Gastroenterology & Hepatology Fellowship Program at Cook County Health

Mission Statement

To empower the next generation of gastroenterologists to thrive in private practice as well as academia, ensuring they deliver the highest level of patient care.

We foster a collaborative environment that values mentorship, innovation and continuous learning.

We are aligned with the mission of our healthcare system, which is to provide the world’s best health care to all residents of Cook County, regardless of their ability to pay. 

Cook County Health is among the largest public healthcare systems in the country. One of the benefits of doing fellowship here is the sheer number of uncommon and unusual pathologies that one encounters. Our program provides fellows with the opportunity to gain extensive experience in Endoscopy through a high volume of procedures. In addition, it is one of the few programs in the nation that provides significant hands-on training in ERCP during the three-year fellowship. We have expert faculty with special interest in Motility, IBD and Interventional endoscopy, who will provide the fellows with outstanding clinical and academic experience in various aspects of Gastroenterology. Our program is affiliated with Rush University Medical Center. This collaboration allows fellows to learn from an even more diverse pool of patients and also gives them the opportunity to rotate with Liver Transplant service.

Our 3-year ACGME accredited fellowship program stands out for its comprehensive approach to Gastroenterology and Hepatology training. We have a proven track record of producing highly successful physicians who are leaders in their respective areas of practice. Graduates of our fellowship program are now members of faculties, Department Heads and Program Directors at some of the leading academic medical centers throughout the U.S., as well as highly accomplished gastroenterologists who are instrumental in providing their skilled services to the community.

There are three fellowship positions each year. All are clinical, but research is encouraged, and each fellow will be provided with ample opportunities for research.

Program Contact

Vikram Kotwal, MD

Program Director

[email protected]

Francetta Hampton, MHA

Fellowship Coordinator

[email protected]

Applications

Application Process

The Division of Gastroenterology at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County accepts fellowship applications from candidates who will be completing/have completed a 3-year ACGME accredited internal medicine residency and are board certified/eligible at the time of starting Fellowship in Gastroenterology.

The Gastroenterology Fellowship Program participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), and we abide by its regulations and deadlines.

    You can apply to our program via ERAS. All application packets must include:

    1. Three letters of recommendation
    2. Copies of USMLE scores
    3. Personal Statement
    4. Medical School Transcripts
    5. Curriculum Vitae

    We follow the ERAS timeline

    Meet Our Fellows

    Name Education
    Robert Kwei-Nsoro, MD
    • Undergraduate: University of Ghana
    • Medical School: University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry
    • Residency: John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL
    Rober Kwei-Nsoro
    Edwin Wang, MD
    • Undergraduate: New York University, NY
    • Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
    • Residency: University of Washington School of Medicine
    Edwin Wang
    Sania Saleem, MD
    • Undergraduate: King Edward Medical University, Pakistan
    • Medical School: King Edward Medical University, Pakistan
    • Residency: John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL
    Sania Saleem
    Name Education
    Eric Zhao, MD
    • Undergraduate: The College of New Jersey, NJ
    • Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
    • Residency: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson
    Eric Zhao
    Helen Lyo, MD
    • Undergraduate: New York University, NY
    • Medical School: SUNY at Downstate/ Brooklyn College of Medicine
    • Residency: Boston Medical Center
    Helen Lyo
    Hisham Laswi, MD
    • Undergraduate: University of Jordan
    • Medical School: University of Jordan Faculty of Medicine
    • Residency: John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL
    Hisham Laswi
    Name Education
    Lanxin Li, MD
    • Undergraduate: Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
    • Medical School: New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
    • Residency: Stony Brook Teaching Hospital, Stony Brook, NY
    Lanxin Li
    Charles Du, MD
    • Undergraduate: Harvard College, Cambridge, MA
    • Medical School: University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
    • Residency: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
    Charles Du
    Hassam Shah, MD
    • Undergraduate: Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL
    • Medical School: Chicago Medical School of Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL
    • Residency: John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL
    Hassam Shah
    Gastroenterology & Hepatology Fellowship
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    CCH Holiday Hours

    Stroger Hospital and Provident Hospital are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911, or go to your nearest emergency department.

    CCH Health Centers will be open limited hours for the holidays.

    Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 28, 2024: CLOSED

    Christmas Eve – Tuesday, December 24, 2024: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

    Christmas Day – Wednesday, December 25, 2024: CLOSED

    New Year’s Eve – Tuesday, December 31, 2024: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

    New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1, 2025: CLOSED