The International Scholars Program in Advanced Endoscopy was created at California Pacific Medical Center in 2002 to provide overseas physicians specialized in the field of gastroenterology an opportunity to obtain postgraduate training in specialized endoscopic procedures. The postgraduate scholar spends up to one year under the direct mentorship of Kenneth F. Binmoeller, M.D., Medical Director of Interventional Endoscopy. Dr. Binmoeller has been involved in the training of postgraduate trainees since 1991 at previous analogous programs at the University of California in San Diego and the University of Hamburg in Germany. The international scholar selected for training is expected to apply the procedural expertise acquired at California Pacific to enhance the quality of healthcare in the home country. The scholar is also expected to train other physicians in the home country to disseminate expertise in gastrointestinal endoscopy.

The Postgraduate Trainee

The postgraduate trainee learns a spectrum of advanced endoscopic procedures, including their indications, applications and risks. These include endoscopic ultrasonography, therapeutic ERCP, endoscopic mucosal resection, cyanoacrylate glue injection, anti-reflux procedures, motility procedures, and capsule endoscopy. The recommended training period is one year. The trainee spends three to six "theoretical" months observing and interpreting procedures and studying a large library of various print and multimedia materials. The trainee also participates in one or two clinical research projects, assisting in data collection and analysis. Having mastered the prerequisite theoretical foundation, the trainee progresses to a "practical" hands-on apprenticeship under direct supervision. Procedures for hands-on training are carefully selected based on level of difficulty and trainee skill. The trainee is directly supervised and mentored on a one-on-one basis at all times. Training is contingent upon approval by the Medical Board of California (section 2112).

Eligibility Requirements:

The candidate for the International Scholars Program is required to meet the following eligibility requirements:
1. Medical School diploma
2. License to practice medicine (in the home country)
3. Diploma for medical or surgical subspecialty training in gastroenterology
4. Diploma or letter of competency in gastrointestinal endoscopy
5. Fluency in English
6. CV/résumé
7. Letter from Ministry of Health stating your in good standings
8. Self-funding (no funding available for this program)

For more information on the International Scholars Program please contact Margaret Allen, Coordinator, International Scholar's Program at Allenmg@sutterhealth.org.

To apply for this program download, complete, fax the application form along with your CV/Résumé to 415-600-1416.

International Scholar's application form

International Scholars at California Pacific Medical Center

Mark Anthony De Lusong
Dr. Mark Anthony De Lusong is our 2007 IES International Scholar. He received his training in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital and was recipient of the “Most Outstanding Gastroenterology Fellow Award” by the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology for 2007. His research projects at California Pacific include advances in cholangiopancreatoscopy and endoscopic management of complications of bariatric surgery. He acquired a passion for video editing and is working on educational videos on diverse topics in interventional endoscopy. He will be returning to Manila in spring 2008 and plans to start the first interventional endoscopy referral center in the Philippines. He is married to Frannie and has two beautiful daughters Sam and Caitlyn. He enjoys computers, photography and traveling.

Patricia Cabral, M.D.
Dr. Cabral received her medical degree from the University of the Philippines in Manila. She completed training in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital where she holds a faculty position as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine. Her interests in interventional endoscopy have brought her to the California Pacific Medical Center, where she is learning endoscopic ultrasonography and other advanced endoscopic procedures as the 2006-2007 International IES Scholar. Her research interests focus on pancreatic and biliary disease and she is currently evaluating outcomes of EUS–guided pseudocyst drainage and debridement of organizing necroses. After completing her advanced training Dr. Cabral will return to the Philippines where she will be involved in the training of young interventional endoscopists. Her experience at CPMC will allow her to improve the quality of health care and endoscopic expertise in the Philippines.

Andres Sanchez Yague, M.D.
Dr. Sanchez Yague is our 2006 IES International Scholar visiting at California Pacific Medical Center. He received his medical degree from the University of Malaga, Spain in 1999 and earned his doctorate Cum Laude in 2002. He is Assistant in the Department of Medicine at University of Sevilla, Spain.

Dr. Sanchez Yague’s research interests have focused on emerging technologies like small bowel and esophageal capsule endoscopy. He has an avid interest in all Interventional Endoscopy techniques including endoscopic ultrasonography, advanced endoscopic imaging, mucosectomy, ERCP, and double balloon enteroscopy. Dr. Sanchez Yague is also proficient in computer use and video editing. His leisure activities include debating, traveling and photography.

Cecilia Sison, M.D.
Dr. Sison is our 2005-2006 international visiting scholar. This aspiring young physician received her medical degree from the University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines in 1999. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Gastroenterology in 2005 at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila, where she held the position of Chief Fellow during her senior year of fellowship. At present, Dr. Sison has a Philippine board certification in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. She has conducted research investigations on various GI topics such as GI malignancy, viral hepatitis, therapeutic endoscopy and esophageal variceal ligation. Some of her studies have also been presented in different international GI conferences. As an IES visiting scholar, she is very interested in learning about endoscopic ultrasound and its therapeutic capabilities as well as mucosectomy and capsule endoscopy. Her leisure activities include sightseeing, reading novels and sketching.

Taketo Yamaguchi, M.D.
Dr. Yamaguchi is our 2004 international visiting scholar at California Pacific Center. He received his medical degree at the Chiba University School Medicine, Japan in 1981 and earned his Ph.D. in 1992. He is now an assistant professor of medicine at Chiba University School of Medicine. His interests are focused on biliary and pancreatic disease, GI endoscopy, and GI motility. He has published over 40 articles on various gastrointestinal topics. He is married to Eiko and has two sons, Hiroto and Yoshito. His leisure hobbies include reading novels and going to movies.

Junghwan Lee, M.D.
Dr. Lee is our 2004-2005 international visiting scholar. He graduated from Medical College of Korea University, Korea in 1991, and has Korean board certification in Internal Medicine with a subspecialty in Gastroenterology. At present he is Assistant Professor of the Gastroenterology Department at the Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital in Seoul, Korea. He has published papers in various GI journals, especially therapeutic articles including endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic stenting. His main advanced interventional endoscopy interests include invasive endosonography and capsule endoscopy. Dr. Lee is visiting the United States with his wife, Hyesung and his daughter, Yejoo.

Dalton Marques Chaves, M.D.
Dr. Chaves is our 2003-04 international visiting scholar at California Pacific Center. He received his M.D. at the University of Uberlandia Medical School, Brazil, in 1986, did a surgical residency and went on to earn his PhD at the University of São Paulo in 2001 He is Assistant Physician at the Endoscopy Service of the University of São Paulo Medical School Hospital, specialized in digestive endoscopy, since 1990. He has published papers and books chapters on various topics of digestive endoscopy. His interests are focused on endoscopic ultrasonography and therapeutic endosocopic procedures. Dr. Chaves is visiting the United States with his wife (Eliza) and two children ( Filipe and Lumi).

Jeong-Seop Moon, M.D.
Dr. Moon was our 2002-03 international visiting scholar at California Pacific. He has a South Korean board certification in internal medicine and gastroenterology and is an assistant professor of internal medicine at the Inje University Paik Hospital in Seoul, Korea. His interests are focused on interventional endoscopic ultrasonography and therapeutic ERCP. Dr. Moon has published 26 articles on various topics in interventional endoscopy including band ligation, resection of large colonic polyps, and endoscopic mucosectomy. Dr. Moon is visiting the United States with his wife (In-Hye) and three children (Seo-Young, Seo-Jin, and Seo-Eun). His main hobby is photography.