Digestive Diseases, one of 10 sections in the Yale Department of Internal Medicine, is committed to advancing gastrointestinal and liver health through exceptional patient care, scientific discovery, and education in a collaborative environment. To learn more, visit Digestive Diseases.
Q+A
Fellow Focus in Four: Eleazar Montalvan-Sanchez, MD, Digestive Diseases
Meet Eleazar Montalvan-Sanchez, MD, a clinical fellow in Digestive Diseases, whose interest in gastrointestinal cancer prevention and inflammatory bowel disease is rooted in a commitment to improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in gastroenterology?
I grew up in Honduras, where I witnessed the impact that limited access to health care can have on patients and families. During medical school, a research project on gastric cancer in a remote mountain village exposed me to the devastating burden of gastrointestinal (GI) disease in underserved communities and inspired my interest in GI. The specialty combines longitudinal patient care, procedural medicine, cancer prevention, and research.
My interests in inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal cancer prevention are rooted in a commitment to improving outcomes and reducing health disparities in the United States and Latin America. As a resident, I was honored to be recognized as the Indiana Latino Physician of the Year. This award was incredibly meaningful, as it reflects my commitment to advocacy, colorectal cancer awareness, mentorship, and serving the Latino community—causes that are deeply personal to me.
Why did you choose Yale for your fellowship?
Yale offered outstanding clinical training at one of the largest and most respected hospitals in the country, along with strong mentorship and exceptional support for academic development. As a recognized powerhouse in medical education, Yale provided the ideal environment to grow as both a clinician and educator. The opportunity to work with leaders in inflammatory bowel disease medical education and global health aligned perfectly with my career goals. I was also impressed by the collaborative culture and the faculty's genuine investment in the success and development of trainees.
I also enjoy New Haven's walkability, diverse food scene, and rich academic environment. Being surrounded by colleagues who are passionate about education, research, and patient care creates an inspiring atmosphere. Connecticut also offers easy access to both nature and major cities, which makes it a great place to live and train.
Tell us about your career goals.
My long-term goal is to become an academic gastroenterologist specializing in inflammatory bowel disease. I am particularly interested in medical education, health disparities, and improving access to evidence-based GI care in underserved communities. I was recently recognized by the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) as a 40 Under 40 in Health, which has been another meaningful honor and a reminder of the impact that community engagement and service can have beyond clinical medicine. As I continue in my career, I hope to develop educational programs that support trainee development and to contribute to research that improves patient outcomes in both the United States and Latin America.
What’s a fun fact about you?
Outside of medicine, I am a big sports fan. I follow the Atlanta Braves, Indiana Pacers, Formula 1, and soccer—especially Manchester United. My wife and I are also excited to be expecting our first child, which has been one of the most meaningful and joyful experiences of our lives. We also have two bulldogs, Sansa and Tyrion, who are currently enjoying being the center of attention before the baby arrives.