Gastroenterology Fellowship Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many residencies and fellowship programs does Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) sponsor?

A: LVHN is one of the largest graduate medical education environments in Pennsylvania, sponsoring 16 ACGME-accredited residencies and 29 ACGME-accredited, and non-accredited, fellowships.

Q: How many trainees are there at LVHN?

A: In June 2024, there were 378 trainees at LVHN.

Q: Will the recent merger between LVHN and Jefferson Health have any direct effect on the graduate medical education environment at LVHN?

A: On Aug. 1, 2024, LVHN and Jefferson Health merged to create a leading integrated academic health care delivery system and one of the most robust graduate medical education environments in the nation. Although we look forward to the opportunity for collaboration, LVHN will continue to function as an independent training environment. This will include continued training of our residents in LVHN hospitals and clinics by our committed faculty. There is no plan to condense, close or combine training programs within the LVHN-Jefferson enterprise.

Q: Does LVHN sponsor visas for international medical graduates (IMGs)?

A: Diversity remains a focus of all training programs at LVHN. Several of our residencies and fellowships will sponsor visas for well-qualified international medical graduates. Please check, or reach out to, specific programs for details.

Q: Is clinical or research experience required to apply for graduate medical training at LVHN?

A: LVHN is a scholarly community that values clinical and research experience in our candidates for residencies and fellowships. Having participated in such activities may strengthen your application, but it is not a prerequisite when applying.

Q: Does LVHN offer clinical shadowing, observerships or research externships?

A: LVHN is making efforts to allow candidates who may have interest in our educational programs the opportunity to spend time in our clinical environment. Several programs will support shadowing, observerships and possible externships spanning from 1-4 weeks. Please check, or reach out to, specific programs for details.

Q: Does LVHN allow for international rotations and experiences?

A: LVHN recognizes the value, and supports, international rotations and experiences for trainees. The approval of international rotations is predicated on the educational value and trainee safety during the experience. Please check, or reach out to, specific programs for details and policies on international rotations.