Education

Unique Aspects of the Program

Fellows can take advantage of the breadth and depth of clinical training offered at Children’s National as well as research training opportunities at Children’s National and the NIH. Fellows have an opportunity to do research at NIAMS through CNH-NIAMS partnership. Research opportunities at other NIH institutes such as National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

About Our Program

The first year of training is dedicated to an intensive clinical exposure to rheumatology in inpatient and outpatient settings and is based at the main campus of Children's National Hospital. Fellows have elective opportunities in adult rheumatology including myositis clinic through GW University School of Medicine, and other subspecialties within Children’s National Hospital.

Rheumatology Inpatient Service

Rheumatology is a consultation service at Children’s National. First year fellows spend 6-8 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. Fellows are also encouraged to attend subspecialty clinics such as the combined Rheumatology-Nephrology lupus clinic, Rheumatology-Dermatology clinic, and the Rheumatology-Pulmonology clinic.

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.
Trainees are encouraged 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 to medical students and residents 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 an advanced master’s degree.

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

Fellows' College: All fellows at Children's National are required to participate in a Fellows' Core Competency curriculum to augment each specific subspecialty fellowship program. The college curriculum is protected time for fellows in the form of quarterly academic days of 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.
Radiology conference: Occurs twice a month where imaging studies are reviewed with a musculoskeletal radiologist.
Rheumatology clinical case conference: A biweekly meeting where we present interesting/challenging cases, review the literature, and discuss best practices.
Weekly educational meeting: A division wide meeting that comprises journal club, research meeting, and educational meeting/fellow’s seminar series.
Rheumatology book review: A weekly fellow-driven meeting where American Board of Pediatrics content outline-based curriculum review is conducted.
NIAMS Grand Rounds and Translational Journal Club: Occurs on Fridays at NIH. Fellows are encouraged to attend and participate in these sessions when they are at NIH.
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
- Renal Pathology Rounds
- Small group resident and medical student teaching

The majority of the second and third years are 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 fellow’s research experiences.

Research Project

First year fellows are given time to explore research opportunities, choose projects and establish mentoring relationships.
Trainees can select laboratory-based basic, translational or clinical research opportunities through the NIH, the Children’s National 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the call responsibilities for rheumatology fellows?

What are the elective opportunities for rheumatology fellows?

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

What are the clinical responsibilities in continuity clinic?

Fellows have one-half day per week dedicated to outpatient clinic and continuity of care throughout the three years of fellowship. Additionally, fellows attend the outpatient rheumatology clinic with attending physicians. This time is spent increasing the trainees’ knowledge in pediatric rheumatology and in developing an appreciation for and an understanding of the longitudinal nature of rheumatology care. Fellows will have the responsibility of managing all aspects of their patients’ care from diagnosis to long term management of disease and medications.

Does the program consider Med/Peds candidates?

Plan Well, Live Healthy

Children's National Hospital is proud to offer quality healthcare options that are affordable and accessible. We also offer additional benefits that are designed to support many aspects of your life, from health and wellness services to income protection and retirement.

To learn more about fellowship applications, view a sample contract and explore next steps, visit the Candidates for Residency or Fellowship page below. For general benefits information, please visit our Employee Benefits page.

Explore contract details View employee benefits