;7(6):201-204. doi: 10.1016/j.vgie.2022.02.009. eCollection 2022 Jun.PMID: 35686218 Free PMC article.

Advanced Endoscopic Resection Techniques: Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Endoscopic Full-Thickness Resection.
Ge PS, Aihara H.Dig Dis Sci. 2022 May;67(5):1521-1538. doi: 10.1007/s10620-022-07392-0. Epub 2022 Mar 4.PMID: 35246802 Review.

Combination of a dynamic rigidizing overtube and a novel injectable needle-type knife to facilitate colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection.
Coronel M, Coronel E, Romero L, Ge PS.VideoGIE. 2021 Apr 5;6(7):297-300. doi: 10.1016/j.vgie.2021.02.013. eCollection 2021 Jul.PMID: 34278090 Free PMC article.

Permanent endoscopic reversal of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for diagnosis and long-term palliation of pancreatic cancer.
Hakim S, Campbell DR Jr, Coronel E, Bhutani MS, Ikoma N, Ge PS.VideoGIE. 2020 Jun 9;5(8):364-368. doi: 10.1016/j.vgie.2020.04.017. eCollection 2020 Aug.PMID: 32821868 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

The suture pulley countertraction method for challenging rectal endoscopic submucosal dissection.
Ge PS, Angsuwatcharakon P, Chang GJ, Foo WC, Tillman MM, Aihara H.VideoGIE. 2020 Mar 31;5(5):210-212. doi: 10.1016/j.vgie.2020.01.013. eCollection 2020 May.PMID: 32426573 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

A novel clip-band traction device to facilitate colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection and defect closure.
Ge PS, Aihara H.VideoGIE. 2020 Mar 31;5(5):180-186. doi: 10.1016/j.vgie.2020.01.012. eCollection 2020 May.PMID: 32426563 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

Making the transition from endoscopic submucosal dissection fellowship to independent practice: successful ESD of a large near-circumferential rectal lesion.
Ge PS, Aihara H, Thompson CC, Raju GS.VideoGIE. 2020 Feb 11;5(4):159-161. doi: 10.1016/j.vgie.2019.12.014. eCollection 2020 Apr.PMID: 32258849 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

Our trainees have the opportunity to work alongside leading cancer experts at UT MD Anderson and institutions across the Texas Medical Center. Additionally, our trainees receive exceptional support from the fellowship leadership team:  

In addition to gaining unparalleled education and training experience, UT MD Anderson trainees have access to exceptional resources and benefits to help them build meaningful careers and lead fulfilling lives.

Institutional benefits and support

GME trainees’ salary stipends are updated every year based on the ACGME’s recommendations, and because our trainees are considered workforce members, they also enjoy UT MD Anderson’s employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement planning, disability insurance and six weeks of parental leave.

Our GME House Staff Senate offers trainees the opportunity to experience a leadership role in a medical field career, and the institution’s Academic Mentoring Council provides avenues to secure tailored academic mentoring from faculty. Our GME trainees benefit from the extensive support offered to our research trainees, too; they are invited to participate in grant application workshops, apply for pilot grants to support their research ideas and receive monetary awards for securing extramural grant funding.

Trainee wellness is also of utmost importance at UT MD Anderson.

Our trainees have access to UT MD Anderson’s employee networks, fitness center and other wellness resources provided by the institution. Additionally, our Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC), which provides oversight of our accredited programs, regularly assesses our trainees’ needs and implements various initiatives, such as providing free call meals and discounted parking to GME House Staff, to address those gaps. The committee even has a subcommittee entirely dedicated to supporting the wellness of our trainees.

Our efforts to ensure a welcoming and supportive education and training experience have been commended nationally. In 2023, the Office of Graduate Medical Education received the DeWitt C. Baldwin, Jr. Award, a prestigious national award that recognizes our institution for its respectful and supportive environment for delivering medical education and patient care.

Beyond UT MD Anderson

UT MD Anderson’s location has many benefits, too. Our main campus is nestled inside the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical center which boasts about 10 million patient encounters each year. Many of our faculty are involved in interorganizational research collaborations, both within the TMC and across the nation, exposing trainees to groundbreaking advancements in medical care in real time.

Most importantly, the city of Houston is a great place to call home and raise a family. We are one of the most culturally diverse cities in the nation. More than 145 different languages are spoken across the city, placing us behind only New York and Los Angeles. In fact, about 30% of the city’s population speaks a language other than English at home. And, paychecks here stretch farther than most U.S. metro areas, thanks to our low cost of living.

Visit our Why Houston page to learn more about our city’s affordable housing, fine dining, entertainment scene, nationally renowned museums and other great attributes.