Rheumatology Fellowship Overview

Olive View-UCLA Medical Center is a safety net hospital serving a patient population of incredible variety in culture, language, economic background, and medical problems. Patients encompass the full spectrum of connective tissue diseases, from infectious arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, sero-negative spondyloarthropathies, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic vasculitis to osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, pseudogout, and localized musculoskeletal pain conditions. We take care of an underserved population of over 2 million people in northern LA County that due to lack of regular medical access often present in late stages of undiagnosed disease. We attract and recruit fellows who are dedicated to serving this population and enjoy the challenge of discovering the initial diagnosis and implementing the treatment plan.

The program includes 3 weekly adult ambulatory arthritis clinics, a biweekly pediatric rheumatology clinic, and a weekly musculoskeletal injection procedure clinic.  We have approximately 5,000 patient visits yearly and an inpatient service with approximately 400 rheumatology consult admissions annually. The inpatient and outpatient services at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center are outstanding resources for clinical training and research. Trainees will develop clinical expertise in performing rheumatological procedures, including aspirating and injecting joints, soft tissue injections, and musculoskeletal ultrasound. All training is closely supervised by dedicated faculty in a congenial environment.

Clinical research experience at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center can involve health services and outcomes studies, arthritis empowerment programs, scleroderma research and clinical trials. Additional clinical and/or basic science research laboratory collaborative opportunities are available through the Division of Rheumatology at Ronald Reagan-UCLA Medical Center.

The Rheumatology Fellowship Program is a dynamic clinical and research program with over a 30-year history of training outstanding board-certified rheumatologists. This program has 3 full-time faculty, 1 part-time clinical faculty, and a large network of volunteer attending rheumatologists. Clinical rotations also include training in orthopedics, physical therapy, and pediatric rheumatology. The strong didactic teaching program includes clinical and basic science core curriculum seminars, clinical journal clubs, radiology conferences, MSK US conferences, pathology conferences, and an emphasis on bedside teaching.