Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (Scottsdale) Program

The two-year Rheumatology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic's campus in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, provides an exceptional pathway for the development of proficient rheumatologists equipped with essential clinical and investigative skills in rheumatology. This program is renowned for its comprehensive training environment that nurtures both educational and professional advancement in the field of rheumatology.

Program Highlights

• A comprehensive clinical training experience emphasizing rotations in electromyography, physical medicine and rehabilitation, radiology, pediatric rheumatology, metabolic bone disorders, and sports medicine.
• A robust didactic curriculum paired with hands-on experience.
• An opportunity to engage in teaching medical students and internal medicine residents.
• Supervised training in landmark-guided and ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis and soft tissue injection procedures.
• Dedicated time allocated for research activities.

The fellowship benefits from fellowship-accredited training, bolstered by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) accreditation for its ultrasound practice in diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal ultrasound—a distinguishing feature among rheumatology practices nationally.

Your Training Experience

As a fellow, one has access to extensive clinical and academic resources, ensuring a supportive framework for physical and mental wellness, as well as work-life balance. The training program focuses on the development of critical clinical skills needed to manage complex rheumatic diseases across both inpatient and outpatient environments. Each fellow is designated a research mentor early in their training, assisting them in exploring the various aspects of rheumatological research.

Curriculum Structure

The fellowship's curriculum is structured over two years, with each year divided into 13 four-week blocks. The first year is heavily focused on practical training through rotations in outpatient and inpatient rheumatology practices, along with compulsory rotations in research and relevant specialties. The second year is primarily devoted to research, although clinical training continues through outpatient and inpatient rotations, along with subspecialty exposures in endocrinology/metabolic bone, muscle pathology, pediatric rheumatology, and orthopedic sports medicine.

Procedural Training

Fellows receive comprehensive training in various procedures, including ultrasound-guided injections and arthrocentesis, under the supervision of experienced faculty. The hands-on experience ensures proficiency in performing intricate procedures and diagnostic evaluations.

Didactic Training

The educational framework includes core curriculum conferences, case conferences, and a journal club, supplemented by one-on-one instruction with attending rheumatologists. These opportunities are designed to deepen fellows' clinical knowledge and skills in managing rheumatic conditions.

Research Opportunities

Fellows are expected to develop and publish a supervised original research project before concluding their training—examples might include retrospective studies or quality improvement projects. Support may also be available for presenting research findings at conferences.

Application Process

Only one fellowship position is available on a competitive basis each year. In order to qualify for this fellowship, applicants must be completing an accredited internal medicine training program and must possess a license to practice medicine in the United States. Application documentation must be submitted via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) by the deadline specified for the upcoming program year. Competitive candidates will be invited for interviews conducted between August and October each year.

Visa Support

The program facilitates visa sponsorship for international medical graduates, supporting various visa types as necessary for participation within the fellowship program.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

This fellowship is considered highly competitive, emphasizing not only academic credentials but also a strong dedication to the field of rheumatology. Applicants should express a keen interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound procedures, with evidence supporting this interest being an aspect of successful application.

Upon successful completion of the fellowship, graduates are eligible to take the rheumatology subspecialty examination offered by the American Board of Internal Medicine, paving the way for certification in rheumatology.