Adventist Health Central California Network is proud to announce its new Gastroenterology (GI) Fellowship Program, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The program marks a significant milestone in the organization’s ongoing commitment to expand physician training, address a nationwide physician shortage, and improve access to specialty care throughout Central California.
This is the first specialty fellowship program established within the network’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) program and represents a major investment in the future healthcare workforce. Applications are now open and will close on November 18, 2026, at which time two physicians will be selected into the three-year program. The first fellows will begin training through the formal ACGME and National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) application process.
“The demand for gastroenterologists continues to grow across California and the nation,” said Christopher Orpiano, DO, program director for the GI Fellowship Program. “Our fellows will train alongside outstanding faculty physicians and gain experience in preventive care, medical management, and advanced procedures for a variety of digestive disorders, such as liver disease and gastrointestinal cancers.”
The GI Fellowship Program is a natural extension of the network’s continued investment in graduate medical education, which began with residency programs designed to address physician shortages throughout the region.
“Research consistently shows physicians are more likely to practice in the communities where they complete training,” said Raul Ayala, MD, ambulatory medical officer for Adventist Health Central California Network. “By training gastroenterologists right here in the Central Valley, we are creating a pathway for more specialists to remain local, care for local patients, and better understand the unique healthcare needs of our communities. This investment is about building a healthier future for the people we serve.”
The fellowship will be based at Adventist Health Tulare and will utilize training sites throughout the network, including Adventist Health Hanford, Adventist Health Specialty Care in Hanford, and Adventist Health Primary and Specialty Care in Fowler. Fellows will gain experience in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and ambulatory surgical centers.
A medical fellow is a physician who has already completed medical school and residency training and is pursuing advanced specialty education. During the three-year fellowship, physicians receive extensive training in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases of the digestive system, including conditions affecting the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and pancreas.
The program’s curriculum includes clinical care, advanced procedures, research opportunities, population health management, and disease prevention initiatives designed to improve digestive health outcomes across the region.
The fellowship program also creates opportunities for collaboration with Adventist Health’s existing residency programs, allowing physicians at various stages of training to work together to improve patient care, expand access to specialty services, and develop innovative approaches to managing chronic disease.
As Adventist Health continues to grow its GME program, leaders envision additional specialty
“Living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope is at the heart of everything we do,” Dr. Ayala said. “This fellowship program represents all three. It expands access to specialized care, invests in the future physician workforce, and strengthens healthcare for generations to come. Most importantly, it reflects our commitment to the communities we proudly serve.”
Applications for Adventist Health’s GI Fellowship Program are now open through the official GME application process. The application deadline is November 18, 2026. Interested physicians may learn more about the program or apply at this link: adventisthealthcentralca.org/