Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fellowship

Program Description

The inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) fellowship at the University of Colorado is a one-year intensive training experience in the management of complex IBD at the University of Colorado Crohn’s and Colitis Center. Applicants must have successfully completed, or be in good standing at, an accredited gastroenterology fellowship in the United States or are recent graduates of an accredited internal medicine residency program and are planning to matriculate into a general gastroenterology fellowship upon completion of the program. Upon completion of the IBD Fellowship, the graduate fellow will be ready for independent practice as an IBD specialist. Emphasis will be placed on the inpatient and outpatient management of both average risk and complicated IBD, development of clinical and/or translational research projects, and mentorship towards a goal of establishing a successful IBD clinical practice.

The IBD fellowship is located at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado—a suburb of Denver, Colorado. The IBD fellow will rotate with core faculty at our dedicated outpatient center, will lead the inpatient IBD service at the University of Colorado Hospital under the supervision of IBD faculty, and will participate in endoscopy at the endoscopy lab located within the Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion. Additional clinical rotations with colorectal surgery, pediatric IBD, radiology, and pathology faculty will be allocated. Approximately 30% of time will be focused on research and scholarly activity.

University of Colorado Crohn’s and Colitis Center

The University of Colorado Crohn’s and Colitis Center is a multidisciplinary team of physicians and allied providers focused on providing excellent clinical care and conducting cutting-edge research. With seven IBD physicians, two advanced practice providers, and a dedicated clinical research staff, the Crohn’s and Colitis Center is the largest dedicated IBD center in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States and serves as a major referral center for the region. For more information, visit the Crohn's and Colitis Center Webpage

​Learning Objectives:

The learning objectives of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fellowship were designed to address the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (CCF) task force’s Entrustable Professional Activities consensus for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fellowship Training in the United States. These Entrustable activities include:

1. Classify IBD phenotype, disease activity, and extraintestinal manifestations.
2. Utilize advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic and radiographic techniques in the management of IBD.
3. Prescribe and manage evidence based IBD therapies utilizing clinical pharmacologic principles in clinical practice.
4. Manage adverse events and complications of IBD and IBD therapies.
5. Manage hospitalized patients with IBD.
6. Manage pre- and post-operative care for IBD patients.
7. Manage IBD in special populations.
8. Recognize the importance of psycho-behavioral health in IBD and implement psychosocial support strategies.
9. Evaluate and manage nutritional health status in IBD patients.
10. Apply preventative health strategies for IBD patients in accordance with guidelines.

     

    
    

Additional Objectives:

1. Evaluate and manage patients with ileal pouches.
2. Understand surgical considerations, techniques, and principles in IBD patients.
3. Understand anticipated future treatments for patients with IBD and where they will fit in the algorithm of IBD treatment.
4. Understand the design, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and recruitment/consent process for pharmaceutical clinical trials.
5. Understand the importance of the IBD multidisciplinary team in decision making and how to use it to maximize the quality of patient care.

Application Information:

Ideal candidates must hold an M.D. or equivalent degree and are recent graduates from an accredited internal medicine residency program or current fellows in their second or third year of GI training or recent graduates committed to developing a specialized expertise in IBD with a goal of continuing onto a career devoted to the care of patients with IBD.

We are now accepting applications for fellowship which will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We are now currently accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year to start on July 1st, 2025.

In addition to completion of the application below, the following additional documents will be required:

1. Current CV
2. Three letters of recommendation supporting your application for advanced training in IBD including a letter of good standing from your current Program Director
3. Personal statement detailing your interest in IBD and reasons for pursuing advanced fellowship training

Colorado IBD Fellowship Application Form

Upon completion of all application requirements candidates will have the opportunity to further interview with University of Colorado IBD faculty.

Please send completed applications and documents to: Waseem Ahmed, M.D. Waseem.Ahmed@cuanschutz.edu