The goal of the rheumatology fellowship training program is to provide strong training in clinical rheumatology, research investigation, and in developing the fellow as a teacher.

Clinical training is accomplished with an emphasis on outpatient rheumatology.  Rheumatology fellows see patients in several outpatient settings including Rutledge Tower, the VA hospital, and the MUSC Bone and Joint Center. Rheumatology fellows gain exposure both to adults and children with rheumatic diseases.  Each fellow has continuity clinics in these locations which meet weekly and the patients are seen under the supervision of faculty rheumatology attendings.  Inpatient rheumatology consultations are seen at Medical University Hospital, Children’s Hospital, and at the VA hospital.

The Rheumatology Fellowship program uses three teaching hospitals: Medical University Hospital (MUH) (510 beds), Children’s Hospital (128 Beds), and the VA Medical Center (VAMC) (400 beds).  Outpatient rheumatology training occurs at Rutledge Tower, the MUSC Bone and Joint Center, and at the VAMC.  There are more than 10,000 outpatient visits in the rheumatology clinics per year.  Fellows gain a broad exposure to clinical rheumatology through both outpatient and inpatient responsibilities.  Areas of particular clinical emphasis include systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis, which reflect the areas of research emphasis in the MUSC Division of Rheumatology, however the rheumatology fellows gain a broad exposure to general rheumatology.

Each rheumatology fellow participates in a research project during the course of fellowship training.  Each fellow identifies a faculty mentor early in the first year of training and works closely with this faculty mentor on a clinical or basic science research project.  The fellow is involved in the project design and Internal Review Board approval process.  Rheumatology fellows also are given the opportunity to participate in clinical trials that are ongoing in the Division of Rheumatology.

Rheumatology fellows participate in several areas to enhance their skills as teachers.  The fellows serve as the teaching fellow on a monthly rotational basis and are responsible, in conjunction with a teaching attending, for the weekly rheumatology division rounds.  The teaching fellow participates in informal didactic teaching sessions with the medical students and internal medicine housestaff rotating on the rheumatology service.  The rheumatology fellows also rotate through the noon conference schedule for internal medicine and pediatric housestaff.  The rheumatology fellows also are given the opportunity to present their research at the local, regional, and/or national level.

Rheumatology fellows attend conferences on a regular basis which include both weekly and monthly conferences.  The weekly conferences are Rheumatology Division Grand Rounds and Internal Medicine Grand Rounds.  Other conferences include Pathology conference, Radiology conference, Radiology tutorial conference, Professors’ rounds, Basic Science conference, Rheumatology Fellows’ conference, and Journal Club.

Other opportunities available to rheumatology fellows include utilizing a three year training period to enhance training as a research fellow or to obtain a Masters in Clinical Research.  These opportunities are available and require specific discussion and planning with the rheumatology division.

 More information on fellowship training from the American College of Rheumatology

Fellowship Training Application Form
Rheumatology at MUSC participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and the national match process.  The application is available online and three letters of recommendation, as well as all application materials can be submitted online.

Any questions should be directed to the Fellowship Coordinator at (843)792-3484.

All correspondence should be directed to the Fellowship Director:

Dr. Marcy B. Bolster
96 Jonathan Lucas Street
Suite 912
Charleston, SC  29425
(843)792-3484