UPMC Medical Education Program

Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program at UPMC

The University of Pittsburgh and the UPMC Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Division partnership has a long tradition of training future leaders in rheumatology for careers in academic medicine, industry, and clinical practice. The focus of the program is to prepare each fellow for their personal career track.

All fellows complete a standard track for their first year and choose a specialty focus for their second year. The three tracks offered are:

Clinician Track

Post-graduation Goal: Full-time clinical practice.

Program Schedule Enrichments: Fellows engage in a second year continuity clinic in a community-based practice that specializes in tele-rheumatology. Additionally, musculoskeletal ultrasound clinics are conducted at the VA Pittsburgh Health System and Falk Clinic. The program also supports musculoskeletal ultrasound certification via the Ultrasound School of North American Rheumatologists (USSONAR).

Educational Enrichments: The program offers a Business of Rheumatology Lecture Series and access to business training materials tailored to each trainee’s educational path. There is flexibility for fellows to take business courses at a local school during the second year.

Clinician Educator Track

Post-graduation Goal: Clinical education and practice in an academic setting.

Program Schedule Enrichments: This track emphasizes a second-year continuity clinic in a high-volume resident clinic. Additionally, fellows receive support for a Certificate in Medical Education from the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Clinical Research Education (ICRE).

Educational Enrichments: Participants benefit from mentor-mentee relationships with clinician educators within the Department of Medicine and the division. There is also a practicum in rheumatology medical education in a resident-run clinic at UPMC Mercy.

Research Track

Post-graduation Goal: Physician Scientist.

Program Schedule Enrichments: Fellows allocated dedicated research time during their second year, with the possibility of an additional third year focused on research. A competitive application for the T32 grant in Immunology and Immunopathology may also be pursued in the third year.

Educational Enrichments: The program offers mentored research opportunities with independent investigators in rheumatology or related fields such as immunology, nephrology, and dermatology. Clinical research track fellows may have the option to pursue a master's in clinical research or a master's in public health.

Research in Rheumatology

The Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology at the University of Pittsburgh prioritizes learning about rheumatic and autoimmune diseases through research and clinical trials. Members of the division primarily focus on studying these conditions to discover new and better therapies.

Research programs are available in various clinical areas, including:

• Connective Tissue Disease
• Lupus
• Myositis
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Vasculitis

For fellows, participation in this research environment enhances their training and prepares them for future contributions to the field

More information about the UPMC Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program can be found on their website.