The advanced therapeutic endoscopy program focuses mainly in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) training. Fellows will also be actively participating in other diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as enteral stenting, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), video capsule endoscopy (VCE), balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) and double-balloon-ERCP (DBE-ERCP) procedures. The program also involves active participation in research in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.

Candidates for the Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy Fellowship must have completed two years of Gastroenterology Subspecialty training. Our goal is to produce a consultant sub-specialist who is an expert in the field of advanced endoscopy and is competent in managing most of the clinical problems presented in the field. With our Division's strong commitment to academic medicine, our objective is to train physicians who have sound academic tools in addition to technical skills. To accomplish this, clinical research is expected with a commitment to undertaking a research project with the aim of publishing a paper as well as one or two abstracts from related or other projects.

Although the Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy Fellowship at the University of Alberta is a one-year program, there is sometimes an option to continue as a research fellow with more exposure to balloon-assisted enteroscopy and video capsule procedures for an additional year. To attain the stated objectives, the trainee will work in close collaboration with the therapeutic endoscopy group at the UAH: Dr. Gurpal Sandha (EUS, ERCP, Spyglass), Dr. Sergio Zepeda-Gomez (ERCP, DBE-ERCP, BAE) and Dr. Richard Sultanian (ERCP, complex polypectomies). Other experienced endoscopists involved in the program include Dr. Gurpal Sandha (EUS), Dr. Brendan Halloran (BAE) and Dr. Vincent Bain (ERCP).

Each year we accept a maximum of two successful candidates into this advanced fellowship program; spots are competitive and we recommend applying early in the application cycle.