Program Overview

The rheumatology fellowship training program, at the university of south Florida, is a two-year program designed to train rheumatologists prepared to pursue either future clinical or academic practice positions. The clinical learning environment promotes physician wellness and patient care that is of the highest quality. We utilize 4 ambulatory sites: USF’s Morsani and South Tampa centers, the James a. Haley VA hospital, and health park clinic; and 2 inpatient sites: Tampa general hospital and James a. Haley VA hospital. These sites each provide a unique and complementary experience, offering the opportunity to learn to diagnose and manage the vast spectrum of rheumatologic diseases in varied clinical and socioeconomic settings. The weekly didactic conferences balance core lectures, case-based discussions, grand rounds, journal clubs, research conferences, and board review. The curriculum content and didactics are managed by the course director and coordinator through a web-based educational platform. Our program also provides opportunities for the trainees to become proficient in musculoskeletal ultrasonography and clinical densitometry. Our faculty conduct bimonthly workshops in MSK ultrasound and the program supports participation with the USSONAR course. The USF continuity clinic and VA clinical sites have ultrasound machines available providing ample access for clinical use. The division provides opportunities for trainees to engage in quality improvement as well as clinical and translational research. Graduates of our program have a 100% board pass rate, are readily employed, and consistently rate their readiness for practice highly.

Mission Statement

We provide a supportive and safe learning environment with opportunities to engage in high quality scholarly investigation, education, and patient centered care.

Our Vision

We will continually advance our training program to best meet the needs of our patients, trainees, and faculty in the ever changing field of rheumatology.

Our Values

We align our values with the ACGME and ACR:

• Excellence in patient care
• Innovation in research and education
• Honesty and Integrity
• Accountability and Transparency
• Fairness and Equity
• Stewardship and Service
• Leadership and Collaboration
• Wellness

Our Program Aims

1. Graduate trainees with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to provide the highest quality of care for their patients and to maintain their professional satisfaction
2. Develop a clinical learning environment that monitors and supports the well-being of fellows, faculty, residents, and other members of the health care team
3. Promote Participation in QI and Patient Safety activities to achieve safe and high quality patient care
4. Develop a culture that promotes the participation in and dissemination of scholarly activity
5. Promote a learning environment that identifies and addresses health care disparities

Faculty

Program Director & Professor of Medicine: Joanne Valeriano-Marcet, M.D.

Associate Program Director & Associate Professor of Medicine: Yih Chang Lin, M.D.

USF Division Chief & Professor of Medicine: John D. Carter, M.D.

VA Division Chief & Associate Professor of Medicine: Marcos Maldonado, M.D.

Associate Professor of Medicine: Helen Bateman, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Medicine: Gabriela Montes-Rivera, M.D.

Associate Professor of Medicine: Raquel Cuchacovich, M.D.

For more information on our faculty, please visit our Faculty page.