Rheumatology Fellowship

General description:

The faculty attend on an inpatient consultative service at the Medical Center. All inpatient consultations regarding patients with a broad spectrum of immunologic and rheumatologic diseases are seen by a member of the divisional faculty.

The division operates seven half-day clinics each week with a focus on a) systemic lupus erythematosus, b) atopic diseases and nonarticular rheumatism, and c) inflammatory arthritis. The fellows also have the option of working with a member of the clinical staff in a private practice arrangement. During the second and/or third years, the fellows are expected to participate in a laboratory research project under the direction of one of the divisional faculty or design and execute a clinical project with one of the divisional clinical faculty.

Special consideration will be given to applicants contemplating a career in academic medicine. A minimum of two years of laboratory experience is required for the development of investigative skills.

1. Inpatient consultation service: Fellows participate four months annually.
2. Current stipend for fellows: approximately $37,900 per year. In addition, a fringe benefit package of health insurance for the individual, malpractice insurance and participation in one scientific meeting per year is offered.
3. Timetable for application and notification of acceptance preceding the start year of the fellowship: Applications are due July through October. Interviews are held during late October and November. Notification of acceptance occurs by December 1st.

Program objectives:

• Offer a comprehensive two-year clinical program for internists desirous of certifying in rheumatology
• For physicians desiring board eligibility in both Allergy and Rheumatology subspecialties, a combined three-year program is available.
• Scholarly activity is required. This may be satisfied with a clinical or laboratory-based project. A formal presentation at a regional or national meeting is expected.
• Orientation to interdisciplinary specialties: skeletal radiology, rehabilitation medicine, orthopedic surgery (hand and foot reconstruction, joint replacement)

Clinical activities:

Training experience:

Inpatient consultation service: four months/year
Outpatient Clinic experiences: six half-days/week

Training environment:

University hospital, private practice (upon request)

Conferences:

Weekly

• Monday AM: 1.5 hr research conference or journal club
• Thursday AM: 1 hr didactic conference and clinical protocol development.

Monthly

• skeletal radiology session and clinical case presentations