GI Fellowship Stipends and Benefits

GI Fellow Stipend Scale 2024-2025

PGY Level	Annual Stipend Including Life and Disability Offset
PGY-4	$ 64,610
PGY-5	$ 67,223
PGY-6	$ 69,634

*Includes annual salary and standard GME Disability and Life Insurance contributions.

Benefits

Full-time Onsite Counseling available at no charge to our GME trainees, students, and faculty.

A Full-Time GME Counselor, Lucy White, MEd, LPC-MHSP, is available for confidential counseling at no charge to you.  Her office is on the 5th floor of the Whitehall Building, and she has flexible hours.  This is an outstanding benefit, and Lucy has been a fantastic addition to our GME Programs.

Call Quarters

Erlanger provides comfortable call quarters for residents and fellows within the hospital with snacks and drinks during evening hours in the main resident call quarters lounge. 

Resident Insurance Benefits

The University provides excellent group insurance plans beginning the first day of residency or fellowship training, including:

• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Life insurance ($100,000 benefit)
• Long-term disability insurance (choose monthly benefit of $1500, $2500, $4000, or $5000)

Vacation and Leave

The University provides three (3) weeks of paid vacation per year. Residents and Fellows are not guaranteed holiday leave unless the service or area to which the fellow is assigned is closed for the holiday. Three (3) weeks of paid annual sick leave is available.  Sick leave and vacation may be used for parental leave as well as some unpaid leave in accordance with UTCOMC GME Policies.  Our institution offers a one-time six weeks of  additional paid leave for parental or family medical leave during your residency or fellowship per ACGME requirements.

Educational (Conference) Leave

The program permits up to one (1) week of educational leave each year. Funds are available from the department at the discretion of the Chair and Program Director. Reimbursement is subject to GME Travel and Reimbursement Policies and may vary by PGY level.

Immunity from Professional Liability (i.e., Malpractice)

As employees of the State of Tennessee, residents have immunity from professional liability (i.e., malpractice).  Residents and Fellows are protected against suits for malpractice via the Tennessee Claims Commission Act. The State is self-insured so there is no insurance carrier; however, coverage is similar to what would be stated in coverage is similar to what would be stated in an insurance policy. 

Reimbursement for Professional Development Expenses

Each program has some funding that may be used at the discretion of the Chair and Program Director for reimbursement toward professional development (e.g., regional or national conference, textbooks, electronic CME materials, USMLE Step 3 fee, board certification examination fees, etc.). The Gastroenterology Fellowship program provides $1,200 annually for fellows at all levels of training. UT Reimbursement and Travel Policies must be followed and all travel must be approved in advance by the Department and Deans' Offices. Travel receipts and reimbursements must be handled through the CONCUR System.

Other GME Benefits

• Orientation stipend for incoming fellows ($600) who attend all orientation sessions at the end of June.
• GME communication stipend for incoming fellows ($350).
• Funding for meals at Erlanger, with evening snacks and drinks provided in the main Resident Call Lounge ($1,200 annually via swipe meal cards).
• Initial certification and recertification courses (BLS and ACLS) at no charge.
• Covered parking in the hospital parking garage at no charge.
• White monogrammed lab coats each year.
• Discounted software downloads through the University for personal computers and devices (e.g., Microsoft Office, Office 365 Web Apps, Office 365 ProPlus, and SPSS).
• Hepatitis B immunization and other required immunizations, annual TB skin testing, and flu/Covid-19 vaccines at no charge.
• Medical Library (UTCOM Chattanooga Medical Library and UTHSC Health Sciences Library in Memphis) 24/7 access.
• 24-hour computer access for research and personal use.
• 24-hour access in Erlanger and access from anywhere outside the hospital via VPN remote access, including electronic resources (e.g., Up-to-Date and Visual DX).
• Copying privileges at no charge in the UTCOM Chattanooga Medical Library.
• Access to all electronic databases via the UTHSC Health Sciences Library (in Memphis) via UT Net ID login.
• Funding available via departments toward presentations at regional and national conferences at the discretion of the Chair and Program Director.
• Local CME conferences and seminars sponsored by the University at no charge to fellows.
• Resident House Staff Association
• Resident Advisory Board
• Well-Being Initiatives and activities at both the institutional and program levels.
• Availability of on-site childcare at the hospital (Erlanger e-Kids) on a space available basis and at a discounted rate equivalent to Erlanger employees.
• Notary service at no charge.
• Resident Employee Assistance Program at no charge through your health insurance provider (United Healthcare) for additional counseling and other resources that include access to some additional resources such as counseling, legal, and financial guidance.
• LifeBridge Physician Initiative through the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society for in-person access to mental health providers at no cost the fellow.
• AIRS Program - Aid to Impaired Residents, which offers intervention and assistance to fellows who admit impairment and comply with recommended treatment. Given compliance with treatment guidelines, every effort is made to allow a fellow to continue and complete residency training and benefits.
• Exercise room in Erlanger at no charge.
• Patient Safety and Quality Improvement guidance and coaching/mentoring.
• Workers Compensation coverage for work-related illness, accident, or exposure.
• Free post office box at the Erlanger US Post Office.
• The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Aquatic and Recreation Center (ARC) fitness facility membership available at a discounted fee of $20 per month plus a one-time $20 registration fee.   Spouse memberships are also available at a discounted rate.  The nearby University of Tennessee at Chattanooga website also provides more information about the UTC ARC.