Temple University Hospital Program

The Rheumatology Fellowship Program at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University is committed to offering a comprehensive training experience in various facets of rheumatology. The fellowship prepares physicians to effectively engage with the dynamic challenges and opportunities in this field. Based in North Philadelphia, the program includes training at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and collaborative affiliations with other academic institutions in the area.

The program emphasizes patient care through its structured didactic and clinical curricula aimed at cultivating highly competent rheumatologists. All fellows and faculty engage in weekly educational conferences that incorporate lectures, interdisciplinary sessions, journal clubs, research discussions, ultrasound training, and immunology conferences. This approach ensures that fellows receive rigorous training in both the theoretical and practical components of rheumatology, solidifying their knowledge of recent advancements that enhance therapeutic options and improve patient outcomes 1.

Application Process

The application process for the Rheumatology Fellowship is conducted through the ERAS application system, complemented by the NRMP matching service, which is standard across many fellowship programs. The program typically seeks to select two fellows each year, aiming for a total of four fellows during the fellowship. The submission deadline for applications generally falls in late August, followed by interview invitations extended in September and early October. Interviews usually occur shortly thereafter, primarily during September to early October 2.

Educational Components

The educational structure of the fellowship is comprehensive, featuring several dedicated learning sessions including:

• Weekly Grand Rounds
• Immunology Basic Science Course
• Internal Medicine Grand Rounds
• Fellows Case Management Conference
• Monthly Musculoskeletal Radiology Case Conferences

There are also specialized conferences such as the Connective Tissue Disease Associated Interstitial Lung Disease (CTD-ILD) Conference and the Neuro-histo-Myopathy Conference. In addition to these sessions, a research curriculum is mandatory during the summer, alongside periodic interdisciplinary conferences 3.

Research and Scholarly Activities

Scholarly activities are a vital part of the fellowship experience. Fellows are encouraged to engage in research and presentations, including:

• Monthly Journal Club presentations
• Case Conference presentations held every 3-4 weeks
• Morbidity and Mortality Conferences
• Annual Grand Rounds presentations

Moreover, fellows are required to submit abstracts or posters at the annual American College of Rheumatology event, the Pennsylvania Rheumatology Society meeting, and the Temple Research Symposium. They are also expected to participate in quality assurance and quality improvement projects, culminating in the mandatory publication of scholarly work 4.

Clinical Services and Rotations

The fellowship provides extensive clinical service experience, with structured outpatient continuity clinics held on various weekdays. The clinical duties include:

• Outpatient clinics on Monday, Tuesday (Lupus Clinic), and Thursday mornings
• Inpatient consultations, averaging 8 months over the 24-month training duration
• Participation in a Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic and Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic
• Management and administrative responsibilities by second-year fellows, including organizing with guest speakers for Grand Rounds

This multi-faceted service rotation is designed to deepen clinical acumen and patient interaction skills for trainees 5.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program offers visa sponsorship options, facilitating the participation of international medical graduates (IMGs) and those requiring visa support for training. The specific types of visas that the program can sponsor include J-1 and H-1B visas, which are typically available for training positions in medical fellowship programs.

The competitiveness of the Rheumatology Fellowship at Temple University is notable, attracting a diverse pool of applicants, including both DO and IMG candidates. The program ensures a welcoming environment for candidates from varied backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of diverse experiences in enriching the training process.

Special Application Requirements

While the program details general qualifications, candidates are often required to have completed medical school within a certain timeframe and may face limits on the number of past failed USMLE Step exams. Specific criteria may vary, so potential applicants are encouraged to review the specific eligibility requirements closer to the application timeline.