Gastroenterology Fellowship Graduation, 2024

The Department of Internal Medicine’s final fellowship graduation of 2024 took place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Iowa City on Friday, June 15. Guests arrived to a black-and-gold photo booth, complete with amusing props.

After having their photos taken upon arrival, guests mingled during cocktail hour. Lush green salads topped each table as guests found seats, and meal service was matched to the pace of each person.

Gastroenterology Fellowship Program Director Adrian Holm, DO, began the program early by awarding the Summer’s Teaching Award to Rami El Abiad, MD, who was on call for the evening. El Abiad graciously received his award, and then took the opportunity to give individualized tongue-in-cheek gifts to each graduating fellow.

Holm then started the official program for the evening, noting to the room that this fellowship attracts talent from all over the world. He emphasized that even to be considered for matching to this program, each person already had to be at the top of their class as pre-med, and then again throughout medical school, and still again in residency: the four graduating fellows truly are exemplary in their field.

Graduating fellows then presented additional awards to faculty: The Endoscopy Teaching Award was presented to Amer El Sayed, MD, who accepted the award and imparted words of wisdom via video from a tropical setting. The Fellow of the Year Award was announced for Gilles Jadd Hoilat, MBBS, who was unable to attend the event. In lieu of an acceptance speech, Holm shared that the award also came with monetary value.

To close the program, graduating fellows all took a turn at the lectern to discuss what their fellowship meant to them, to thank their families and friends, and each other.

As the evening ended, the graduates gathered on the Vue Rooftop for a final group photo, with the lights of University of Iowa Health Care burning brightly in the background.