University of Florida College of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology offers a two-year ACGME accredited rheumatology subspecialty fellowship-training program. One subspecialty fellow enters each year for a total of two fellows in a given two-year period. Fellows will complete their training at UF Health Jacksonville and UF Health Emerson. The goal of the Rheumatology Fellowship is to develop well-trained clinical experts in the field of rheumatology who also possess the scientific background to interpret new findings and to actively participate in research.

• Goals and Objectives (Overall and by Rotation)
• Rheumatologic Ultrasound Curriculum Supplement

Clinical Training, Experience and Support

The subspecialty fellowship program in Rheumatology will provide training and supervised experience at a sufficient level to acquire competency as a specialist in rheumatic diseases. The training program is two years. The clinical experience in rheumatology will include opportunities to observe and manage inpatients and outpatients with a wide variety of rheumatologic disorders. Fellows will have the opportunity to assess and provide ongoing care for acutely and chronically ill patients in order to learn the natural history of rheumatologic disease, as well as the effectiveness of therapeutic agents. The trainee will have opportunities to assume responsibility under appropriate supervision for the care of patients in continuity clinics and provide consultation for a wide range of diseases in a variety of clinical settings. The fellowship program provides trainees with exposure to quality improvement processes and enables each fellow to become familiar with billing and coding issues.

Research Training, Experience and Support

The purpose of the rheumatology research component of the fellowship is to provide sufficient experience to the rheumatology fellow in all of the components that encompass the research process, from study design through publication. Every trainee will engage in a research project, with a goal to present (local, regional, national meeting) and/or publish this work in a peer-reviewed journal. 9 blocks of research during the 2-year fellowship will be completed in clinical research allowing the fellow to develop an understanding of scientific principles and their application to research projects. Additionally, didactic lectures dedicated to the development of research skills will be provided to trainees throughout their fellowship training.

Educational Programs/Conference Seminars

The Rheumatology curriculum includes didactics, which consists of weekly rheumatology lectures from faculty. It also includes monthly Rheumatology grand rounds, musculoskeletal radiology conference where cases are discussed with the radiology team, Journal club for discussion of peer-reviewed articles and Clinical case presentations. The fellowship utilizes the CANVAS Learning Management System to enhance and organize the curriculum.

Rotation Schedule

First year:

• 10.5 blocks consults
• 2.5 blocks research

Second year:

• 3 blocks consults
• 5 blocks research, 4 of which include supervised consults
• 5 blocks electives: includes pediatric rheumatology, neurology, radiology, ophthalmology, orthopedics and physical therapy and occupational therapy
• During each block there is 1-2 half-days of MSK Ultrasound Clinic

Clinical Facilities

• UF Health Emerson Medical Plaza
• UF Health Jacksonville
• UF Health Pediatric Multispecialty Center – Prudential Drive