Gastroenterology & Hepatology Fellowship Program at Cook County Health
The Gastroenterology fellowship program at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County Hospital offers a comprehensive three-year curriculum program that is designed to prepare fellows for the Gastroenterology Board Examination, ensuring they become excellent clinicians and competent endoscopists.
The program is affiliated with Rush University Medical Center. It provides the trainees with exceptional clinical experience through exposure to a wide variety of diverse and complex clinical cases.
Additionally, it is one of the few programs in the nation that offers training in ERCP during the three-year fellowship. Fellows will receive their training in a state-of-the-art facility at John H. Stroger Jr Hospital of Cook County.
“Our outstanding faculty are dedicated to providing fellows with rich and robust training through hands-on patient care, innovative research, and dynamic teaching opportunities in a variety of clinical settings. Fellows will gain the skills and mentorship needed to succeed as future leaders in the field.”
Our 3-year ACGME-accredited fellowship program stands out for its comprehensive approach to Gastroenterology and Hepatology training. Graduates from our program have gone on to hold positions as faculty members, department heads, and program directors at academic medical centers across the U.S. Additionally, many have become successful practicing gastroenterologists, offering their expertise to the community. We are proud to report a 100% passing rate on the GI Boards for our fellows.
Program Contact
Ayokunle Abegunde, MD
Division Chair
Vikram Kotwal, MD
Program Director
Hemant Mutneja, MD
Associate Program Director
Francetta Hampton, MHA
Fellowship Coordinator
Applications
Application Process
The Division of Gastroenterology at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County accepts fellowship applications from candidates who are eligible to take the American Board Examination in Internal Medicine at the time of starting the Fellowship in Gastroenterology.
Our Gastroenterology Fellowship Program participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), adhering to its regulations and deadlines.
You can apply to our program via ERAS. All application packets must include the following:
- Three letters of recommendation
- Copies of USMLE scores
- A personal statement
- Medical school transcripts
- A curriculum vitae
Please note that we follow the ERAS timeline for application submissions.
Curriculum
The main focus of this program is clinical training. Over three years, fellows will gain the comprehensive knowledge needed to become subspecialists in gastroenterology and hepatology. Because this field has grown significantly over the past two decades, our training program has expanded to ensure that fellows gain experience and proficiency in the clinical skills and techniques expected of a well-rounded, skilled consultant capable of providing optimal patient care.
Fellows will gain an in-depth understanding of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic disorders. Additionally, our trainees will receive extensive training in endoscopy, along with further education in motility and nutrition. Each fellow will have the opportunity to participate in clinical research. We are committed to offering an exceptional training experience that equips our fellows with the educational and technical skills needed to become highly qualified clinical gastroenterologists with advanced GI endoscopic expertise.
Our fellows train in a state-of-the-art facility equipped with the latest technology, including Olympus scopes and the newest EVIS X1 processors. We have also integrated advanced AI tools, such as GI Genius, to ensure our fellows are exposed to the most recent innovations in the field. All trainees have access to comprehensive training in standard endoscopic procedures, as well as simulations and more advanced techniques. These include therapeutic endoscopy, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), SpyGlass Direct Visualization System for cholangioscopy, Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), Video Capsule Endoscopy, Single Balloon Enteroscopy, Halo-RFA management for Barrett’s Esophagus, EndoFlip, High-Resolution Manometry, and pH monitoring. During the second and third years of the fellowship, our fellows receive additional training in ERCP and other therapeutic endoscopic procedures. As a result, they often attain the necessary competence within the three-year fellowship period, obviating the need for a fourth year. Additionally, fellows receive training in hepatology and biliary disorders through consultation rotations and participation in GI and Liver Clinics.
Through our affiliation with Rush University Medical Center, we conduct weekly combined Grand Rounds. This partnership provides our trainees with broader exposure to all aspects of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. By the end of their training, our fellows are expected to demonstrate sufficient professional ability to practice independently and competently.
Meet Our Fellows
3rd Year Fellows
| Name | Education | |
| Robert Kwei-Nsoro, MD Chief Fellow |
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| Edwin Wang, MD |
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Sania Saleem, MD |
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Mohamed Boshnaf, MD |
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2nd Year Fellows
| Name | Education | |
| Grecia Santaella-Mendez, MD |
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| Daksh Ahluwalia, MD |
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| Mihir Shah, MD |
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1st Year Fellows
| Name | Education | |
| Patricia Gulino-Zarza, MD |
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| Mitchelle Zolotarevsky, MD |
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| Tarek Jaber, DO |
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Ayokunle Abegunde, MD, MSc | Division Chair |
Seema Gandhi, MD | Medical Director Digestive and Metabolic Health Service Line |
Vikram Kotwal, MD | Fellowship Program Director |
Hemant Mutneja, MD | Associate Program Director |
Oscar Rivas-Chicas, MD | |
Anas Almoghrabi, MD | |
Amit Patel, MD | |
Mohamed Elkhouly, MD, MSc | |
Omar Ahmed, MD | |
Parth Thaker, MD | |
Ikechukwu(“Ike”) Achebe, MD | |
Sabine Dupiton, PA | |
Yun Hwa Chang, PA | |
Jolly Kuncheria, APN | |
Grace Eneogwe, APN | |
Pamela Buchana | Administrative Analyst |
Francetta Hampton, MHA | Fellowship Coordinator |
Frida Abrahamian, MD |
Benjamin Go, MD |
Melchor Demetria, MD |
Bashar Attar, MD |
GI Educational Conferences
- Clinical Case Conference
- Pathology Conference
- GI Journal Club
- GI and Hepatology Grand Rounds
- Research Conference









