Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program

Goals and Objectives of the Rheumatology Fellowship
The overall goal of the rheumatology fellowship is to acquire the skills necessary to be a highly competent rheumatologist. These include: detailed knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the clinical findings and pathophysiology of rheumatic diseases, as well as current therapeutic principles. In addition, knowledge is essential in the following areas: normal and pathologic anatomy of the musculoskeletal system, humoral and cellular immunology relevant to rheumatic diseases, effect of immunogenetics on predisposition to rheumatic diseases, biochemistry of connective tissue and its association with heritable diseases of connective tissue, mechanisms and pathways of inflammation, diagnosis and treatment of diseases that primarily affect the musculoskeletal system in adults and children; diseases of autoimmunity; system diseases with musculoskeletal manifestations; primary bone diseases, including metabolic diseases of bone; and problems in the field of sports medicine, diagnostic use of laboratory tests, imaging studies, and histopathologic examination, indications for use of drugs, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and orthopedic surgery, and pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and side effects of drugs used in treating patients who have rheumatic diseases.

Consistent with our Core Mission as a Rheumatology Division, a central objective of our Rheumatology Fellowship program is to teach the trainee, through course work and through their conduct of basic and/or clinical research, how new advances in the field are made and how there clinical significance can be delineated. Whether or not our trainees become academicians or practitioners, we believe that the scientific component of training is critical to the aspiring rheumatologist so that they have developed the cognitive skills to remain current with the forefront of the field. For those individuals interested in a more in depth research experience, a variety of individualized opportunities are available to the trainees in basic science laboratories both within the Division and in other departments of Columbia University . An additional strength of the program is the close interaction with Pediatric Rheumatology which is particularly relevant in the care of patients with SLE and spondyloarthropathies and offers the fellow additional opportunities to understand the genetic and familial settings of these illnesses.

Rheumatology Fellowship Curriculum
The goals of the fellowship's first years curriculum are:
1) to teach how to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with rheumatic disease
2) to teach the trainee the role of the consultant and how to effectively consult
3) to teach basic immunology and concepts for understanding the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases in general and rheumatologic diseases in particular,
4) to teach basic principles for the treatment of these diseases
5) to expose the trainee to current research in autoimmunity and rheumatology through journal clubs and grand rounds
6) to learn the fundamentals of orthopedic approach to musculoskeletal disease, and
7) to further our trainees' education in quality assurance, cost containment and ethics.

In general the goals of the second and subsequent years (if elected) are:
1) to further the education of the trainee as regards the diagnosis of and care and treatment of patients with rheumatic diseases and
2) to further expose the trainee to current research in the treatment, diagnosis, and etiology of autoimmune and rheumatologic diseases. This is accomplished through the fellow's direct involvement in a research project in addition to continued involvement in selected patient care activities including Rheumatology clinics.
During all years of the training program, fellows participate in regularly scheduled teaching exercises. These include: a weekly conference covering basic pathophysiology and clinical topics, a monthly journal club, and research conferences. All fellows also attend the 3 clinics listed below:

Lupus clinic: Monday 9:00AM
Special arthritis clinic: Tuesday 9:00AM
Faulkner General Arthritis clinic: Wednesday 1:00PM

All Fellows also rotate through dermatology clinic and reciprocally dermatology residents attend lupus clinic. Fellows in the second and subsequenct years are encouraged to actively participate in laboratory or clinical research. The opportunities for research are well descibed in other sections of the website and in some detail in the Autoimmunity Center web site. Research may be conducted at any of the research laboratories in the Division (see research opportunities below) as well as under some circumstances, in subspecialty Divisions outside of rheumatology and in other Departments of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Candidates are not required to elect an area of research prior to entering the Fellowship Training Program. The selection can be made during the first year of the program. In addition to the activities within the Division of Rheumatology, Columbia offers a rich environment in contemporary biomedical research. Basic science seminars and graduate courses are readily available to the trainee.

The curricuum is supplemented by the following Weekly Divisional Events:

Grand rounds-rheumatic disease conference
Tuesday 4:00PM.
This is a conference advertised and open to the University community, which is usually given by an invited expert.

Fellowship Core Curriculum
Thurday 10:00 PM
This is a conference for the fellows and medical students designed to cover the essential knowledge necessary to become a subspecialist in the rheumatic diseases.

The Interstitial Lung Disease Conference is a combined Pulmonary-Rheumatology conference, meeting every other Thursday at 8:00AM. This conference is focused on gaining a better understanding of immunologically mediated lung disease, especially those chest diseases that occur in the setting of rheumatic diseases. The conference is attended by faculty and fellows from both the pulmonary and rheumatic disease divisions as well as by pathologists specializing in pulmonary diseases. Two or three illustrative or problem cases are thoroughly discussed along with their biopsy results with emphasis on needed new areas of knowledge.

The Renal Pathology Conference is a combined Pathology, Nephrology and Rheumatology conference meeting every other Thursday at 9:00AM. This conference is focused on the pathologic findings in kidney disease and their clinical features. Some cases concern diseases that occur in the setting of rheumatic diseases such as lupus nephritis or the glomerulonephritis associated with ANCA. Other cases are more directly the concern of the nephrologists.

Application Process
A complete application packet must include:
    * ERAS Application Form
    * 3 Letters of Recommendation
    * ECFMG Certification
    * USMLE Scores
    * Photo (optional)

Send your complete packet to:
Edward Dwyer, M.D.
Program Director
Division of Rheumatology
Departmenof Medicine
College of Physicians & Surgeons
630 W. 168th Street
PH-8 East, Suite 101-D
New York, NY 10032
(212) 342 2753

Questions?
Please contact us for more information:
Reina Burdie, Administrative Assistant II
Tel:  212 342 3684