Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship

Overview

Welcome to the Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship Program at Cleveland Clinic Children’s!

Our program is a fully accredited three-year program in compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Successful completion of our program will guarantee eligibility for specialty boards and create a solid foundation for a successful career in pediatric rheumatology.

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Our fellowship program provides an innovative academic and clinical training to a new generation of leading pediatric rheumatology specialists. We provide comprehensive training in diagnostic, therapeutic and consultative skills.

We also have dedicated time devoted to the pursuit of research, academic and quality improvement projects throughout each year of training. Fellows are provided with an individualized Scholarship Oversight Committee which meets regularly to assist with the process of their projects. Fellows present their research in multiple forums, including the annual Douglas S. Moodie MD Pediatric Research Day.

Our didactics are extensive and our fellows are the lead players in presenting in weekly department grand rounds and journal clubs. In addition to peds rheumatology conferences, fellows take part in a Global Fellowship Research Curriculum which includes a six-part series on foundations of research and bioethics. They also have the opportunity to take part in many professional development programs through Cleveland Clinic's Center for Leadership.

Fellows are involved in all aspects of patient care within the Department of Pediatric Rheumatology. They are the primary caregivers and consultants to a wide variety of patients and are given increased autonomy as they move through the program.

At Cleveland Clinic Children’s, we offer some of the most sophisticated and specialized tests needed to diagnose many rheumatologic problems. We take a multidisciplinary approach to rheumatology. We see patients from Northeast Ohio and across the globe as a tertiary referral center. Our adult rheumatology colleagues in The Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases are ranked as one of the nation’s top divisions in rheumatology in the country with special focus on vasculitis and auto inflammatory diseases. Our team collaborates with other pediatric subspecialty providers (ophthalmology, pediatric dermatology, gastroenterology, infectious diseases), and we encourage patients and families to be active in all decision making.

We are proud to be active members of CARRA, the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance, and participate in multi-center research trials. We also offer ultrasound training with USSONAR, and collaborate with Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto as well as a 5 state collaboration of pediatric rheumatologists known as PENTA.

Our specialized faculty includes 4 pediatric rheumatologists with interests in auto inflammatory disease, vasculitis, juvenile dermatomyositis, transitional care, and musculoskeletal ultrasound.

We are excited to offer this truly unique opportunity for training in pediatric rheumatology at Cleveland Clinic Children’s!

How to Apply

Our program is sponsored by the National Residency Match Program Specialty Matching Services (NRMP) and participates in the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) Clinical Experience.

Eligible trainees must be graduates of the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACMGE) approved residency in the United States. Applications are only received through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and positions filled through the National Residency Match Program (NRMP).

For more information, please contact:

Angela Robinson, MD
Program Director
Email: robinsa8@ccf.org

Laurie Staltari
Program Coordinator
Email: staltal@ccf.org

Mailing Address
Cleveland Clinic Children’s
Pediatric Rheumatology Department, R3
8950 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44195
Phone: 216.538.9453

Benefits

Vacation

• 15 vacation days.
• 5 personal days (interviews, sick time, etc).

Conference attendance

Travel and logistical support is provided to the fellow for presentations at a regional or national meetings.

Salary

Please visit the Graduate Medical Education website for more information.

Additional benefits

• Cleveland Clinic sponsored Pediatric Board Review course available during your PGY4 year.
• Free iPhone for the duration of the fellowship.
• Greater Circle Living - $5000 forgivable loan grant.
• Cleveland Clinic discounts (dining, computers, cellphone carriers, and more).
• Free access to Cleveland Clinic fitness facilities (state-of-the art cardio and weight machines, Olympic sized swimming pool, basketball courts, fitness classes).

More information

The greater Cleveland area has a lot to offer. Nestled against beautiful Lake Erie, its attractions are diverse and include top notch schools, a fantastic city parks system, excellent dining of all types, a world renowned orchestra, exciting nightlife and concerts, a superb zoo and science center, botanical gardens, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and NBA, NFL and MLB teams whose games are all easily accessible. Fellowship appointment includes competitive salary and full benefits including paid vacation, maternity/paternity/adoption leave, health and dental insurance, and malpractice insurance. Visit the Graduate Medical Education website for more information.

Curriculum

This fellowship is a 3-year program with the last 2 years devoted to research/scholarly activity, which is typical for pediatric fellowships. First year fellows are expected to produce at least one review/case report/case series and one abstract submission. Second and third years will produce at least one in-depth scholarly work, a quality improvement project, and at least one abstract/poster presentation in a national forum during their 2 years of protected research time. Fellows also have the opportunity to produce smaller scholarly projects (case reports, case series, review articles, or chapters) throughout their fellowship as time allows. During the first year, there are 2 month-long blocks devoted to research. During the second and third year, there are at least 8 blocks per year devoted to research with minimal clinical responsibilities during that time.

Fellows will have access to Pediatric Core labs at Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute (LRI), educational classes for LRI, research curriculum through pediatrics fellowship. Funding will be provided by the Center or mentor. In our division, there are 3 board-certified pediatric rheumatologists and 1 board-certified adult rheumatologist, making for an adequate supply of mentors within the division, with a world-class adult rheumatology division providing a supply of secondary mentors. There are opportunities to obtain research and training grant funding for fellows from the Arthritis Foundation, the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Foundation, the Rheumatology Research Foundation, and the American College of Rheumatology.

Outpatient Clinic

• 1st year (PGY-4): Block 1-9 - 3½ days per week.
• 2nd year (PGY-5): 0.75 days per month = 6 ½ day clinics per month; ¾ day of clinic per week.
• 3rd year (PGY-6): 0.75 days per month = 6 ½ day clinics per month; ¾ day of clinic per week.

Service

• 1st year (PGY-4): 2 weeks of night call/month and 2 weekends/month, all week days when on consult service 10 months/yr. 
• 2nd year (PGY-5): 1 week of night call/month and 1 weekend/month; 4 weeks daytime consult service.
• 3rd year (PGY-6): 1 week of night call/month and 1 weekend/month; 4 weeks daytime consult service.

Electives

• Adult rheumatology, vasculitis, ophthalmology, dermatology, pulmonology, physical therapy, sport medicine or radiology.

Vacation/Personal

• Fellows allotted 15 vacation days and 5 personal dates = 20 days per academic year.

Available Lecture Series

Pediatric Institute Fellowship Academic Series

Rheumatology Fellowship Application

Applicants must be either certified by the ABP or board-eligible ABP by the start of the rheumatology fellowship.

All applicants applying for the first year fellowship positions will apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). We require the following to be included with each application:

• Application.
• Curriculum vitae and personal statement.
• Letter from the current program director.
• Notarized proof of graduation from medical school with date of graduation.
• At least two letters of recommendation (in addition to program director's letter).
• USMLE scores Step 1, Step 2 and Step 3.
• Additional information such as research activity and community involvement may be included as the applicant wishes.
• International Medical Graduates must meet the requirements of Cleveland Clinic's Graduate Medical Education.

Interviews typically take place in September and October. The selection process for the actual ranking of candidates will be systematic and consistent and decisions are based on criteria which are directly related to attributes/skills/knowledge identified as highly desirable for candidates in this specialty. Selection decisions will not be based on prejudicial factors or criteria not related to the ability to perform in that training program.

If you require more information or have any questions, please contact:

Laurie Staltari
Education Coordinator
Pediatrics Institute
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Ave./R3
Cleveland, OH 44195
Phone: 216-538-9453
Email: staltal@ccf.org

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