Educational Conferences

Overview

The Henry Ford Gastroenterology Fellowship curriculum is designed to prepare fellows for independent practice as skilled consultants in gastroenterology and hepatology. The goal is for each fellow to graduate with the endoscopic expertise, clinical judgment, and cognitive skills necessary to excel in either academic or community practice.

Our didactic curriculum complements hands-on training by honing clinical reasoning, deepening understanding of core concepts, and preparing fellows for success on the ABIM Gastroenterology Certification Exam.

A variety of conferences are led by GI fellows, faculty, and multidisciplinary collaborators in pathology and radiology. Didactic time is fully protected, and fellows are excused from clinical duties to ensure participation in all educational sessions.

Clinical Updates

This recurring conference series focuses on the key topics in gastroenterology and hepatology. Presentations are delivered by both fellows and faculty and cover the pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation, and management of core gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases.

Pathology Conference Series

Led by one of our core faculty members in collaboration with the Department of Pathology, this conference integrates clinical cases and histopathologic slides to illustrate key findings encountered in GI and hepatology practice. Fellows are encouraged to interpret slides and provide preliminary impressions before discussion with attending pathologists who offer expert insight and teaching.

Journal Club

In Journal Club, fellows conduct an in-depth appraisal of a selected journal article under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Emphasis is placed on understanding study design, statistical methodology, and the internal and external validity of findings. This forum promotes evidence-based practice and critical thinking.

Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) Conference

The M&M conference fosters a culture of patient safety and continuous improvement. Fellows present and analyze cases involving adverse outcomes, identifying system-level and clinical contributors and proposing strategies for improvement. Quality improvement principles are applied throughout case discussions.

Grand Rounds

Our Grand Rounds series features distinguished internal and invited external speakers addressing cutting-edge and clinically relevant topics across the spectrum of gastroenterology and hepatology. These sessions highlight emerging advances, new technologies, and evolving standards of care.

IBD Lecture Series

Organized by our Inflammatory Bowel Disease faculty, this lecture series provides an in-depth review of IBD management. Sessions are led by third-year GI fellows and IBD faculty, fostering advanced clinical and procedural understanding.

Topics include:

• Diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
• Extraintestinal manifestations of IBDIBD and pregnancy
• Therapeutic drug monitoring
• Medication safety and adverse events
• Interventional IBD techniques

Advanced GI Lecture Series

This series, led by our Advanced Endoscopy faculty, explores complex topics in pancreaticobiliary and therapeutic endoscopy. Lectures are delivered by the advanced endoscopy fellow, senior GI fellows, and advanced endoscopy attendings.

Core content includes:

• Pancreaticobiliary pathology
• Endoluminal stenting
• Bariatric endoscopy
• Endo-hepatology
• Complex polypectomy

Board Review

The Board Review series reinforces essential knowledge to ensure fellows are well prepared for the ABIM Gastroenterology Certification Exam. Sessions use practice questions, case-based teaching, and audience participation through interactive polling to emphasize high-yield concepts and reinforce clinical reasoning.

Practice of Medicine

The Practice of Medicine series is one of the fellowship’s newest and most popular educational initiatives. This series provides fellows with the practical skills and insight necessary for long-term professional success. Led by four faculty members, it focuses on early-career development and the transition to independent practice.

Topics include:

• Employment models and practice settings
• Interviewing and contract negotiation
• Personal finance and investing
• Professional growth and career strategy