Lehigh Valley Health Network’s (LVHN) Rheumatology Fellowship Program provides innovative, fellow-centered training. We received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in April 2016 and our inaugural class began in July 2017. The two-year Clinical Rheumatology Fellowship provides an outstanding opportunity for clinical and academic training.
Program highlights include:
The largest and most advanced provider of health care in the region – LVHN spans several campuses including those in Allentown, Bethlehem, Hazleton, Pottsville and East Stroudsburg. LVHN provides state-of-the-art rheumatology ambulatory and inpatient care. LVHN functions as a major referral center for communities within a 50-mile radius.
Educational commitment – LVHN has a continual commitment to education including sponsoring many residencies and fellowships. Rheumatology education has been a key component of the division of rheumatology’s activities for two decades including a variety of experiences for medical students and medical residents.
Clinical activity – The LVHN rheumatology fellowship offers ambulatory and inpatient educational experiences at different Lehigh Valley campuses.
Our outpatient continuity clinic experience allows trainees to hone their communication skills and exposes them to individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, both socioeconomic and cultural. Twice a week, trainees attend at least one half-day session of rheumatology fellow outpatient clinic, plus they have daily patient experiences in the private rheumatology unit. In addition to role modeling by teaching faculty during routine clinical experiences and point-in-time feedback, interpersonal, leadership and communication skills are taught. Opportunity for certification in musculoskeletal ultrasound is offered.
First- and second-year fellows will rotate time on the afternoon inpatient service consultation and rounds.
Research and didactic experiences – The fellows will participate actively in the regularly scheduled conferences and seminars, during which time they will be able to hone their presentation skills and gain experience analyzing data and presenting to their peers and supervisors. The published American College of Rheumatology core curriculum will be emphasized. During weekly rheumatology conferences, fellows will present patient cases to the division of rheumatology and lead the discussion regarding management. During monthly Rheumatology Journal Club, fellows will review literature regarding a particular rheumatology topic and broaden the knowledge base of other fellows, residents and students on service. Scholarly activities will include development of and performing rheumatology research, quality improvement projects and case report submissions.
National recognition – The program director and division chief, James Ross, MD, has received the Clinical Scholar Educator Award from the American College of Rheumatology and is well recognized in the rheumatology community for his educational experience.
Devoted, energetic and skilled faculty – Our rheumatology division is comprised of six board-certified rheumatologists with diverse interests and experiences, as well as an unwavering commitment to education.