Training

The Research Pathway at Stanford Immunology & Rheumatology offers clinical training and research opportunities to physicians who wish to specialize in rheumatic diseases. The primary goal of the program is to prepare trainees for an academic career in either basic science or clinical research. Funding via our T32 training grant and additional sources is guaranteed for the 3rd and 4th years of research beyond the initial 2 years of ACGME-accredited training in rheumatology.

The first year of the training program is dedicated to providing clinical exposure to a broad spectrum of rheumatic diseases. Fellows spend the majority of the year rotating through the inpatient consult services and outpatient clinics at our three training sites under the supervision of an attending physician. In addition, fellows rotate through several Rheumatology subspecialty clinics such as the combined Rheum-Derm Clinic, Vasculitis Clinic, and the VA Women’s Rheumatology Clinic. All fellows also get extensive training in musculoskeletal ultrasound.

A continuity clinic is maintained three half days per week throughout the first year of training. Fellows also participate in weekly didactic and research conferences.

Dr. Neha Shah, Program Director of the rheumatology fellowship, meets with each fellow regularly regarding their progress. Additionally, each fellow chooses a career mentor who advises them regarding their clinical and research training.

Beginning in the second year, fellows spend the majority of their time involved in research activities, with protected research time and 1 half-day continuity clinic per week. The Division of Immunology & Rheumatology offers an outstanding array of research opportunities in basic, clinical, or translational science supported by NIH training grants and other funding resources.  This is done under the supervision of a mentor(s) who can be chosen from among the diverse and outstanding faculty within the Division, or from other Divisions and Departments at Stanford. Each fellow will continue to meet regularly with their career mentor to review and facilitate their progress.

Fellows typically spend 1-3 years as postdoctoral fellows in the program.  The Division has an outstanding record of success in preparing and placing its trainees in prestigious faculty positions, public health careers, and industry.

More information about the Division of Immunology & Rheumatology research programs can be found here.

The Clinician Educator Pathway at Stanford Immunology & Rheumatology offers training and educational opportunities to physicians who wish to specialize in the clinical practice and education of rheumatic diseases.  Our clinical fellowship combines clinical and teaching experiences into an experience tailored towards a clinical career in an academic environment.  The primary goals of the program are to train: (1) outstanding clinicians who will be adept at managing infectious diseases; and (2) future academic clinical educators.

The first year of the Clinician Educator Pathway is similar to the first year in the Research Pathway of our program, and is dedicated to providing clinical exposure to a broad spectrum of rheumatic diseases. Fellows spend the majority of the year rotating through the inpatient consult services and outpatient clinics at our three training sites under the supervision of an attending physician. In addition, fellows rotate through several Rheumatology subspecialty clinics such as the combined Rheum-Derm Clinic, Vasculitis Clinic, and the VA Women’s Rheumatology Clinic. All fellows also get extensive training in musculoskeletal ultrasound.

One continuity clinic at the VA and 2 at Stanford are maintained during the first year. Fellows also participate in weekly didactic and research conferences. Lastly, fellows engage in various scholarly activities such as QI projects, writing chapters, medical education, research projects and more.

Dr. Neha Shah, Program Director of the rheumatology fellowship, meets with each fellow regularly regarding their progress.  Additionally, each fellow chooses a career mentor who advises them regarding their clinical and research training.

The second year of the Clinician Educator Pathway includes 2 to 3 months on the inpatient consultation service and several outpatient clinics per week, including one Stanford and one VA continuity clinic. Besides rotating through Rheumatology subspecialty clinics such as the combined Rheum-Derm Clinic, Vasculitis Clinic, and VA Women’s Rheumatology clinic, fellows can choose from several electives outside of Rheumatology including but not limited to Interstitial Lung Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension, Osteoporosis, Inflammatory Eye Disease, Orthopedic/Sports Medicine, Podiatry, Radiology, PM&R, Pediatric Rheumatology, and many more.

Additional time is focused on scholarly activities and research geared towards training an outstanding academic clinician-educator.  The program is supportive of fellows’ specific learning goals and aims to adapt the second year of the program to meet the needs of the individual fellow. A sampling of opportunities includes:

• USSONAR certification in musculoskeletal ultrasound (full funding)
• Certificate in Epidemiology and Clinical Research (partial funding)
• QI projects
• Clinical trials
• Outcomes research
• Writing reviews and chapters