Rheumatology Fellowship

The Rheumatology program has a 2-year repeating curriculum to ensure that our fellows have the opportunity to formally participate in each learning objective set forth by the American College of Rheumatology during their fellowship training. We use a combination of grand rounds, morbidity and mortality conferences, problem-based learning, lectures, simulation, journal club and bedside experience to teach these objectives. The expectations and goals will depend on the level of training and fellows will assume more responsibility over the course of the fellowship. Rheumatology fellows have reasonable work hours with a favorable balance between work (clinical service and education) and personal life.

• Didactic sessions are offered Monday through Friday. The didactics are given by rheumatology faculty covering the ACGME Core Curriculum.
• Journal Club is held on the first and second Tuesdays of the month from noon to 1 pm. An article of importance is presented by a fellow with open discussion with faculty.
• Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) Conferences are held on the third Tuesday of the month from noon to 1 pm. M&M conferences are case-based directed learning to improve patient care and outcomes.
• Rheumatology Grand Rounds (RGR) are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month from noon to 1 pm. Each fellow makes at least one presentation during the academic year.
• Renal Pathology Conferences are offered quarterly on Wednesdays from noon to 1 pm.
• Internal Medicine Medical Grand Rounds are offered every Friday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 am.
• Education and Research Mentorship takes place during the Research Rotation. Planned, ongoing and/or completed research projects are discussed and presented by fellows and faculty.

Fellows Continuity Clinic

This clinic provides opportunities to apply the knowledge acquired during training, while allowing the fellow to develop their personal approach to patient care under the supervision of faculty. Fellows are expected to review relevant medical literature applicable to these patients, facilitating the use of evidence-based medicine in diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making. The progressive responsibility model guarantees that upon completion of the program, the fellow will be adequately equipped to offer care to patients wherever they choose to practice.

Specialty Clinics

• Lupus Clinic: Fellows will attend this 1/2 day clinic during their Ambulatory Rotation and be exposed to patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Fellows will be involved in diagnostic and therapeutic steps throughout their fellowship. They will also have access to a Lupus Registry and Bio-repository research tool.
• Gout Clinic: Fellows will attend this 1/2 day clinic during their Infusion Rotation. Fellows will gain experience with gout/CPP arthritis management.
• RA Clinic: Fellows will attend this 1/2 day clinic during their Research Rotation. Fellows will be exposed to complex clinical scenarios in patients with RA.
• Fellow Faculty Clinic will enable fellows to spend individualized time with our diverse group of providers who specialize in different areas of rheumatology.
• Procedure Clinic will be attended by fellows during their Ambulatory Rotation. The fellow will gain experience in common rheumatology procedures including the use of ultrasound.

Inpatient Consult Service 

Fellows will evaluate and treat a large variety of inpatient systemic autoimmune rheumatic disorders. The rotation is based in Carilion Clinic’s tertiary referral hospital supervised by rheumatology faculty. Fellows will take 1-in-4 call.