Curriculum

The MetroHealth Medical Center Rheumatology Fellowship is a 2-year, ACGME-accredited training program affiliated with Case Western Reserve University. Board eligibility in internal medicine, following successful completion of an IM residency is a prerequisite.

The overall goals of the Rheumatology training program are:

• To provide the trainee with an appropriate background to establish a successful career in clinical rheumatology or research;
• To provide the educational opportunities and clinical experience sufficient to enable the trainee to successfully obtain board certification in the subspecialty of rheumatology;
• To expose the trainee to training in basic science and clinical research, enabling him or her to establish a career in research.

These goals are achieved by incorporating the following program objectives:

• Provision of a broad, comprehensive experience in ambulatory and inpatient rheumatology practice, including both consultation and continuity care; 
• A concentrated exposure to ancillary disciplines of importance to the clinical rheumatologist, including orthopedics, rehabilitation medicine, pediatric rheumatology and geriatric medicine; 
• Direct involvement in a mentored research experience; 
• Participation, organization, and presentation by the fellow in a broad range of regularly scheduled didactic and clinical conferences.

A key educational aspect throughout this training program involves fostering and promoting the fellow’s ability to achieve success in six general competency areas:

• Patient care skills
• Medical knowledge
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Professionalism
• Practice based learning and improvement
• Systems based practice

Download All Curriculum

Example of our didactic half day

8:00 am – West Side Conference

(fellow presented interesting cases with literature review; includes attendings, residents and often rheumatologists from outside metrohealth)

9:00 am – Musculoskeletal lecture on knee

(attending presentation of the anatomy, physical exam and common pathology)

10:00 am – Ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal workshop of the knee

(hands-on with ultrasound machine in clinic with fellows and attending)

11:00 am – Immunology course

(attending lead discussion based on monthly chapter from assigned immunology book)

*Didactic schedules vary week to week and may include: Rheumatology Grand rounds, Combined Rheumatology-Radiology Conference, Combined Pathology-rheumatology conference, Faculty-led case discussion, Journal club, Research presentations, basic science lectures etc

Typical Fellowship Schedule

Ultrasound

Our program is well equipped to teach fellows in musculoskeletal ultrasound. Cheung C. Yue, MD, RhMSUS, Nora G. Singer, MD and Hulya Bukulmez, MD were trained by USSONAR and two are RhMSUS certified.

In addition, we have two Philips Lumify portable ultrasound machines available for use on the inpatient service as well as at other satellite locations.  There is a dedicated MSK US schedule staffed by Dr. Yue on the first and third Thursdays of each month.  Additional impromptu studies are often performed during regular clinic hours and during consult rounds.

All fellows graduating from the MetroHealth fellowship program will have a basic understanding of ultrasound technology and how to use musculoskeletal ultrasound in clinical practice.  First year fellows will have at least 10 hours of hands-on instruction including ultrasound-guided injection techniques.   Those with particular interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound are encouraged to compete for the USSONAR training program in their second year.  This additional training opportunity is sought after and is available to fellows in good standing.