The Division of Pediatric Rheumatology provides a nationally recognized, ACGME accredited fellowship program in pediatric rheumatology. The program can accommodate one to two fellows per year and is tailored to the individual fellow’s interest and previous experience. The objective of the program is to prepare fellows for careers as academic pediatric rheumatologists by providing rigorous clinical training as well as a firm foundation in basic or clinical research.
The first year of the fellowship provides a focused, intensive exposure to clinical rheumatology. Depending on their long-term objectives, the fellows spend between 6-9 months during the first year on the inpatient consult service where they gradually take on more responsibility for the care of hospitalized patients with rheumatologic disorders. During these months, they will also have the opportunity to see approximately 10 patients per week in the infusion center as well as perform 25-35 intra-articular joint injections/year in the outpatient procedure center. They will also participate in two half-day outpatient clinics per week where under the supervision of an attending physician, they will each see 10-12 patients with a wide variety of rheumatologic disorders (including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), spondylarthropathies, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mixed connective tissue disease, Sjogren’s syndrome, juvenile dermatomyositis (JDMS), vasculitis, chronic pain syndromes, sarcoidosis, morphea, systemic sclerosis, Bechet’s, CRMO, periodic fever syndromes…). They will also see JRA patients in a specialized half-day clinic at Shriner’s hospital twice a month. The fellows have the opportunity to participate in elective rotations tailored to fit their interests and long-term goals (e.g., musculoskeletal radiology, pediatric orthopedics, or adult rheumatology). During the first year, each fellow is also provided time to investigate research opportunities within the Washington University Medical Center and guidance in identifying a research mentor. The fellows are allowed great latitude in selecting a research mentor from throughout the Washington University faculty.
During the second and third year, the fellows are provided the opportunity to primarily focus on research. This time allows the fellows to become firmly grounded in the skills necessary to complete a basic or clinical research project. They work closely with their identified mentors to develop an independent research project, design a plan to complete the project, troubleshoot problems as they occur, analyze their data, and write up their results for publication. The goal is for the trainees to have their results published in a peer-reviewed journal and ultimately to be equipped to compete for extramural funding as independent investigators. In addition during the second and third years, the fellows continue to hone their clinical skills by participating in a weekly one half-day rheumatology clinic where they gradually take on more and more independence under the supervision of an attending physician. Depending on the fellow’s long-term objectives, they may also spend several additional months on the inpatient consult service.
The Division of Pediatric Rheumatology provides ample didactic lectures, seminars, and conferences to ensure that the fellows will acquire the necessary understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of the core diseases in the field of pediatric rheumatology. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on not only understanding the diseases and potential therapeutic options but also on elucidating the etiology and aberrant immunological mechanisms involved in the specific autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders. Throughout the academic year, the fellows participate in a series of didactic lectures that systematically review the core disorders in pediatric rheumatology. In addition, the fellows participate in a weekly Division of Pediatric Rheumatology case conference as well as a weekly translational conference and Rheumatology Grand Rounds held in conjunction with the adult Rheumatology Division at Washington University. The fellows periodically present at these conferences to develop effective communication skills. Depending on the fellows’ long-term interests, they are also encouraged to participate in other conferences and journal clubs on the medical campus (e.g., the Immunology Department’s weekly seminar series and work-in-progress seminars or the Department of Molecular Microbiology’s seminar series). Opportunities are also available for Fellows to enroll in graduate level courses in immunology, epidemiology, biostatistics, microbiology, genetics, and study design.
Application Instructions and Program Contact
The Fellowship Program participates both in ERAS and in the National Resident Matching Program for Pediatric Rheumatology. For fellowship training beginning in July 2012, applicants can download the ERAS Applicant User Guide beginning in mid-late June 2011. The ERAS application service will open July 1st, 2011. At that time, applicants may begin to work on their applications and upload their application materials. For our fellowship, we will require the common application form (CAF), a one page personal statement discussing career plans and goals, USMLE Certified Transcript, and three letters of recommendation (including a letter of reference from your residency program director). Please consult the ERAS web site for further details. We will begin to access applications in August. Completed applications will be screened and selected applicants will be invited to travel to St. Louis to meet with our faculty and fellows and tour the facilities. These interviews will commence in September and continue until October/November. For the NRMP Pediatric Rheumatology match, applicants may register beginning August 10, 2011. Rank order list submission commences October 5th, 2011 and closes November 16th, 2011. Match day is November 30th, 2011. Please consult the NRMP web site for further details.
Foreign medical graduates must be certified by the ECFMG and have completed residency training in pediatrics in the United States.
If you require additional information, please contact the Program Coordinator, Pam Wilson.
Pamela Wilson
Department of Pediatrics
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology
Washington University School of Medicine
660 South Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8208
St Louis, MO 63110
Wilson_P@kids.wustl.edu
Phone: (314) 286-2778
Current Fellows
Brad Ornstein, M.D.
M.D., 2005, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Residency: St . Louis Children’s Hospital, St Louis, MO
Emilina Lim, M.D.
M.D., 1993, Manila Central University, Philippines
Residency: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Maleewan Kitcharoensakkul, M.D.
M.D., 2002, Siraraj Hospital, Thailand
Residency: St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO