Message from Program Director
Welcome to the Westchester Medical Center Gastroenterology Fellowship Program website.
I am the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program Director at Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College, a tertiary and quaternary referral center set on a beautiful wooded campus in the suburbs of New York City. The Valhalla campus comprises the University Hospital, the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, the new Ambulatory Care Pavilion, the Behavioral Health Center and New York Medical College. The Westchester Medical Center Health Network includes nine hospitals on seven campuses throughout the Hudson Valley. Patients come from the Hudson Valley and New York City and are attracted to the outstanding services at WMC.
Our Fellowship is a three-year ACGME-accredited general Gastroenterology Program with a total of seven fellows all on the Valhalla campus. Fellows manage a diverse population of inpatients and outpatients with a full spectrum of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. We offer our fellows evidence-based clinical training in a multi-disciplinary environment, clinical research opportunities, exposure to cutting edge complex endoscopic procedures as well as training and proficiency in a large volume of routine endoscopic procedures. Recent graduates have entered private or academic practice or have pursued an additional year of fellowship in Liver, IBD or Advanced Endoscopy.
We offer accessible and supportive faculty in a highly collegial and close-knit environment with three dedicated advanced endoscopists, a motility expert, IBD specialist, general gastroenterologists, and three transplant hepatologists. We greatly value our fellows’ contributions to our Division, and are very proud of their consistent accomplishments in clinical care, research, and education during fellowship and beyond. Our fellows are committed to lifelong learning and most remain in close contact with us personally and professionally for years after completing their fellowship.
I hope that the information on this website provides you with a helpful overview of our training program, details about our current curriculum and objectives for our fellows, the application process, and an appreciation of the many opportunities for professional and personal growth here at Westchester Medical Center. As you consider your choice of gastroenterology fellowship programs, we hope that your individual goals and priorities will find a good fit here at Westchester. If you have any questions about our program please feel free to contact me or our Program Coordinator, Denise Abreu (Denise.Abreu@wmchealth.org) at 914.493.3554.
Sincerely,
Beth Schorr-Lesnick, MD, FACP, FACG
Fellowship Program Director, Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Associate Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College
Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College
Beth.Schorr-Lesnick2@wmchealth.org
A Message from the Chief of the Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases, Westchester Medical Center and Upham Professor and Division Director, New York Medical College
Program Overview and Curriculum
Gastroenterology Fellowship at Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College
The Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at Westchester Medical College is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and offers exceptional training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Our mission is to prepare fellows for their chosen path in their future career in Gastroenterology. Fellows graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue advanced endoscopy, hepatology, functional GI disease, inflammatory bowel disease or general gastroenterology as a focus. While we endeavor to instill in all our fellows a love for life-long learning and innovation, we are supportive of their career choices in either an academic or private setting. We support a diverse and inclusive environment.
Clinical Site
Westchester Medical Center is a 415-bed academic hospital and the flagship of WMCHealth Network in Valhalla, New York. It is the Hudson Valley region's tertiary and quaternary care and referral hospital, serving more than 2.4 million people. Each year, more than 120,000 patients receive care at Westchester Medical Center in every clinical specialty through the University Hospital, the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, the Ambulatory Care Pavilion (ACP) and the Behavioral Health Center. The Westchester Medical Center Health Network comprises nine hospitals on seven campuses throughout the Hudson Valley. Many residents of New York City northern New Jersey and southern Connecticut are also attracted to the outstanding services at WMC. As the only Liver Transplant Center between New York City and Rochester, WMC provides care to most of the region’s patients with end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.
During training at Westchester Medical Center, fellows manage a diverse population of inpatients and outpatients with the full array of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. The tertiary mission of WMC mandates that advanced endoscopic procedures be offered, currently including ERCP, Spyglass cholangiography, EUS, radiofrequency ablation, endoscopic mucosal resection, gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM), intraluminal stent placement, cyst gastrostomy, endoscopic wound vac management, capsule endoscopy, Bravo pH, esophageal and anorectal manometry and ambulatory impedance testing. We have a spacious four-room Endoscopy Unit, fellows' work room and an eight-story Ambulatory Care Pavilion for outpatient care. Fellows see outpatients in their faculty-supervised Continuity clinic and will work alongside the Faculty in the outpatient Gastroenterology and Hepatology offices in ACP, aided by our universal EMR platform (Cerner).
Fellows see outpatients in their faculty-supervised Continuity Clinic and work alongside the faculty in the outpatient gastroenterology and hepatology offices in ACP, during a dedicated outpatient GI and liver rotation.
In addition to core rotations on the GI consult and inpatient liver transplant service, and the previously mentioned outpatient rotation, fellows will have dedicated endoscopy and elective/research time. They will have the opportunity to tailor their elective months to learn more about focused areas such as nutrition, gastrointestinal motility, bariatric/minimally invasive surgery, colorectal surgery, pancreaticobiliary surgery, specialized endoscopic procedures, GI radiology and clinical research.
Sample 13 Rotation Block Schedule
First Year
-
Inpatient Consultation Service / Inpatient GI Consultation Service (6.5 blocks)
- Inpatient Liver Service (1 block)
- Outpatient GI/Liver Service (3 blocks)
- Endoscopy (1.5 blocks)
- Elective/Research (1 block)
- Vacation (1 month embedded)
- Half-day/week Continuity Clinic
Second Year
- Inpatient GI Consultation Service (2.5 - 3 blocks)
- Inpatient Liver Service (2.5 - 3 blocks)
- Endoscopy (3.5 - 4 blocks)
- Elective/Research (2 blocks)
- Vacation (1 month embedded)
- Half-day/week Continuity Clinic
Third Year
-
Inpatient GI Consultation Service (2.5 blocks)
- Inpatient Liver Service (1.5 blocks)
- Endoscopy (4.5 blocks)
- Outpatient GI/Liver Service (2 blocks)
- Elective/Research (2.5 blocks)
- Vacation (1 month embedded)
- Half-day/week Continuity Clinic
Education
The fellowship program offers a rich portfolio of didactic and interactive learning experiences for fellows.
- Grand Rounds
- Quality Initiatives in Endoscopy
- Pathophysiology Seminars
- Case Presentation Conference
- Variety of guest lectures from other departments and other institutions
- Research/QI Presentations
- Luminal and Liver Pathology
- GI Radiology
- Best of ACG/DDW
- Journal Club
- ACG Educational Universe Series
- Endoscopy Learning Sessions
- IBD Multidisciplinary Conference
- Introduction to research at WMC/NYMC
- Liver Transplant Recipient Review
- GI and Liver Tumor Boards
- Fellows Wellness and Career Development Club
Additionally, fellows are provided virtual learning opportunities though WMC and our professional societies.
Weekly Gastroenterology Grand Rounds
Our Adult and Pediatric Gastroenterology fellows, multi-disciplinary WMC faculty members, and guest speakers deliver Grand Rounds presentations. Each fellow presents one Grand Rounds Pathophysiology Seminar annually on an approved topic of their choice, multiple case presentations, research/QI presentations, Best of ACG and DDW and presents at our Quality Initiatives in Endoscopy sessions.
Monthly Journal Club
During these conferences, faculty members and fellows review and discuss high impact GI and Liver research publications and guidelines from the New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, etc.
Fellows Club
Fellows Club meets approximately three times a year to discuss topics such as: Job Hunting, Emotional and Physical Well-Being, Financial Literacy/Advancement to Society Fellowship.
Weekly Didactics
Our didactic program is Fellow-designed (aside from Journal Club and Fellows Club) and includes:
- ACG Educational Universe Series
- Endoscopy Learning Sessions
- IBD Multidisciplinary Conference
- Introduction to research at WMC/NYMC
Gastroenterology and Liver Pathology Conference
Pathology Conference is held twice a year during Grand Rounds.
During this conference the senior fellows present interesting clinical cases in conjunction with a pathologist for review of the histo-pathology. This is an opportunity for the fellows and faculty to learn to diagnose and recognize common pathological conditions within our subspecialty.
Research and Publications
Fellows are required to design and write a Clinical Research Review article manuscript or a Quality Improvement project and execute the project during their years in training. In addition, our fellows must write at least one poster or abstract published or accepted at the Annual Scientific meetings sponsored by the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and/or American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
Fellows receive introductory lectures on how to navigate IRB process and how to initiate research projects.
Class of 2024
Anila Kumar, DO
I was born and raised in New Jersey but ventured to the Midwest for undergrad at the University of Michigan where I spent my Saturdays in the Big House. I moved back to New Jersey for medical school at Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine. Trying to get closer to the city, I completed residency at Westchester Medical Center followed by a chief year. I am fortunate enough to be staying at WMC, my home away from home, to complete GI fellowship. Outside of the hospital, you can find me brunching in the city, adding new countries to my travel list, biking and hiking or cuddled under a blanket with a good book.
Medical School: Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Westchester Medical Center
Chief Residency: Westchester Medical Center
Amanda Rupert, MD
Amanda lived all over the Western US growing up (Washington State, Texas, and Colorado). She completed her undergraduate education in biology at Cornell University and went on to attend Weill Cornell Medical College in Manhattan. She stayed in New York to complete her internal medicine residency at Columbia University. She is now thrilled to pursue the next step of her medical training at Westchester Medical Center. She plans to develop a career in academic medicine with a focus on medical education. In her free time, she loves exploring New York with her husband and two sons, hunting for the best playgrounds, and trying new restaurants.
Medical School: Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Residency: New York Presbyterian Hospital
Jakob Saidman, MD
Jakob was raised in Kingston, PA, in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He studied mathematics at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, before moving to Manhattan and Philadelphia. He went to medical school at the Geisinger School of Medicine in Scranton, PA. He spent his intern year at Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond, VA, and finished his last two years of residency at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Within gastroenterology, his area of interest is inflammatory bowel disease. In his free time, he enjoys working out, going to concerts, and watching Philadelphia sports teams.
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Residency: Temple University Hospital
Class of 2025
Zilan Xuefei Lin, MD
Zilan was born in China and moved to the US after completing middle school. Initially, ZIlan planned a career in Finance and double majored in International Business and Finance. After working as a broker assistant for a year and earned her series 7 License, Zilan decided to go for medicine. Following one year of an Orthopedic Surgery Research Fellowship and two years of General Surgery residency training, she entered the Internal Medicine Residency at WMC. She is very excited to be able to continue her training at WMC for her GI Fellowship. Outside of work, Zilan loves trying new things (ice climbing, mountain climbing, hang gliding, wakeboarding, archery, gold driving range, go kart, axe throwing, swimming with the pig, ice hotel / ice bar, US open tennis game, NBA game, Broadway, concerts), eating out with friends, and travelling.
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Residency: Westchester Medical Center
Agnieszka Nagorna, MD
Aga was born in Poland and moved to the tri-state area at a young age. She studied Economics at Wellesley College in Massachusetts before deciding to pursue medicine and completed a Post-Baccalaureate at Columbia University. She attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine followed by her residency in Internal Medicine at The Mt. Sinai Hospital. Aga is very excited to become part of the Westchester Medical Center community for her Gastroenterology Fellowship. Outside of the hospital, she loves exploring new restaurants and visiting new countries.
Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Residency: Mt. Sinai Hospital
Class of 2026
Aaron H. Lit, MD
Aaron was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, CA. He completed his undergraduate degree in molecular biology and public health at UC Berkeley prior to moving to Westchester County, NY for medical school at New York Medical College. He completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Southern California. He is thrilled to return to New York for his GI training. Outside of medicine, Aaron enjoys traveling, learning new songs on the piano, and snowboarding.
Aaron Schluger, MD
Aaron was born in New York City and raised in Westchester. He is very excited to continue his training in gastroenterology at Westchester Medical Center. Aaron possesses an interest in gardening and nature conservation. He has long enjoyed spending time on the water or by the beach. He received a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University and an MD from Columbia University.
Gastroenterology Graduates
Class of 2023
Cynthia E. Cohen, MD
Attending – Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY
Michael S. Rosman, MD
Manhattan Gastroenterology in NYC
Class of 2022
Aaron Weiss, MD
GastroHealth Delray Beach, FL
Zahava Farkas, DO
South Shore Digestive Care, New Hyde Park, NY
Class of 2021
Mehtap Canastar, MD
Hanover Gastroenterology Wilmington, NC
Sarah Olivier, MD
Attending Griffin Faculty Physicians, Griffin Hospital Derby, CT
Frederick Yick, MD
Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, NJ
Class of 2020
Asritha Lakshmi Gollapudi, MD
Attending: Advanced Physician Services, Westchester Medical Center/HealthAlliance Hospital, Kingston, NY with Advanced Endoscopy training
Dhruv Mehta, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Attending, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, TX
Class of 2019
Benjamin Barbash, MD
GI Health Specialists, Trumbull, CT
Shalom Frager, MD
Transplant Hepatology Fellowship, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
Transplant Hepatology Attending at Montefiore Medical Center
Class of 2018
Jonathan Barsa, MD
Albany Gastroenterology Consultants, Albany, NY
Dana Berg, MD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fellowship, New York University School of Medicine, NY
Director, IBD Westchester Medical Center Valhalla, NY
Priyanka Chugh, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Queens, NY
Digestive Disease Center of CT, Waterbury, CT
Class of 2017
Vipin Mittal, MD
Presbyterian Hospital at Albuquerque, New Mexico
Tyson Collazo, MD
Attending SUNY Stonybrook
Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology in Harrisburg, PA
Class of 2016
Yuriy Israel, MD
Gastroenterology and Nutrition, P.C., Forest Hills, NY
Mitesh Bhalala, MD
Gastroentrointestinal Specialists, Brockton, Massachusetts
Class of 2015
Maria Kassab, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, Bronx, NY
Ayesha Zahiruddin, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine Brooklyn VA - SUNY Downstate, NY
Ashley Marinino, MD
Gastroenterology Associates, Vermont
Class of 2014
Amy Tyberg, MD
Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY (Class of 2015)
Assistant Professor of Medicine Advanced Endoscopy Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, NJ
Chau Che, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Faculty
Edward Lebovics, MD
Upham Professor of Gastroenterology
Director, Sarah C. Upham Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases, New York Medical College
Chief, Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases, Westchester Medical Center
Edward Lebovics, MD, is the Sarah C. Upham Professor of Gastroenterology. Dr. Lebovics has been the Director of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases since 1997. He currently serves as President of the Medical Executive Committee at WMC and on the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate at NYMC. He has directed the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program from 1997 to 2017. His achievements have been recognized by a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition and by election to Fellowship at the American College of Physicians, American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association and American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. He has been regularly listed amongst "Top Doctors" by New York Magazine and various other publications. Dr. Lebovics has authored numerous articles and book chapters and delivered many invited lectures. Medical students and residents have recognized his commitment to teaching through Excellence in Teaching Awards.
Professional Interests: advanced therapeutic endoscopy, biliary and pancreatic endoscopy, hepatitis B and C virus infection, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic cholestatic diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Medical School: New York University School of Medicine
Internship/Residency: Jewish Hospital of St. Louis, Washington University
Fellowship: Liver Diseases, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, CUNY
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, New York Medical College
Brad M. Dworkin, MD
Professor of Medicine
Attending Physician
Associate Director of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Dr. Dworkin is a renowned specialist in esophageal, gastrointestinal functional and motility disorders, nutrition, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Medical School: Jefferson Medical College (Pennsylvania, Philadelphia)
Internship: NY Hospital-Cornell Medical Center (New York, New York)
Residency: NY Hospital-Cornell Medical Center (New York, New York)
Chief Residency: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York, New York)
Fellowships: GI Fellowship-Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York, New York), Nutrition Fellowship-Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York, New York)
Governor, American College of Gastroenterology, Southern, NY, 2012-2016
Beth Schorr-Lesnick, MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
Attending Physician
Fellowship Program Director
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Dr. Schorr-Lesnick is the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program Director and a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Center. She graduated from Yale University, Mount Sinai-Icahn School of Medicine, and completed her residency at Montefiore Medical Center and her Gastroenterology fellowship at New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Center.
Since her training, she worked at a private proctology practice, at Beth Israel Medical Center as a full time Attending Physician and in private practice in Westchester for many years. She was Chief of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers. She sees private GI patients, administers the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program, and mentors and supervises the Fellows, who will be the next generation of Gastroenterologists.
Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (New York, New York)
Internship: Montefiore Medical Center (New York, Bronx)
Residency: Montefiore Medical Center (New York, Bronx)
Fellowship: Fellowship in Gastroenterology-NY Medical College/Westchester Medical Center (New York, Valhalla)
Virendra Tewari, MD
Clinical Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
Attending Physician
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Dr. Tewari is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. He specializes in advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures. He is dedicated to bringing novel endoscopic techniques to the practice with his international training and clinical expertise. He underwent GI training in the US and India and has been involved in gastroenterology practice, academics and research in India, UAE and the US.
His research interests and publications include: endoscopic sedation, virtual colonoscopy, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, biliary, liver and pancreatic diseases.
He performs the following procedures:
Screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreaticography), cholangioscopy, EUS (Endoscopic ultrasound), Bravo pH, Barrett’s ablative therapy, esophageal manometry, and a wide range of therapeutic and palliative endoscopic interventions.
Medical School: GSVM Medical College India
Residency: Interfaith Medical Center Brooklyn, LLR Hospital GSVM Medical College India
Fellowship: SUNY Downstate University Hospital and New York Medical College (Metropolitan - Woodhull Hospitals), Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences India, BHU - Institute of Medical Sciences India
Dana R. Berg, MD
Assistant Professor
Medical Director of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Dr. Berg is the Medical Director of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) at New York Medical College / Westchester Medical Center. Dr. Berg received her B.A. from Columbia University and M.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She then completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Mount Sinai Hospital, Gastroenterology Fellowship at New York Medical College / Westchester Medical Center, and her advanced inflammatory bowel disease training at New York University Langone Hospital.
Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital
Fellowship: Gastroenterology Fellowship at New York Medical College / Westchester Medical Center
Advanced Fellowship in Inflammatory Bowel Disease at New York University Langone Medical Center
David C. Wolf, MD
Professor of Medicine
Medical Director - Liver Transplantation
Attending Physician - Transplant Hepatologist
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Dr. Wolf is a Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases at the New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. Previously he served on the faculties at the University of Cincinnati and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. In 1996, Dr. Wolf was involved in the establishment the Liver Transplant Program at the Westchester Medical Center. He has published more than 30 papers and 60 abstracts, primarily focusing upon the variceal bleeding and liver cancer.
Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Residency: Internal Medicine at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
Fellowship: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Bronx Municipal Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Shireen A. Pais, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Medical Director of Endoscopy
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Dr. Shireen Pais is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and specializes in Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy. Dr. Pais is the Medical Director of Endoscopy and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College. She completed her medical education at St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, India; her Internal Medicine training at Columbia University Medical Center; Gastroenterology training at University of Southern California, Los Angeles County Medical Center; and advanced therapeutic endoscopy fellowship at Indiana University.
Dr. Pais’ clinical interests include Barrett’s esophagus, endoscopy management of superficial tumors, diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP and EUS, cholangioscopy and bariatric endoscopy. She serves on numerous local and national committees of NYSGE, ACG and ASGE. She has been listed in “Top Doctors” by Westchester Magazine and various other publications.
Medical School: St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, India
Residency: Columbia University Medical Center
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles County Medical Center; Advanced Endoscopy, Indiana University
Bernard S. Partiula, DO
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
Attending Physician – Transplant Hepatologist
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Dr. Partiula serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Clinical Medicine at New York Medical College and an Attending Transplant Hepatologist at Westchester Medical Center.
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Lenox Hill Hospital | Northwell Health
Fellowship: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Tsipora M. Huisman, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Attending Physician – Transplant Hepatologist
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Dr. Huisman is a transplant hepatologist at Westchester Medical Center. She trained at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City for internal medicine, gastroenterology, and transplant hepatology. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Huisman has a wide range of clinical interests, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol associated liver disease, autoimmune, metabolic, and biliary diseases, as well as liver cancers. Dr. Huisman is board certified, and is a member of several professional societies, including the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. She provides medical treatment for patients with chronic liver disease and end stage liver disease. Dr. Huisman evaluates the need for liver transplant, and cares for her patients before and after transplant.
Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Residency: Mount Sinai Medical Center
Fellowship: Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center
Frederick Yick, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Attending Physician – Advanced Endoscopy
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Dr. Frederick Yick is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. Dr. Yick received his medical degree from Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School. He completed his internal medicine residency at Montefiore Medical Center and Gastroenterology fellowship at New York Medical College / Westchester Medical Center. Following completion of his fellowship, Dr. Yick completed an additional fellowship in advanced endoscopy at Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School.
Medical School: Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School
Residency: Montefiore Medical Center
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Center
Advanced Endoscopy, Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School
Jonathan Z. Potack, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
Attending Physician
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Dr. Jonathan Potack received his undergraduate degree in history from Northwestern University and his medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency and Gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was Chief Fellow. After training, he joined the full time faculty at Mount Sinai where he served as Associate Program Director of the GI fellowship and Medical Director of the GI faculty practice. He has also worked in private practice for six years. He has extensive experience and expertise in the management of complicated Crohns disease and Ulcerative Colitis. In addition to board certifications in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, he is board certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and has clinical interests in the medical management of obesity and fatty liver disease.
Medical School: Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Residency: Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY
Cynthia E. Cohen, MD
Attending Physician
Associate Program Director
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Dr. Cohen is the Associate Program Director for the gastroenterology fellowship at Westchester Medical Center. She received her BS from Cornell University and MD from NYU School of Medicine. She then completed her internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai hospital followed by gastroenterology fellowship at New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Center. Her clinical interests include colorectal cancer screening, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, constipation, celiac disease, swallowing disorders, gastroesophageal reflux, and functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Medical School: New York University School of Medicine
Residency: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Chief Fellow: Westchester Medical Center - Gastroenterology Fellowship
How to Apply
Applications are accepted through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
Fellowship positions are offered through the National Residency Matching Program.
The fellowship application requires the following information:
- Official medical school transcripts
- Official test transcripts for all applicable examinations (USMLE, LMCC, COMLEX, NBOME, FMGEMS, FLEX or NBME)
- A dean's letter and three other letters of recommendation, one has to be from the internal medicine program director
- A curriculum vitae
- A personal statement
- A valid ECFMG certificate (if you graduated from medical school outside of the United States)
Candidates will be invited for a Virtual Fellowship Interview including: Grand Rounds, a welcome by the Chief of Service and the Program Director, and a virtual tour of WMC.
We wish you the best in your application process.
Please contact our Fellowship Coordinator, Denise Abreu (Denise.Abreu@wmchealth.org) at 914.493.3554, if you have any further questions or concerns.
Contact Us
Denise Abreu
Fellowship Coordinator
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Disease
Ambulatory Care Pavilion, 3rd Floor
100 Woods Road
Valhalla, NY 10595
Main Office Number: 914.493.3554
Denise.Abreu@wmchealth.org