Why Temple
As a Temple University Hospital program, we provide excellent clinical care in an academic setting to our North Philadelphia community of patients, as well as residents of the larger Pennsylvania-New Jersey region who seek specialized care. Our program encompasses a diverse range of clinical experiences and an emphasis on care for the underserved due in large part to our primary practice location in North Philadelphia. Our rheumatology program serves the Temple Health community, which draws primarily (approximately 85% of patients) from the surrounding zip codes. Within Philadelphia, residents of these zip codes are largely economically disadvantaged compared to the average Philadelphia resident. Patients predominantly identify as African American and Hispanic. 80% of our patients receive federally subsidized insurance: about 30% are Medicare recipients, while 50% receive Medicaid. There is limited access to rheumatology care among our underserved and financially disadvantaged patients. We strive to meet this need by providing training to a diverse set of physicians with a dedication to service to the community, excellent patient care, and education of future generations of trainees.
Rotations
Weekly Outpatient Continuity Clinics
Monday AM (General rheumatology)
Tuesday AM or PM (Lupus Clinic)
Thursday AM (General rheumatology)
Rotating Clinics (2-week blocks)
Pediatric Rheumatology (St. Christopher’s)
Hospital and ED Discharge Follow-up
Ultrasound
Interstitial Lung Disease
Temple Jeanes Hospital
Temple Women and Families Hospital
Inpatient Consult Service at Temple University Hospital
Total of 6.5 months over a 24-month training period
Administrative
Second-year (Chief) fellows are responsible for scheduling and inviting Rheumatology Grand Rounds speakers for the academic year. Fellows aide in scheduling hospital discharges and urgent visits and covering urgent outpatient concerns outside of regular clinic hours. Support services available for trainees for clinical administrative tasks include Rheumatology-specific pharmacist, Temple Specialty Pharmacy, and nursing triaging service.