The USC Rheumatology Fellowship Program training is enhanced by a comprehensive and structured curriculum that includes both didactic and hands-on bedside teaching. Special care is taken to ensure that our didactic curriculum provides each fellow with a broad-based fund of knowledge which complements the outstanding clinical teaching delivered both in the inpatient and ambulatory settings.

Rotation Schedule

PGY 4

Inpatient Rotations

  • 12 weeks of LAGMC

  • 12 weeks of Keck Hospital

  • 12 weeks of Ranch Los Amigos

Other Rotations

  • 8 weeks of Research

  • 12 weeks of MSK ultrasound

  • 4 weeks of Vacation

PGY 5

Inpatient Rotations

  • 4 weeks of LAGMC

  • 4 weeks of Keck Hospital

  • 4 weeks of Rancho Los Amigos

  • 4 weeks of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Other Rotations

  • 28 weeks of Research

  • 20 weeks of MSK ultrasound

  • 4 weeks of Vacation

Conferences

Clinical Case Conference – A weekly case-based series on important topics in Rheumatology, involving the critical elements for evaluation and management of rheumatic disease.

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Journal Club – A weekly series focused on interpreting and critiquing the medical literature. Fellows are mentored by our expert faculty.

Core Curriculum Lecture Series – A concentrated series of didactic lectures delivered weekly by division faculty on the essential topics covering the entire breadth of Rheumatology.

Multi-disciplinary Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Conference – Monthly conference at USC with Pulmonology, Pathology, and Radiology dedicated to reviewing diagnosis and care plan for patients with ILD

Research Conference – Faculty and fellows showcase their research projects and receive feedback.

Radiology Conference – Monthly conference where fellows review patients’ imaging studies with radiologists in a small-group setting and learn key features of MSK radiology.

Board Review Lecture Series – Conferences dedicated to reviewing practice board questions and help fellows to prepare for their board certification exams.

Clinical Rotations

Los Angeles General Medical Center Consult Service

Objectives:

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  • Lead a consultative team comprised of internal medicine residents and medical students, which provides an excellent opportunity to teach

  • Develop clinical skills in the evaluation of patients with rheumatologic (and suspected rheumatologic) conditions, including interpretation of common immunologic laboratory tests and radiographic exams

  • Become comfortable with the diagnosis and management of acute rheumatologic complaints and emergencies in the inpatient setting

  • Become competent regarding the indications, complications, and techniques of arthrocentesis

  • Appreciate complexities of caring for underserved patients with rheumatic disease within a public healthcare setting

Keck Hospital of USC Consult Service

Objectives:

  • Develop skills regarding the evaluation and management of a wide variety of rheumatologic conditions in a private, tertiary care center

  • Develop effective communication skills to establish professional relationships between patients, family members, and consulting physicians

  • Become familiar and comfortable with common rheumatologic conditions seen in the private outpatient setting

  • Appreciate complexities of caring for insured patients with rheumatic disease within a private healthcare system

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center

Objectives:

  • Develop an understanding of the multidisciplinary team approach to managing patients with rheumatologic conditions

  • Become familiar with the indications, prescribing, and monitoring of biologic infusions for patients with rheumatic disease

  • Acquire technical proficiency in diagnostic arthrocentesis and therapeutic joint injections

  • Learn the indications for surgical intervention in patients with arthritis (inflammatory & degenerative)

  • Understand the appropriate pre-operative evaluation of a patient with a rheumatologic condition as well as necessary medication adjustments during the peri-operative period

  • Become comfortable with the various methods of rehabilitation, including physical therapy, orthotics, splinting, etc

  • Continue development of skills such as interpretation of immunologic labs and radiographic exams, including DXA

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Objectives:

  • Become familiar and comfortable with the initial evaluation of a child with suspected rheumatologic conditions

  • Develop clinical skills regarding the evaluation of children with systemic autoimmune conditions

  • Gain an understanding of the management of children with rheumatologic conditions and the possible associated complications and/or side effects of therapy

  • Understand the unique psychosocial issues involved in children with chronic diseases

  • Become familiar with the challenges faced by young adults as they prepare to transition into the adult care system

Ambulatory Clinic/Research Rotation

Objectives:

  • Continue to develop skills in the management of complex rheumatology patients in the outpatient setting

  • Obtain technical skills in diagnostic ultrasonography and develop an understanding of the management of soft tissue problems with the aid of musculoskeletal ultrasound

  • Acquire technical proficiency in diagnostic arthrocentesis and therapeutic joint injections, under both landmark and ultrasound guidance

  • Continue to become proficient at literature searches and use of relevant medical literature to effect patient care

  • Become familiar with the procedures of conducting pharmaceutical sponsored clinical trials

  • Gain experience in research methodology, data collection, manuscript and abstract writing, poster presentation at annual scientific meeting of the ACR

  • Participate in Quality Improvement and Process Improvement (QI/PI) projects to improve quality of care for patients with rheumatic disease