Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship

Research

The majority of the second and third year is dedicated to research/scholarly activity with clinical responsibilities limited to continuity clinics and some on-call responsibility. Each fellow has a Scholarship Oversight Committee responsible for providing direction and oversight of the fellows’ research experiences.

Research Project

• First-year fellows are given time to further explore research opportunities, choose projects, and establish mentoring relationships

• Trainees can select laboratory-based basic or translational, or clinical research opportunities through the NIH, the Children’s Research Institute at Children's National, and with attending physicians in rheumatology.

• Applicants interested in research training at the NIH are strongly encouraged to identify and meet with potential mentors during the interview process to ensure feasibility and facilitate planning.

Clinical

The first year of training is dedicated to an intensive clinical exposure in rheumatology, and is based at Children's National, with one-half to one day per week at the NIH. Fellows can rotate through Washington Hospital Center or NIAMS for experience in adult rheumatology and exposure to clinical protocols.

Rheumatology Inpatient Service

Rheumatology is a consultation service at Children's National. First-year fellows spend six-eight months on consultation service.

Rheumatology Clinic

Fellows will attend the outpatient rheumatology clinic with attending physicians. Fellows have their own continuity clinic for one-half day a week. Fellows are expected to identify new rheumatology patients from their consultations and referrals and follow them longitudinally for three years in their continuity clinic. Fellows are expected to attend outreach clinics with attendings when time permits.  

Opportunities for Trainees

• Academic Services Assistance Program, provided by the institution, includes training in biostatistics, informatics, software, finance and budget, IRB, leadership training, and medical education.
• Second and third year trainees have the opportunity to present topics for the residents and medical students during attending rounds, the Resident Core Lecture series, professorial rounds, and medical student education conferences.
• Fellows provide informal teaching through the five-minute preceptor technique as part of their supervisory role in both the clinic and consultation service.
• Fellows will have opportunity to acquire skills in musculoskeletal ultrasonography.
• Fellows have the opportunity to obtain a Masters in Public Health or a Masters in Clinical and Translational Sciences during their second and third years of training. Course work is offered through the George Washington University (GWU) School of Public Health.

Conferences

• Radiology conference occurs twice a month where radiological images are reviewed with musculoskeletal radiologist.  
• Rheumatology clinical case conference is a weekly meeting where we present interesting/challenging cases, review the literature and discuss best practices.
• Weekly educational meeting is a division wide meeting where each week of the month, journal club, research meeting, and educational meeting/fellow’s seminar series are conducted.
• NIAMS Grand Rounds and Translational Journal Club: Fellows are encouraged to attend and participate in these sessions at NIAMS on Fridays.
• Other Children’s National conferences: Fellows are encouraged to attend hospital-wide educational conferences including, but not limited to:
  • Grand Rounds - Wednesday
  • Professorial Rounds - Thursday
  • Subspecialty Conferences
  • Small group resident and medical student teaching

Education

Trainees receive both formal and informal education throughout the fellowship. They also play an active role in the education of pediatric residents, medical students, and other trainees.

Rounds, Seminar Series, and Lecture Series

• Fellow lecture series is a monthly meeting where the trainees have a formal didactic session with attending physicians about general topics in the core rheumatology curriculum.
• Fellows Core Competency Curriculum: All fellows are required to participate in the Fellows’ Core Competency curriculum in order to meet ACGME requirements. The Core Curriculum is protected time for fellows. This curriculum includes biweekly two hour seminars and workshops teaching a variety of common topics required by the ACGME and American Board of Pediatrics. The topics revolve around the six ACGME core competencies: research, quality improvement, administration, medical education, leadership and professionalism.

Schedule

• Year 1: First Tuesday, 12-2 pm
• Year 2: Third Tuesday, 12-2 pm
• Year 3: Fourth Tuesday, 12-1 pm

Faculty and Staff

Physicians (Children's National Health System)

Dr. Lawrence Jung

Dr. Tova Ronis

Dr. Hemalatha Srinivasalu

Physicians (NIH)

Dr. Robert Colbert

Dr. Raphaela Goldbach-Mansky

Dr. Michael Ombrello

Dr. Keith Sikora

Dr. Lisa Rider

Nurses

Rachel Connor

Monika Relman

Amelia Roberts

Amy Harris

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the call responsibilities for rheumatology fellows?

A: Trainees are required to take call from home during the week and will round on the weekends. This schedule is developed by the trainees and is flexible.

Q: What are the elective opportunities for rheumatology fellows?

A: First-year fellows have opportunity for electives in Adult Rheumatology, Immunology, Lab Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation among others. Fellows are encouraged to choose electives focused to their interest.

Q: Is there an opportunity for fellows to learn musculoskeletal ultrasound technique?

A: Fellows are exposed to basics of musculoskeletal ultrasound and are encouraged to enroll in online ultrasound course.

Q: What are the clinical responsibilities in continuity clinic?

A: Fellows have one-half day per week dedicated to outpatient clinic and continuity of care throughout the three years of fellowship. This time is spent increasing the trainees’ knowledge in a selected sub-specialty area of interest and in developing an appreciation for and an understanding of the longitudinal nature of rheumatology care. The fellows will have the responsibility of managing all aspects of their patients’ care from diagnosis to long term management of disease and medications. 

Q: What are the benefits?

A: Benefits available to fellows include:

• Health, Dental, Vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Annual and Sick Leave
• Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Backup Child and Elder Care 

A detailed summary of all benefits can be found in our Benefits Guide.

How to Apply

We accept applications through ERAS and participate in the NRMP for selection. Applicants are required to have completed an ACGME pediatric residency.

• Accept US citizen, Green card, J1 visa and H1B visa
• Need to be able to get a DC medical license
• 3 letters of recommendations

If you have any questions about the application process, please call Program Coordinator Myisha Braddock at 202-476-6689 or Program Director Dr. Lawrence Jung at 202-476-6337. 

We interview one day a week in August and September.  Multiple candidates may be interviewed on the same day.