Year of commencement: 2009

Total number of graduates: 11 graduates

Evolution and relevant milestones:

The Hepatology Residency program began in 2009, marking a milestone in the academic development of the service. Since then, the program has continuously welcomed residents and fellows from multiple regions of Argentina and Latin America, who have found in it a valuable resource. Hospital Austral a space for comprehensive and highly complex training in hepatology and liver transplantation.

Over the years, the sustained growth of the service, multidisciplinary work, investment in infrastructure and training have allowed us to consolidate an excellent care and academic model, reaching the milestone of more than 1000 liver transplants performed.

Duration : Post-basic – 2 years

Titles obtained

Diploma of Complete Residency in Hepatology (Austral University Hospital).

Additional academic endorsements: Universidad AustralSAHE

The Hepatology and Liver Transplantation residency at the Austral University Hospital offers comprehensive and multidisciplinary training focused on the diagnosis and treatment of complex liver diseases, with strong clinical, surgical, and academic integration.

Number of current residents: there are currently 2 residents: one first-year and one second-year.

On-call shifts per month: Does not perform active on-call shifts

Average schedule: Monday to Friday + Saturday mornings - 50 hours per week

Residency format:

The residency program has a comprehensive and progressive format, combining intensive clinical practice with rigorous academic training. It is based on hands-on learning, multidisciplinary teamwork, and close support from staff, all within a collaborative environment of medical excellence.

Internal rotations:

Although there are no formal rotations, the hepatology resident actively interacts with the services of Internal Medicine, Intensive Care, Emergency and Diagnostic Imaging, Pathology and Gastroenterology.

Weekly teaching hours:

Hepatology residents must complete the SAHE course and the required coursework set by the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences. The department also holds regular conferences in Hepatology, Pathology, Liver Transplantation, and Oncohepatology. As part of their training, residents must present a research project upon completion of their residency.

Vacation time per year: 4 weeks

The Hepatology and Liver Transplant Service at Austral University Hospital is distinguished by its excellent work environment, based on human qualities, respect, and teamwork. It combines medical excellence with extensive clinical experience, consistently maintaining one of the largest liver transplant programs in Argentina.

Furthermore, it boasts intense academic and research activity, in close collaboration with SAHE, with training programs, regular conferences and continuous scientific production, making it an ideal setting for the comprehensive training of residents and fellows in a regional reference center.

Head of Service: Dr. Manuel Mendizabal.

Consultant: Dr. Marcelo Silva.

Staff Physicians: Dr. Cristina Alonso; Dr. Josefina Pagés; Dr. Federico Piñero.

Associated Physicians: Dr. Diego Arufe; Dr. Mariana Cleres; Dr. Matías Coronel; Dr. Agustina Giménez; Dr. Guillermo Mazzolini; Dr. Pablo Testa.

Instructors / Chief Resident: Dr. Manuel Mendizabal.

Specialist trained for the comprehensive management of patients with liver diseases and transplantation.

Upon completion of the residency, the graduate will receive a Residency Diploma issued by the Austral University Hospital. To obtain this diploma, the resident must complete the supplementary training courses offered at the hospital. Universidad AustralThese courses have a humanistic and methodological focus and are a necessary requirement for all basic and post-basic residencies at the Hospital. The resident's knowledge will be assessed through partial and final evaluations each year, culminating in a Final Integration Project, which may be a research project or a monograph, on a topic of the resident's choosing.

The resident must also complete the Advanced Hepatology Course offered by SAHE. Successful completion of this course and receipt of the residency certificate will allow the resident to apply for the specialist title awarded by the Ministry of Health of Argentina.

Upon completion of their training, the resident will be qualified to:

• To identify the various syndromes and diseases that affect the liver at all stages of its progression. To be trained in the management of the entire spectrum of liver diseases, from a patient with abnormal liver function tests to one who has received a liver transplant.
• To work in the diagnostic area, knowing both the indications and contraindications of the various complementary invasive and non-invasive methods.
• Perform different invasive procedures related to hepatology such as percutaneous liver biopsies and diagnostic and therapeutic paracentesis.
• To know the indication and to be able to interpret the different complementary diagnostic methods related to the liver, including serological, immunological, virological and oncological analyses.
• To be able to interpret the main histological findings of a liver biopsy in both the pre- and post-transplant context. To understand the usefulness of different staining techniques.
• Participate in the evaluation, monitoring and registration of patients in the Unit.
• To be part of the clinical research projects developed within the Unit and to participate in the creation and then in the presentation of the results of these projects.
• Participate, along with the doctors of the Unit, in the teaching activity at the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences

Manuel Mendizabal
MMENDIZA@cas.austral.edu.ar