The core mission of the Rheumatology Fellowship Program at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University is to train expert clinical rheumatologists by cultivating strong clinical care, education, research, and lifelong scholarship in the field of rheumatologic diseases. The commitment to uphold our mission is fulfilled by our 6 faculty members at varying stages of their careers. Our fellowship program fosters a firm foundation in clinical Rheumatology. Section Faculty has NIH-funded research programs deciphering the immunologic basis of autoimmune disorders. Trainees who have completed the Temple Rheumatology Program have gone on to successful careers in academic medicine or private practice.
The clinical component of the Temple Rheumatology Fellowship Program is composed of hospital consultations and ambulatory services. The inpatient consult service is comprised of 8 months of hospital responsibility in ½ month blocks over a 24-month training period. This takes place in our 721-bed tertiary care hospital. Ambulatory patients are seen by fellows in ½ day continuity clinics which include 3-5 weekly adult clinics (Lupus Clinic, 2 General Rheumatology Clinics), a Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic every 3 weeks, and a Hospital/Emergency Department Discharge Follow-up Clinic.
The educational component of the Temple Rheumatology Fellowship Program includes: a weekly Immunology Teaching Seminar, Rheumatology Grand Rounds, Medicine Grand Rounds, Fellows, Case Management Conference, monthly Chief's Journal Clubs (JC); a monthly Musculoskeletal Radiology Case Conference, the Department of Medicine Research Curriculum; Rheumatology Morbidity and Mortality Conference; weekly on-site Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Curriculum, monthly interdisciplinary conference with Pulmonary for Connective Tissue Disease Associated Interstitial Lung Disease (CTD-ILD) Conference, and we are working with Neurology and Neurohistopathology to establish Myopathy Conference. There are two mandatory summer lecture series for the First-Year Fellows.
The research opportunity includes participation in clinical trials and clinical research, primarily in systemic lupus erythematosus, in addition to quality improvement and patient safety research.
For a typical weekly schedule, view the PDF.
Trainees are expected to have abstract submissions to local, regional and national rheumatology conferences each academic year of their two year training. Trainees are expected to present at the journal clubs, immunology sessions, case conferences, Morbidity & Mortality Conference on a rotating basis, year-end Grand Rounds by each Fellow, as well as submission of their scholarly work for publication and dissemination.