Specialty: Gastroenterology

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MD2B Connect Physician ID # 104

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Where will this rotation take place: This combined outpatient and inpatient US clinical experience will take place in Los Angeles. 

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Hours: Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM

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Hours have been provided by the preceptor. Hours are subject to change at the preceptor’s discretion, but the minimum total hours will remain approximately the same.

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What you will do: (Please note that this rotation will strictly be an observership) You will be under the supervision of a physician board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. He has over 15 years of experience in the evaluation and management of a wide range of digestive disorders, and is known for his caring personality. He holds hospital privileges at St. Joseph Hospital of Orange and Hoag Hospital. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 

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He stays current with the latest technological advances in gastroenterology, and utilizes these techniques for optimal diagnosis and treatment. You will see patients in his office, at St. Joseph Hospital of Orange, and several surgery centers. You will spend 5-10 hours per week in the hospital. He also oversees a medical weight loss program which learners can observe. 

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He believes in keeping his learners engaged and active (please note that this experience remains within the regulations of California pertaining to the unlicensed practice of medicine. Rotators will not be practicing medicine but will be learning under the guidance of the physician preceptor). After a few days of observation, you will take on an increasing role in patient encounters and learn the following under the preceptor’s supervision:​

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• Seeing patients with the preceptor at his office

• Accompany the preceptor to St. Joseph Hospital of Orange to perform new patient consultations and follow-up old patients.

• Observe GI procedures, including EGD, colonoscopy, and ERCP

• Help the physician write progress and procedure notes

• Review important GI articles and present these articles to the preceptor 2-3/week

• You will work with other healthcare professionals, including nurse practitioners, GI nurses, and preoperative and postoperative nurses

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The activities above will mostly take place in the outpatient setting. As a result of hospital policies, inpatient activities will be more observational.

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You will receive regular feedback on your performance. 

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Although this position is largely clinical, there may be opportunities to work on projects in the preceptor's office. The availability of these projects is at the preceptor's discretion.

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​Who should consider this rotation: International medical graduates (IMGs) and students seeking careers in family medicine or internal medicine will find this rotation particularly useful. 

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How to obtain a letter of recommendation: The rotator should ask the preceptor for a LOR near the conclusion of the rotation. Dr. Desai has provided the physician with guidelines about best practices in letter writing that meet residency program requirements. In some cases, the preceptor may ask the rotator to write a letter of recommendation draft. 

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During the rotation: Our team will be checking in periodically with you to ensure that you are having an optimal experience. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions during the rotation.

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See Where Our Students Applying to Internal Medicine Have Received Interviews or Matched

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Read Dr. Desai's Interview with Dr. Roy Ziegelstein (Vice Dean for Education at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Former Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center) about How to Match Successfully in Internal Medicine