Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Fellowship Program

Fellowship Tracks

The UPMC Rheumatology Fellowship Program offers a rich and flexible training experience designed to support each fellow’s professional goals. All fellows complete a rigorous foundation in clinical rheumatology, then have the opportunity to focus their training through one of three specialized tracks: Clinician, Clinician-Educator, or Physician-Scientist. Each pathway provides structured mentorship, dedicated scholarly time, and access to the exceptional resources of the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC to prepare fellows for impactful careers as clinicians, educators, or investigators.

Clinician Track

All rheumatology fellows complete a shared core curriculum that combines a comprehensive didactic program with extensive hands-on clinical experience under close faculty supervision. Through UPMC’s broad referral network, fellows care for patients with both common rheumatic diseases and rare multisystem autoimmune or autoinflammatory disorders.

As active members of multidisciplinary care teams, fellows assume primary responsibility for longitudinal patient management under faculty guidance. During inpatient consult rotations, fellows collaborate closely with attending physicians and help teach medical students, residents, and other trainees across UPMC’s tertiary, VA, and community hospital settings.

Fellows complete a scholarly project in either basic, clinical, or quality improvement by the end of the second year. Those pursuing full-time clinical careers gain additional experience through a continuity clinic in a community-based practice during their second year and electives in tele-rheumatology and musculoskeletal ultrasound training.

Clinician–Educator Track

Fellows interested in medical education receive the same robust clinical training as those in the Clinician Track, with additional emphasis on teaching, curriculum design, and educational leadership in the second year. Participants can pursue formal coursework through the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Clinical Research Education (ICRE). The Certificate in Medical Education (15 credits) can be completed during the two-year fellowship.

The Master’s in Medical Education (30 credits) typically requires a third year of training, which may be supported through grant funding or the NIH T32 Research Training Program. The program provides scheduling flexibility to accommodate coursework and educational projects. Fellows also complete a scholarly project by the end of the second year and are encouraged to publish case reports or educational innovations.

Physician–Scientist Track

The Physician–Scientist Track is designed for fellows who aspire to become independent investigators in basic, translational, or clinical research. This track provides a structured, mentored research experience and requires at least a three-year commitment. Fellows receive the same foundational clinical education as those in the Clinician Track, with dedicated time for laboratory or translational research beginning in the second year. Midway through the first year, trainees meet with principal investigators to identify research mentors, develop individualized projects, and outline long-term career development goals.

Research training is tailored to each fellow’s scientific interests and conducted under the close mentorship of established investigators in rheumatology, immunology, or related biomedical disciplines. The required third year of fellowship is supported by NIH T32 Research Training Grants, providing advanced research experience and preparation for independent funding opportunities.