Henry Ford St. John Hospital Program

Ascension St. John Hospital offers a two-year Rheumatology Fellowship program that provides extensive training in the management of a diverse patient population with a variety of rheumatologic disorders. The program's educational approach emphasizes both inpatient and outpatient settings, enabling fellows to gain experience with adult and pediatric patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, including vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and temporal arteritis.

Located at the 612-bed Ascension St. John Hospital, the fellowship includes clinical rotations at the hospital's main campus, affording rheumatology fellows access to comprehensive medical resources and faculty supervision. Trainees collaborate with Internal Medicine residents, Podiatry, and Family Medicine residents, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to patient care during inpatient rotations.

Ambulatory Care and Continuity Clinic

The fellowship ensures continuity of care through the establishment of a continuity clinic, wherein fellows engage in three half-day weekly clinics under direct supervision by faculty. This experience is further supplemented by outpatient subspecialty clinics, including a Bone and Mineral Clinic in the second year, allowing fellows to concentrate on chronic rheumatic conditions and associated patient management strategies.

Research Opportunities

Fellows are actively encouraged to engage in clinical research activities during their training. The program assigns a faculty mentor to each fellow, aiding in the development and implementation of a research or quality improvement project during the first year. In the second year, fellows focus on data collection, analysis, and preparation for publication of research findings. The program encourages fellows to present an abstract at a national scientific rheumatology meeting, fostering professional development through engagement in academic discourse and networking.

Training Environment and Faculty Support

Fellows benefit from a rich learning environment characterized by comprehensive teaching and mentorship from experienced faculty members. The program directors and faculty are committed to providing a supportive framework that facilitates fellows’ personal and professional growth throughout the two years of training.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

The Rheumatology Fellowship at Ascension St. John Hospital applies a competitive selection process through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). The program is particularly open to DO and IMG candidates, enhancing its diversity and inclusivity in applicant backgrounds. There may be specific application requirements such as consideration for the year of graduation and Step exam performance; however, detailed criteria should be verified during the application process.

Visa Support

The program provides support for visa sponsorship, ensuring that international medical graduates can receive the necessary assistance to obtain the appropriate visa for fellowship training. The types of visas supported may typically include J-1 and H-1B visa categories, allowing fellows to focus on their educational pursuits without additional administrative burdens related to their immigration status.