Frequently Asked Questions
How many fellowship positions are available each year?
2 fellows match annually
How many hospitals do fellows receive training in?
5 hospitals, all are within walking distance of each other. Detroit Receiving Hospital (DRH), Harper University Hospital (HUH), Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM) Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI) and the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center (JDDVAMC).
How would you characterize your treating patient population?
Detroit boasts an ethnically diverse patient population with a great deal of diversity in pathology. Generally speaking, the majority of Detroit residents are medically disadvantaged with complex social determinants of health (i.e. lack of access to reliable transportation) leading to exacerbations in chronic comorbidities. We hope that telemedicine options will expand access to care. Barriers to care present a great educational opportunity and challenge for rheumatology fellows. After learning to treat the underserved patient, you will be well prepared to practice anywhere in the country or globally!
Where do the fellows generally live?
There are many housing opportunities within close proximity to the DMC. Many fellows choose to commute from a number of Detroit suburbs, including Royal Oak, Dearborn and Troy and current fellows live anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes from the hospital.
Is free parking available?
Yes. Fellows have access to multiple parking structures (free) throughout the DMC.
What kind of Electronic Health Record (EHR) is used?
Our fellows are trained in 3 different EHRs. Cerner (inpatient), Athena (outpatient) and CPRS-Vista (VA). EHR training is provided at the start of your fellowship.
When do fellows start to perform procedures during fellowship?
Fellows perform procedures in both first and second year
Are teaching opportunities available to fellows?
Yes! One of the great benefits of training at Wayne State is to have enthusiastic residents and medical students rotate with us on the consult service and in clinic.
How are your educational didactics structured?
We offer a weekly board review session and a weekly series of grand rounds lectures and teaching sessions on important topics in rheumatology. Faculty and fellows gather every week for an academic meeting that include journal club, discussion of challenging and interesting cases, board review questions, outside speakers, review interesting or difficult images with radiologists, and literature review presented by the fellows. Fellows are regularly updated with new guidelines that are discussed at the weekly academic meeting. These didactics greatly assist in preparation for the board exam.
Are research opportunities available?
Yes. Each fellow is expected to participate in at least one basic/clinic research and or quality improvement project prior to graduation. We have a number of faculty engaged in exciting research projects. Faculty are very open to fellows joining their ongoing research efforts. Faculty are also willing to mentor fellows in terms of research methodology, development of protocols and manuscript composition. The level of research effort may be individually tailored to the fellow's interest.
Are fellows able to attend scientific meetings/educational conferences during training?
Absolutely! The program highly encourages and financially supports this through a generous educational stipend. During the COVID-19 pandemic scientific meetings are being offered virtually and fellows are encouraged to attend. Time off to attend outside educational activities is coordinated with the Program Director, Chief Fellow, with notification to the Program Coordinator.
How much vacation time are fellows allotted?
21 days (week days), excluding weekends and 3 personal days. CME and conferences are not counted towards vacation days.
Is moonlighting allowed?
Yes. However, all moonlighting must be pre-approved by the Program Director. Duty hours cannot be exceeded during moonlighting. Those on J1 visa's are also no allowed to moonlight per visa requirements.
How much is the educational stipend?
There is a $2500 reimbursable educational stipend. Purchases are pre-approved by the Program Director. Fellows submit receipts to the Program Coordinator and receive reimbursement after GME approval via direct deposit. Pre-approved educational expenses include travel/registration and accommodations for scientific meetings, electronics such as laptops/tablets, and question banks for board prep and any other books/software and educational material as well as membership in professional societies.
Are meals provided when on call?
Yes. Meal cards are handed out twice a year that may be used at the HUH food court. Meal cards can be used to purchase a wide array of food/snacks and may be used at any time during the fellowship.
Where do your fellows practice after graduation?
Locations of practice after graduation vary. Most of our fellows enter private practice. A number, choose to become academic clinicians. Several of our fellows have returned to their home countries to bring their knowledge and education for the benefit of their countrymen.
How well do fellows do on board certification exams?
Our average board pass rate over the last 4 years is over 94% (compared with the national average of 94%).
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