October 15, 2026
Valley Health System, in partnership with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is proud to announce the establishment of a graduate medical education (GME) fellowship program to educate and train the next generation of gastroenterology physicians.
Valley’s new Gastroenterology Fellowship Program was recently approved and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Applications for the program are currently being accepted.
The Gastroenterology Fellowship joins Valley’s newly established fellowship programs in cardiovascular disease, hematology and medical oncology, and hospice and palliative medicine, all of which are preparing to welcome their inaugural fellows in July 2027.
“Welcoming gastroenterology fellows is an exciting next chapter for our graduate medical education program,” said Reham Shaaban, DO, Chief Academic Officer for Valley Health System and Valley’s Site Designated Institutional Official. “Collectively, our four fellowship programs mark a significant milestone in Valley’s growth as an academic health system. By expanding opportunities for advanced medical education and training, the programs will help strengthen clinical expertise, support the development of future physician leaders, and further integrate education, research, and high-quality patient care across the organization.”
Gastroenterologists, Sita Chokhavatia, MD, and George Protopapas, MD, will serve as the Director and Associate Director of the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program, respectively.
Dr. Chokhavatia, is a distinguished gastroenterologist and graduate medical education leader with more than 30 years of experience directing fellowship programs. She currently serves as Chair of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Board of Governors, is a member of the ACG Board of Trustees, and has been recognized as a Master of the ACG.
Together, their combined dedication to physician education and professional development will help foster an exceptional training environment for fellows.
“We look forward to welcoming our inaugural class in July of 2027,” said Dr. Chokhavatia. “As pioneers these fellows will have the privilege to set academic goals, establish a culture of mutual respect, and build a strong foundation for future fellows as we work together to enhance the gastroenterology care of our patients.”
To learn more about the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program, please visit ValleyHealth.com/GME.