Aerodigestive Medicine Fellowship

For nearly 160 years, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) – the nation’s first pediatric hospital – has provided exceptional healthcare for children. The hospital’s mission to advance pediatric healthcare worldwide includes more than excellence in patient care and breakthrough research, but also advocacy and education for future generations of medical professionals.

To further support of these goals, CHOP has launched a new 1-year Aerodigestive Medicine Fellowship Program – the first of its kind in a pediatric hospital – geared to physicians who wish to advance their training after a 3-year general gastroenterology fellowship. Leadership for this new program includes Pediatric Gastroenterologists Michael A. Manfredi, MD, and Matthew J. Ryan, MD.

Program goals

The primary goal of the Aerodigestive Medicine Fellowship is to train physicians in aerodigestive medicine. Fellows will complete their fellowship training proficient in diagnosing, treating and managing patients with all types of aerodigestive conditions that affect the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems in children.

Fellows will participate in clinical rotations in the:

Esophageal and Airway Treatment (EAT) Program and Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders 6 to 7 days a month
Operating room and procedural rooms 5 to 7 days a month.

All clinical rotations will take place on CHOP’s Philadelphia campus. Patients may be seen in the Kohl’s GI Nutrition and Diagnostic Center, Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care, and CHOP’s Main Hospital building.

Fellowship training will focus on:

Understanding clinical pathways for diagnosing and managing different aerodigestive conditions
Becoming proficient in diagnostic upper GI endoscopy in the setting of a triple scope
Interpret GI endoscopic findings in conjunction with the findings found on bronchoscopy and laryngoscopy
Learn advanced endoscopic procedures such as esophageal stenting, esophageal dilation, esophageal wound vac placement and endoscopic incisions of strictures
Become proficient in interpreting esophageal manometry and impedance results
Learn how to perform unsedated transnasal endoscopy when appropriate

Research expectations

CHOP GI fellowship programs offer a rich research environment that includes rigorous laboratory and clinical research training under the guidance of faculty from the division, including Drs. Ryan and Manfredi.

Aerodigestive Medicine fellows will also participate in clinical research projects and be responsible for some resident and fellow teaching. Fellows will participate in general GI conferences and staff meetings as well.

Requirements

This 1-year advanced fellowship is open to candidates who have successfully completed an ACGME-accredited Pediatric Gastroenterology fellowship (or Canadian equivalent), who meet the eligibility requirements for a Pennsylvania unrestricted medical license, and, if applicable, for a J1 or H1B visa sponsorship. Only one fellowship is available each year.

How to apply

Prospective fellows are encouraged to contact Tiffany Bond, Fellowship Coordinator, at bondT1@chop.edu or 215-590-3247, before Dec. 1. Selected applicants will be interviewed by Program Directors Dr. Manfredi and/or Dr. Ryan. A group interview may also take place and may include staff from the Esophageal and Airway Treatment Program and Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders.

Other requirements

To carry out its mission, it is of critical importance for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to keep our patients, families and workforce safe and healthy and to support the health of our global community. In keeping with this, CHOP has mandated all workforce members (including trainees) on site at any CHOP location for any portion of their time be vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

This mandate also applies to workforce members or trainees performing work for CHOP at non-CHOP locations. Additionally, all workforce members based in or regularly scheduled to work at any New Jersey location are mandated to be both vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19, with booster timing consistent with applicable guidelines. The CHOP COVID-19 vaccine mandate is in alignment with applicable local, state and federal mandates. CHOP also requires all workforce members and trainees who work in patient care buildings or who provide patient care to receive an annual influenza vaccine. Employees may request exemption consideration for CHOP vaccine requirements for valid religious and medical reasons. Please note start dates may be delayed until candidates are fully immunized, or valid exemption requests are reviewed. In addition, candidates other than those in positions with regularly scheduled hours in New Jersey, must attest to not using tobacco products.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected category. CHOP is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor seeking priority referrals for protected veterans.

CHOP is committed to building an inclusive culture where employees feel a sense of belonging, connection, and community within their workplace. We are a team dedicated to fostering an environment that allows for all to be their authentic selves. We are focused on attracting, cultivating, and retaining diverse talent who can help us deliver on our mission to be a world leader in the advancement of healthcare for children.

We strongly encourage all candidates of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.