Alumni Testimonials

Kevin Harris (2024), Gastroenterology

I graduated from the Henry Ford Gastroenterology fellowship program in 2024 and served as a chief fellow during my final year of training. My time as a trainee at Henry Ford was absolutely amazing. The faculty at Henry Ford are master educators and clinicians. The faculty are approachable and continually seek opportunities to help fellows grow both personally and professionally. At Henry Ford I was exposed to a diverse patient population from the entire state of Michigan. I had opportunities to rotate with experts in the fields of hepatology, therapeutic endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease, motility, and general gastroenterology. I was able to train at a tertiary referral center, however this was balanced with opportunities to perform endoscopy in ambulatory surgical centers in the southeast Michigan region. This allowed me to maximize my endoscopic training by performing endoscopy in varied locations. When I graduated from the fellowship, I felt well prepared for many different career opportunities. Following graduation, I began a transplant hepatology fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. I feel the training at Ford prepared me well for success at the next level. I remain close friends with many of the faculty at Henry Ford and I know that they will always be available as a resource for me in my future endeavors.

Ahmed Elbanna (2023), Gastroenterology

I graduated from the excellent gastroenterology fellowship program at Henry Ford in the summer of 2023 and I served as a chief fellow in my last year. I had previously been a resident and chief resident at Henry Ford where I initially gained exposure to the program. It was clear to me early on that fellows graduating from this program were confident. However, something that I did not fully appreciate until I became a fellow at this program was how collegial and approachable the faculty was. During the course of training at this program, you truly feel that you are colleagues with luminal gastroenterologists, therapeutic endoscopists, transplant hematologists, motility specialists, and gastrointestinal nutritionists - many of whom are leaders in their respective fields. You will certainly receive world class training at Henry Ford both intellectually and endoscopically as many alumni have previously highlighted.

Following graduation, I interviewed for many positions including an academic appointment at a university hospital, hospital-employed positions, and private practice. I can say with confidence that I was qualified and confident to practice in any of these settings as a result of my training at Henry Ford. Now, almost 1 year into practice, I could not be more thankful for my opportunity to train at this institution. It truly is a great place to work, and I would have loved to stay on as faculty, but I had to relocate to be close to family. I am currently in private practice through Gastroenterology of Greater Orlando based in Orange City, FL and provide service to two community hospitals in the area. I am extremely grateful for the training I received and the friendships I developed at Henry Ford Hospital as they have been the foundation for my success.

Suraj Suresh (2022), Gastroenterology

I completed my GI fellowship program at Henry Ford in 2022 and served as a Chief GI Fellow in my final year. During my training, I had the privilege of caring for a diverse patient population from all over Michigan and learning from experts across various GI subspecialties including IBD, transplant hepatology, interventional endoscopy, motility, and nutrition. What truly distinguishes the Henry Ford GI fellowship program is its blend of intensive clinical training and a thriving academic atmosphere that fosters teaching and engagement in scholarly pursuits. Our division has cultivated a close-knit community of dedicated physicians, nurses, and support staff, all driven by a shared commitment to providing the highest quality patient care.

This combination of factors was the driving force behind my decision to continue my career at Henry Ford following my fellowship training, marking the beginning of my journey as a general gastroenterologist. The comprehensive clinical and procedural training I received during my fellowship instilled in me the skills and confidence required for success in my practice. While my primary focus is on clinical care, I am actively engaged in research projects and quality improvement initiatives, enabling me to contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge and continually enhance patient outcomes. I look forward to being a part of the Henry Ford community for many years to come and hope you consider joining us!

Vivek Mendiratta (2022), Transplant Hepatology

I graduated from Henry Ford Gastroenterology program in 2022, including completing my Transplant Hepatology training. This program has been pivotal in setting the foundation for my success in GI and Hepatology. It provided me with a remarkable clinical base, equipping me with the knowledge and skills necessary to diagnose and treat a wide range of complex conditions. The dedicated faculty and mentors at Henry Ford played a crucial role in shaping my medical expertise, and their unwavering commitment to patient care and education was evident throughout my training. What set Henry Ford apart was its supportive and collaborative environment that fosters trainee growth. In addition, I was afforded ample opportunity and support to pursue my academic interests and contribute to the field’s advancements. I am grateful for the experiences, opportunities, and mentorship I received during my time at Henry Ford.

Alireza Meighani (2020), Gastroenterology

I graduated from gastroenterology fellowship program at Henry Ford Hospital in June of 2020. Soon after graduating, I moved to Washington DC and started my first job working for MedStar Health. Even though the process of transitioning from trainee to attending was challenging, I felt that my fellowship program prepared me well to rise to the challenge. Henry Ford, being a large quaternary referral center in Michigan, allowed me to serve a very diverse and complex patient population. I felt so fortunate to have trained at a place where we were exposed to all the different subspecialties of gastroenterology, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I soon realized that not only am I able to take care of most patients by myself, but also recognize my limits and know when to ask for help. Speaking of help, I continue to have the support of my mentors even after graduating and know that they are only a phone call away whenever I need them. I am truly so proud of my G I fellowship program and cannot stop telling my colleagues about the wonderful experiences I had. I consider my training at Henry Ford, the cornerstone of my career success.

Mouhanna Abu Ghanimeh (2020), Gastroenterology

My name is Mouhanna Abu Ghanimeh. I graduated from Henry Ford Hospital after four years of training (2017-2021), in which I completed a gastroenterology fellowship 2017-2020 and an advanced endoscopy fellowship 2020-2021. I served as a chief gastroenterology fellow during my third year of fellowship (2019-2020).

When I look to any program for fellowship training, the four main objectives I focus on are: 1) The clinical and practical training, including the hands on training, the skills set as well as the medical decision making and medical autonomy 2) The scholarly activity and the academic aspect of the specialty 3) How this program is going to prepare me to my next step “My Career”, this is as important as the previous two points, and includes under its umbrella, helping me to understand different practice models, and to develop a niche. 4) Mentorship, and this extends beyond the years of training. It is where you find people in the specialty and you say, “I want my career to be like him/her”.

Henry Ford Hospital is a large quaternary care center in southeast Michigan, with a large referral base and great exposure to a wide variety of pathologies. It provides a platform to pursue a robust education in gastroenterology, to advance clinical and technical skills, and to exude leadership in the medical field. Reflecting back to my enriched experience as well as my colleagues’ experience over four years at this institution, Henry Ford Hospital provided all of us with all the training, skills and guidance we needed to start and peruse successful careers in the field of gastroenterology / hepatology, regardless of the practice setting, the practice model, the field specialty or the geographical location. Some of us came to Detroit, not knowing what type of career they want to pursue, however, none of us had doubts about career goals when it was the time to graduate.

After graduation, I moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to join Sanford Health – University of South Dakota Medical Center as a consultant gastroenterologist, an advanced endoscopist and an assistant professor at the School of Medicine. Sanford health is a large tertiary health care system that serves a wide range of patients from South Dakota, North Dakota, western Minnesota, northwestern Iowa and northern Nebraska. A transition to a practice with such a big responsibility would never come without stress. However, since I started my job in South Dakota, I realized more and more the value of graduation from a top notched program as Henry Ford gastroenterology. I never felt alone because I know all my mentors in Detroit are available to help me when I need them. It is a blessing to appreciate the value of adding a positive impact on patients’ care.

Overall, I feel proud and grateful of the excellent training I have received at Henry Ford Hospital. I do appreciate the innovation and mentorship we had over there in Detroit. Thus, I highly recommend this program.

Aishwarya Shyamraj, MD (2019), Gastroenterology

I graduated from the gastroenterology fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in 2019 and served as chief fellow in my final year. What stood out to me, first, about our program is the passion and commitment to teaching by our faculty, many of whom are renowned leaders in the specialty. Second, the wide spectrum of pathology that we were able to treat was an invaluable part of training. We managed referrals from all over the state in addition to seeing a multitude of local patients both from an inner city and suburban setting. Personally, I got a chance to hone my skills at managing IBD by working with our IBD specialists who have a substantial panel of patients. Third, I received great endoscopic training, both in-terms of quality and volume, which allowed me to hit the ground running when I completed my fellowship. I currently live in Cincinnati and work at St. Elizabeth Health System that serves northern Kentucky. I have learned that Henry Ford more than prepared me for my career as I feel comfortable treating a wide variety of pathology in all settings. I am currently carving out a niche for myself in IBD within the system. I think of the Henry Ford GI division with fondness for giving me such exceptional training. I continue to stay in touch with my mentors at the system for patient and career advice and remain grateful for their support.

Andrew Watson, MD (2019), Interventional

My name is Andrew Watson, one of the interventional GI senior staff and a former fellow. I obtained my undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and medical degree at the American University of the Caribbean. I completed my residency training, and then a chief year, at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I have since finished my general GI fellowship and interventional GI fellowship at Henry Ford. I was then honored to have the opportunity to join the interventional GI group here. The GI division at Ford is a true gem. Being part of a large, academic, quaternary referral center allows us to serve a diverse and complex patient population. The exposure we get to all aspects of GI is incredible—from transplant hepatology, interventional endoscopy, to IBD and motility—and rivals any program in the country. But without a doubt, after completing both my general GI and interventional GI fellowships, the people are what really makes our program so great. Fellowship can be challenging, but it’s made all the easier when the program feels like one big family. The support and guidance I’ve received throughout my years here has been priceless, all the while being given the autonomy to grow both personally and professionally. I’ve had such a great experience here that I jumped at the chance to join on as faculty. I truly can’t imagine a better place to have completed my training and I’m honored to have the opportunity to begin my career within this stellar division.

Alex Weick, MD (2019), Gastroenterology

The Henry Ford GI Fellowship Program prepared me exceptionally well for the transition into private practice. Even early on in my post-graduate career, I have the confidence to diagnose and manage a wide variety of GI issues, as well as the endoscopic experience to be comfortable and proficient on my own even from day one. This stems from the diversity of training offered by the Henry Ford program, not just that inherent to the breadth of pathology seen at a tertiary care training center but also from the wonderful faculty and multitude of sub-specialty clinics. Having the chance to work one-on-one with a variety of faculty, including not just general gastroenterologists but transplant hepatologists, interventional gastroenterologists, as well as IBD and motility experts, all of which are fully invested in your education was an invaluable experience and why I would not hesitate to again pursue a fellowship at Henry Ford if I had to “start all over.”

Faiza Bhatti (2016), Inflammatory Bowel Disease Specialist

I joined Henry Ford in 2013 as a trainee fellow in the division of Gastroenterology. I came to Michigan with the plan of finishing my training and leaving this cold state right after my fellowship. Little that I knew, I would fall in love with this division, chief of this division and people of this division. I joined HFH in 2016 as IBD faculty and never regretted my decision even once. Since my graduation, I have been actively involved in local community to work towards the goal of making the life of IBD patients easier. I give a tremendous credit to my mentors who have set higher standards for the training of their fellows by setting great examples themselves. Today, If I am being considered as a competent physician and passionate about my career and get invited to be the speaker for local events, it is a result of the training that I received. I feel fortunate to be part of HFH GI division where I look forward to come to work every day. It is all about the work place satisfaction which I think we have plenty.

Sumit Singla, MD (2014) Interventional

I graduated from the GI fellowship program at Henry Ford in 2014, and served as chief GI fellow in my third year. I was new to Henry Ford when I started my fellowship, but quickly fell in love with the hospital and (particularly) our division. I decided to stay on for an advanced endoscopy fellowship year and was lucky enough to be hired as an interventionalist thereafter. My clinical practice consists of performing advanced procedures, with a special focus on direct cholangioscopy and palliation/treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. For two years, I had the honor of serving as the chair of quality and research for the fellowship. I cherished having such a close working relationship with program leadership and our 15 fellows, and have learned so much from them. The quality of training and genuine love our fellows receive from their program director and division chair is special. I have also been fortunate to serve as director of endoscopy for our healthcare system, and have grown even more enamored of our hospital and division as I’ve become more involved in administration. This is an amazing place to work. I think one of the biggest compliments a training program can boast are strong testimonials from former fellows. I can tell you without a doubt that I owe a great deal of my success and career satisfaction to my training. I hope you will consider joining our growing and dynamic team!

Matthew Moeller (2011), Gastroenterology

I am currently the Section Chief of Gastroenterology at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, MI. We currently have sixteen gastroenterologists and ten physician assistants. Spectrum Health Medical Group is a large multi specialty group with over 1500 health care providers.

My role is divided into administrative, clinical, and education. My clinical duties are split between caring for very sick patients at two quaternary level hospitals and doing endoscopy and clinic at an outpatient facility. I also am a clinical educator and an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University. Medical students and residents often rotate with us.

Henry Ford positively impacted me in several ways. One, it was one of the few fellowships that had a very strong gastroenterology and liver program. I felt having a good grasp of inpatient liver disease, including exposure to transplant, was critical to my future. This has proven true in practice as I often see very sick liver pathology and feel very comfortable treating it. Two, Henry Ford offered a quaternary level hospital setting with great pathology, yet also had a community hospital setting to care for more bread and butter cases. This combination allowed me to see the sickest patients in a large city setting, yet also enabled me to care for more common GI complaints in the suburbs. Three, I loved the idea of getting exposure to advanced endoscopy during my first 3 years of fellowship, which made this program very unique. I am now able to use these ERCP skills in my practice. Four and most importantly, Henry Ford had very approachable and knowledgeable senior staff, which I even noted initially on my interview day. I interviewed at over fifteen programs and truly felt Ford physicians were the friendliest and most down to earth. This also was proven true as I was trained very well and still have close friendships with several of them years later.

Jeff Tang (2011), Gastroenterology

I graduated from the Henry Ford Gastroenterology fellowship in 2011. I was fortunate to be selected one of the chief fellows. I was even more fortunate to be hired as a senior staff for the division. I maintain a general gastroenterology clinic out of our Columbus Center clinic in Novi. In addition to general GI patients, I have a strong interested in hereditary colon cancers and also help cover our capsule endoscopy and ERCP services in the area. Life after fellowship has been quite an experience. It may be hard to believe, but I feel that there is more to learn after fellowship than within it. The transition to a staff gastroenterology has a steep learning curve. I do feel that I was more than prepared for that transition. During my fellowship, I was exposed to such a wide range of experiences. The exposure to Hepatology, Transplant Hepatology, IBD, advanced endoscopy and more were priceless. Moreover, I was taught by world renowned experts in the field. It’s no surprise that the fellowship hosts visiting fellows from other