Rheumatology Fellowship Program
Advance your career with the University of Louisville's two-year Rheumatology training program.
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The University of Louisville Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program is a two-year program administered through the University of Louisville School of Medicine and run by the Division of Rheumatology, and is open to all eligible applicants.
The program is designed to be in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) to guarantee that all individuals completing the entire two-year program will be eligible for board certification in Rheumatology.
Goals
The goal of the Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program is to prepare fellows for a career in Rheumatology by providing extensive clinical training, basic or clinical research experience, and teaching responsibilities. The fellow will develop these skills in an environment of scholarship and inquiry. The graduating fellow will possess the cognitive knowledge, procedural and interpersonal skills, professional attitudes and practical experience required to become a practicing rheumatologist.
The successful Rheumatology academician must possess a broad variety of skills that will be provided by the fellowship training program. Trainees will develop experience and expertise in the diagnosis and management of a diverse spectrum of patients with disorders referable to the disciplines of Rheumatology.
This experience and expertise will be acquired by the trainee under the supervision of attending faculty through the management of patients in primary care and consultative roles in diverse inpatient and ambulatory settings. The trainee will acquire skills in basic or clinical investigation by conducting research in a structured and supervised environment. These clinical and research experiences will be supplemented by numerous conferences and didactic lectures.
Program Structure
The Fellowship program encompasses 24 months of clinical time. This focuses on Adult Rheumatology at the University of Louisville healthcare system and Robley Rex VA Medical Center. Fellows will also have a rotation with and exposure to pediatric rheumatology with Norton Children's hospital adjacent to the University of Louisville hospital.
Additional clinical exposure and/or rotations are offered with Dermatology, Hand Surgery, Nephrology, Orthopedics, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pulmonology.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound exposure and certification for fellows interested is offered and Dr. Housam Sarakbi serves as Chair of the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Oversight Committee at the American College of Rheumatology. Ongoing research projects are also available for interested fellows..
Program Details
Application and Interview Process
To ensure a uniform interview process that is equitable to all applicants, our fellowship interviews for applicants in 2026-2027 will be held exclusively virtually.
The Rheumatology Fellowship participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NMRP®).
Applications are accepted through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®).
Applicants must have successfully completed, or be in final year of, an ACGME accredited residency program in either Internal Medicine or MedPeds, passed United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE®) Steps 1, 2, & 3, or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA) equivalent.
Applicants must possess a Kentucky Medical License before the start of the Fellowship
Trainee Benefits
Life Insurance
Term life insurance is provided for all trainees, in the amount of $2000 of life insurance for each $1000 of annual stipend. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included.
Health Insurance
Single and family coverage is available at group rates. Several different plans at varying costs are available to choose from. Trainees may choose Premium Conversion, which permits payment of premiums with pre-tax dollars. Flexible Spending Accounts also available.
Workers Compensation
All trainees are covered by workers compensation for medical expenses and lost work time due to job-related illness or injury.
Disability Insurance
Long-term disability insurance is provided for trainees, free of charge. Trainees have the option of converting the coverage from group to individual at the end of their training and the option of purchasing additional coverage at very reduced rates.
Malpractice Insurance
Coverage is provided for all trainees by either the University of Louisville or by the hospitals to which trainees are assigned. This coverage applies to all assigned rotations that are part of fellowship training.
Dental Care and Coverage
The Faculty Practice Office in the Outpatient Care Center will provide annual examination, including cleaning and up to four bitewing x-rays, to trainees free of charge. Any additional services are the responsibility of the trainee. Trainees can call 852-5401 for information. Trainees may also purchase, at group rates, dental insurance in both single and family plans.
Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Trainees may establish accounts to convert tax-free benefit dollars within the limits established by the IRS. Flexible spending accounts provide pre-tax dollars to be used toward medical, dental, vision, pharmacy and daycare expenses. The monies are reimbursed to the trainee for expenses incurred.
Employee Assistance Program
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to residents and fellows at no charge and provides confidential counseling, assessment and referral services. The program deals with the broad range of issues such as emotional/behavioral, family and marital, alcohol and/or drug, financial, legal and other personal problems. These services are provided by the Human Development Company.
Counseling Services
Professional counseling is available to trainees through the Health Sciences Center Campus Health Services. Counseling services are also available through the University of Louisville Employee Assistance Program.
Kentucky state law requires that all PGY-2 and above trainees be licensed to practice medicine in the state of Kentucky. The fee for the initial training license is paid by the Graduate Medical Education Office for the PGY-1's who continue as PGY-2's in UofL programs.
Hepatitis B immunization and an annual TB skin test are required and furnished free of charge to all trainees. The Campus Health Services Office provides minor urgent medical care and immunizations, including boosters and TB testing. Personal counseling is also available.
The Campus Health Services Office also serves as an on-site treatment facility for workers compensation related injuries and exposures including needle sticks and as the repository of trainee immunization records and exposure data. The office is staffed by board certified faculty physicians and faculty nurse practitioners who have extensive primary care and occupational exposure experience.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
All postgraduate physicians are entitled to 28 calendar days of vacation for each twelve-month period.
Medical and Personal Leave
Paid medical leave up to 90 days is available in cases of extended personal illness. Residents are covered under the Graduate Medical Student Leave Policy, which provides up to 12 weeks unpaid leave for personal or family illness.
Personal leave is available at the discretion of the Program Director.
Maternity/Paternity Leave
Trainees are allowed up to 42 days of paid post-partum leave.
Lab coats are provided by departments for residents at the beginning of their training.
Trainees have library privileges at the medical school library (Kornhauser Health Sciences Library) and at all affiliated hospitals. Available services include electronic literature searches and interlibrary loan service. Audiovisual equipment, as well as computers and computer software, are made available to residents through the library.
Through the Kornhauser Library’s website, trainees have access to thousands of electronic journals via Medline and online e-journal collections. Trainees can search the library’s catalog or view a collection of electronic textbooks and reference materials online.
Free membership to the HSC Fitness Center is available to all HSC residents, students, staff and faculty. The Fitness Center is conveniently located in the Chestnut Street Parking Garage and includes weight machines, free weights and 20 pieces of aerobic equipment. Aerobics and yoga classes are also offered. In addition, a swimming pool and recreational facilities on Belknap Campus are also available to residents, through the Intramural and Recreational Sports Office.
Lactation rooms are at various locations on the Health Sciences Campus.
The University of Louisville House Staff are eligible to participate in the 403(b) retirement plan by electing to contribute to the voluntary Employee Supplemental and Roth Additional options. The contributions in the Employee Supplemental and Roth Additional options are not matched by the University.
The Graduate Medical Education office greatly encourages residents to contribute to their community and improve the future of their profession through leadership and advocacy. In that spirit, the Graduate Medical Education Office is providing membership to the Greater Louisville Medical Society (GLMS) and the Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) at no cost to GME contracted residents and fellows.
Parking
Parking permits are provided to trainees by either their program or the GME office at no cost to the resident.
Uber Transportation Program
An Uber based transportation service is provided free of charge to UofL residents/fellows. The purpose of this program is to ensure that all residents & fellows have a safe transportation option if they are too fatigued to return home safely.