Gastroenterology Fellowship
Find out about the Gastroenterology Fellowship from our fellows and faculty.
Learn more about residencies and fellowships at the University of South Alabama and life on the Gulf Coast.
The USA Gastroenterology Fellowship program is committed to obtaining and maintaining preeminence in patient care, education, and research. Basic science and clinical medicine pertaining to gastroenterology and hepatology are emphasized during training, and we maintain a world-class faculty to train fellows for successful careers in gastroenterology and hepatology in the communities where they practice and serve. This aligns with our Sponsoring Institution's Mission Statement: We help people lead longer, better lives.
We provide a comprehensive 3-year curriculum to enable fellows to learn tertiary, secondary and primary care skills in all settings. We educate fellows to be excellent practitioners of medically directed gastroenterology in a gastroenterology care team model. We train individuals with expertise in population health and serving medically underserved. We produce excellent, independent practitioners who will be local and national leaders, and for academic careers.
USA Gastroenterology appreciates your interest in our program. We participate in the Medical Specialties Matching Program of the National Resident Matching Program. We are accepting applications by the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Our NRMP match number is 1852144FO. We look forward to receiving your application.
We accept two fellows each year. At this time, we only sponsor J-1 visas.
Current Active Clinical Investigation Projects
An Open Label Phase 2 Study to Characterize Colon Pathology in Patients with HER2
Amplified Breast Cancer Treated with Neratinib
Lead Investigator: Jack A. DiPalma, M.D.
Investigational agents: Neratinib
Study Subjects: Chemotherapy patients
Corrona Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Registry
Lead Investigator: William Preston Sonnier, M.D.
Investigational Agents: N/A
Study Subjects: Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Entyvio (vedolizumab) long-term safety study: An international observational prospective
cohort study comparing vedolizumab to other biologic agents in patients with ulcerative
colitis or Crohn's Disease
Lead Investigator: Benjamin Niland, M.D.
Investigational Agents: vedolizumab
Study Subjects: Patients with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease
B.L.O.C.S (BLOCS -Benign Liver Optimal Core Study): Comparison of 2 techniques using
EUS guided Liver biopsies via 19g CORE biopsy needle to Obtain Optimal Core Liver
Biopsies in Benign Disease
Lead Investigator: Meir Mizrahi, M.D.
Investigational Agents: N/A
Study Subjects: Patients who will be undergoing liver biopsy under EUS guidance
Study of the Clinical, Epidemiological characteristics and Natural history of Gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD), Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and of their progression to esophageal
adenocarcinoma (EAC)
Lead Investigator: Meir Mizrahi, M.D.
Investigational Agents: N/A
Study Subjects: Patients with Barrett’s Esophagus
Jack A. Di Palma, M.D.
Fellowship Program Director
Undergraduate Education: B.A., Adelphi University, Garden City, New York
Medical School: New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
Internship: Internal Medicine, USAF Medical Center Keesler, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
Residency: Internal Medicine, USAF Medical Center Keesler, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland AFB, Texas
Board Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Interests: Acid Peptic Disease, Lactose Maldigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chronic Inflammatory
Bowel Disease, GI Motility, Endoscopic Sedation, Colon Cleansing, Constipation, Capsule
Endoscopy
Baret Bercier, M.D
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
Undergraduate Education: B.S., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Medical School: M.D., Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Residency: Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Baton Rouge Louisiana
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama
Board Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Matthew Carnes, M.D
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
Undergraduate Education: B.A., University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Medical School: M.D., University of South Alabama Whiddon College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama
Residency: Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
Board Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine; American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Phillip K. Henderson, D.O.
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
Undergraduate Education: B.S., Troy University, Troy, Alabama
Medical School: D.O., Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama
Transplant Hepatology, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
Board Certifications: Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
Diplomate, National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners
Jorge L. Herrera, M.D.
Director Emeritus
Undergraduate Education: B.S., University of Puerto Rico
Medical School: M.D., University of Puerto Rico
Internship: Internal Medicine, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Denver, Colorado
Residency: Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Denver, Colorado
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
Board Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Diplomate in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology
Interests: Hepatology, Viral Hepatitis, Endoscopic Procedures, Diagnostic Physiology Testing
Rajab Idriss, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
Education: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Internship: Western Galilee Hospital, Nahariya, Israel
Residency: Internal Medicine, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
Advanced Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
Observership: Hepatology, Baylor Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
Board Certifications: Internal Medicine, Israeli Internal Medicine Board
Gastroenterology, Israeli Gastroenterology Board
M. Caitlin Marshall, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
Undergraduate Education: B.S., Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
Medical School: M.D, University of South Alabama College of Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama
Board Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
Benjamin R. Niland, M.D.
Director, Clinical Operations
Undergraduate Education: B.S., University of Louisiana Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana
Medical School: M.D., Louisiana State University, New Orleans, Louisiana
Internship: Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
Residency: Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Caroline, Charleston, SC
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama
Board Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
William "Preston" Sonnier, M.D.
Associate Program Director
Co-director of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Undergraduate Education: B.S., University of Alabama
Medical School: University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama
Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham Tinsley Harrison, Birmingham, Alabama
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama
Board Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Interests: Dose intensification of biologics, Early use of biologic medications in management
Mason Adams, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
Undergraduate Education: B.S., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Medical School: M.D., Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
Residency: Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Baton Rouge Louisiana
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama
Fellowship: Advanced Endoscopy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
Board Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Bennett Hooks, M.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Undergraduate Education: B.S., Birmingham Southern College, Birmingham, AL
Medical School: University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL
Residency: Internal Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
Board Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Michael Sanders, M.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Undergraduate Education: B.S., Birmingham Southern College, Birmingham, AL
Medical School: University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL
Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Board Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Kane Edwards, M.D., PGY VI
Medical School: University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Residency: University of Mississippi Medical Center
Elizabeth Craig, D.O., PGY VI
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine
Lucas Buchanan, D.O., PGY VI
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University, Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Cesar Moreno, M.D., PGY V
Medical School: Florida State University College of Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine, University of South Alabama College of Medicine
William Dungan, M.D., PGY V
Medical School: University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
R. Joshua Ousley, M.D., PGY V
Medical School: University of South Alabama College of Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham
John Alvin Green, DO, PGY IV
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, Alabama
Residency: University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama
Jessica Woodham, DO, PGY IV
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, Alabama
Residency: University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
Nathan Usry, MD, PGY IV
Medical School: University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, Mississippi
Residency: University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
Address: 75 S. University Blvd., UCOM 6000-B, Mobile, AL 36608
Telephone: (251) 660-5555 • Fax: (251) 660-5559