About the IBD & Nutrition Fellowship Program

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Nutrition Fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) offers advanced, comprehensive training in the clinical care and research of IBD and nutrition-related disorders. The fellowship is designed for gastroenterologists seeking a career in academic medicine with a strong focus on multidisciplinary care and scholarly activity.

Fellows work closely with a dedicated team of experts in gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, radiology, pathology, and clinical nutrition. The program provides exposure to a diverse patient population, including complex tertiary referrals, and emphasizes personalized, evidence-based care.

In addition to robust clinical training, fellows engage in research with opportunities spanning clinical trials, outcomes research and translational science. Fellows are encouraged to pursue projects aligned with their academic interests and are supported in presenting their work at national conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

This one-year fellowship prepares physicians to become leaders in the field of IBD and nutrition, combining excellence in patient care with innovation in research and education.

Welcome from the Program Director

Welcome from the Virginia Commonwealth University’s Advanced Inflammatory Bowel (IBD) Disease and Nutrition Fellowship Training Program. Virginia Commonwealth University (The Medical College of Virginia) has a long tradition of prominence in IBD that dates to the National Cooperative Crohn’s Disease Study (NCCDS) completed in the late 1970’s. At the time, the five-year NCCDS was the largest clinical trial in IBD ever completed, enrolling more than a thousand patients and randomizing more than six hundred into treatment arms. The study included the development of the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index aka CDAI, which (despite shortcomings) persists in the clinical lexicon more than forty years later.

Research and Scholarship Expectations

Fellows in the VCU IBD & Nutrition Fellowship are encouraged to participate in scholarly activities throughout the year, including clinical research, literature reviews, and case reports. Below are selected publications from our faculty and fellows that reflect the breadth of academic engagement within the program.

Testimonial: Prabhat Kumar, MBBS

Drs. Bickston and Kumar "Life as an IBD fellow at VCU has been a blend of intensity, curiosity, and purpose. Each day brought new lessons and challenges, shaping the way I see and care for patients. One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been working closely with Dr. Bickston, Dr. Mangray, and Dr. Tariq, each of whom has left a distinct imprint on how I approach medicine.

Dr. Bickston (the OG) brings calm wisdom and a systems-based way of thinking, encouraging me to look several steps ahead and consider the long arc of each patient’s journey. Dr. Mangray leads with empathy and precision, reminding me that even the most complex decisions must always center on the patient’s comfort and values. Dr. Tariq exemplifies clarity and structure, showing how thoughtful communication can make care both efficient and deeply human.

Their mentorship has shown me that there is no single “right” way to practice medicine—only many ways to connect, understand, and heal. Whether in clinic, performing chromoendoscopy, or analyzing outcomes data for research projects, I carried pieces of their teaching into every encounter. By evening, as I finish responding to MyChart messages or reviewing patients or data for research endeavors, I was reminded that being an IBD fellow isn’t just about managing inflammation. It’s about learning from remarkable teachers and honoring the resilience of the patients who trust us along the way."

Prabhat Kumar, MBBS
Gastroenterology Fellow
VCU Health System

Vacation Time
Each fellow is allowed three weeks of vacation per training year. The time is generally taken as either one of the following:

Three-week vacation (15 days for programs that do not routinely work on weekends)
One 5-day vacation and one 10-day vacation.

Professional Leave
The number of days allowed for professional leave which includes attendance at conferences, fellowship and job interviewing, or in support of research and other scholarly activity, is determined at the discretion of the department and program director in which the resident/fellow is training and that allowed by the certifying body (e.g. American Board of Medical Specialties) without having to make up additional time.

Night calls

Other healthcare providers provide in-house coverage of the patients admitted to the inpatient services at night as well as after-hours calls from patients and providers.

Weekend Coverage

Fellows are not required to come in on weekends.

GME Resident & Fellow Well-Being
Graduate Medical Education training is not easy. With the GME Physician Well-being program, we first and foremost assert our commitment to your well-being, resilience and all aspects of a healthy lifestyle. VCU and VCU Health are dedicated to ensuring that you have the tools you need to be your best. (Learn more)

All About VCU, VCU Health, and RVA
First things first. We fondly refer to Richmond as RVA. People love this city because it’s awesome. And Virginia Commonwealth University is in the middle of it all. Learn more about VCU, VCU Health, and RVA!

Stephen J. Bickston MD, AGAF, FACG, FASGE

Program Director

Stephen J. Bickston MD, AGAF, FACG, FASGE

Program Director

Internal Medicine

Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Email: stephen.bickston@vcuhealth.org

View Faculty Expertise Profile

Arun J. Sanyal, MD

Division Chief

Arun J. Sanyal, MD

Division Chief

Internal Medicine

Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Email: arun.sanyal@vcuhealth.org

View Faculty Expertise Profile

Stephen J. Bickston, MD, AGAF, FACG, FASGE - Fellowship Program Director
Sasha Mangray, MD
Raseen Tariq, MD, MS

Class of 2026

Raj Jessica Thomas, DO
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus
Residency: Cleveland Clinic Akron General

Alumni

How to Apply:

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Nutrition fellowship training program at VCU is a Non-Standard Training Program. Candidates must have successfully completed an ACGME-accredited Internal Medicine residency and be board certified or board eligible. Please contact imfellowships@vcuhealth.org for additional application information.

Required Documentation

GME Application
Curriculum Vitae
USMLE score reports or COMLEX score reports
Personal statement
3 Letters of Recommendation- One from current Program Director / current
Supervisor (dated within past 6 months)
Letters may be emailed to Program Director/Program Coordinator; however, email must be sent directly from source’s email address

Visa Requirements (if applicable)

J1 Visas are preferred for graduate medical education positions at the VCU Health System

Application Timeline:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in November. Position will remain open until filled

Please note: GME deadline for hiring Housestaff for AY 26-27 is April 3, 2026

Interviews:

All interviews are virtually

Program Director

Stephen J. Bickston, MD, AGAF, FACG, FASGE
1200 E Broad Street
Box 980341
Richmond, VA 23298
Phone: (804) 828-4060
Fax: (804) 828-5348
Email: Stephen.bickston@vcuhealth.org

Fellowship Coordinator

Cesley Watkins
Cesley Watkins
VCU School of Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine
Box 980509
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0509
Phone: (804) 628-4497
Fax: (804) 828-4926
Email: imfellowships@vcuhealth.org

For training verification requests, please visit us at
Graduate Medical Education
Department of Internal Medicine Resources

IBD & Nutrition Fellowship

Welcome

Welcome from the Program Director