The Rheumatology Fellowship offered by NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine prepares physicians for successful careers as consultants in rheumatic and immunologic disorders. Our fellowship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Our fellows care for patients with a wide range of rheumatic diseases at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island and Nassau University Medical Center. This combined experience comprises the foundation of our clinical training curriculum. Our didactic basic and clinical science curriculum enhances clinical training by emphasizing the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and immunology of rheumatic diseases as well as evidence-based approaches to advanced therapeutics. Fellows also have dedicated time to pursue research projects with faculty mentors.

Program Details

Led by program director Elise Belilos, MD, the Rheumatology Fellowship is offered by the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, part of the Department of Medicine.

Fellows in our two-year integrated fellowship gain extensive experience in all aspects of rheumatic pathology, including the immunologic aspects of rheumatic disease. Fellows also train with musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologists using technologies including MSK ultrasound.

Our 1.5-to-1 faculty to fellow ratio allows for personalized training that focuses on trainees’ individual professional goals.

Rheumatology Fellowship program aims include the following:

• train expert clinical rheumatologists who are poised to pursue careers as clinicians, clinical educators, and investigators, or in industry
• encourage teaching skills and involve fellows in the education of medical students and internal medicine residents to instill values of lifelong learning and self-improvement
• utilize diverse clinical and demographic populations, including a large undocumented population, to emphasize the recognition and mitigation of healthcare disparities and optimize transitions of care
• provide experience in diagnosing and caring for the full spectrum of rheumatic disorders; trainees develop and achieve a comprehensive management plan for each patient with progressive responsibility and independence in inpatient experiences and continuity clinics
• provide a didactic basic and clinical science curriculum that emphasizes the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and immunology of rheumatic diseases, as well as evidence-based approaches to advanced therapeutics
• facilitate dedicated time for clinical, translational, and quality improvement research projects with faculty mentors
• teach integrity and ethical behavior, with an emphasis on responding to each patient's unique characteristics and needs
• emphasize collaboration and communication with a variety of interprofessional teams to address the multisystem nature of complex patient cases

Clinical Training

Rheumatology fellows serve as primary consultants with faculty supervision for inpatients admitted to the rheumatology service at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island and Nassau University Medical Center. Fellows are responsible for approximately 250 consults each year at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island. In addition, while rotating at Nassau University Medical Center, fellows supervise the management and treatment of inpatients and perform consultations.

Fellows attend two continuity clinics per week at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island as well as a weekly Lupus Clinic and an Arthritis Clinic at Nassau University Medical Center where, under supervision, they assume responsibility for all aspects of patient care. Fellows also have the opportunity to attend clinics and rounds with a pediatric rheumatologist in the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, part of the Department of Pediatrics.

The Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology provides extensive consultative and therapeutic services for patients with rheumatic and autoimmune disorders through active inpatient and outpatient services.

Fellows train in the following programs located at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island or Nassau University Medical Center:

• Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease Center Program
• Biologic Infusion Therapy Program
• Vasculitis Evaluation and Therapy Program
• Sjogren’s Syndrome Program
• Lupus Clinic
• Lupus and Pregnancy Program
• Clinical Trials Program

Rotations are divided equally between NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island clinical service, Nassau University Medical Center clinical service, outpatient elective, and research.

Scholarly Activities

Our didactic program includes a weekly rheumatology academic and scientific conference and a weekly clinical conference. Journal club, quality improvement conferences, basic science of medicine lectures, and research conferences are regularly scheduled throughout the academic year.

Sessions with our MSK radiologists are integrated into the outpatient elective rotation, and fellows have access to MSK ultrasound equipment for practice.

Research Opportunities

Fellows have opportunities to participate in clinical, translational, quality improvement, and bench research, with projects chosen in consultation with faculty.

Major areas of investigation by our faculty include accelerated atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatologic aspects of Sjogren’s syndrome, large vessel vasculitis, and women’s health in autoimmune rheumatic disease.

Current clinical outcome studies focus on polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.

How to Apply

Applicants should apply two years before the start of their fellowship. All applications will be processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

Starting on July 15 of each year, programs begin downloading information. It is in the applicant’s best interest to have all materials uploaded in a timely manner. The deadline for all completed applications is in September.

The following materials are required for application:

• medical school transcript
• three letters of recommendation
• personal statement describing research interest and career goals
• CV
• U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1, 2, and 3 scores
• J-1 visa (required for international applicants)

Applicants will be contacted through ERAS if they are selected for an interview.

Contact Us

For more information about our program and how to apply, please email Rita Francique, program coordinator, at Rita.Francique@NYULangone.org.

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