Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease (SARD) Fellowship

Fellowship Title:

Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease (SARD) Fellowship

Division:

Rheumatology

Fellowship Type:

Clinical and Research

Supervisor:

Dr. Sindhu Johnson, Dr. Joan Wither, Dr. Zahi Touma

Duration:

1-2 years

Application Open and Close Date:

Ongoing intake

Anticipated Start Date(s):

January, July every year

Number of position(s) per year:

1-2 depending on funding

Description:

The aim of this fellowship is to gain advanced training in the Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases. The core rotations of Scleroderma Clinic, Lupus Clinic and Pre-Clinical Autoimmunity Clinic will occur longitudinally over 1 year. These are longitudinal observational clinics where fellows will gain clinical expertise and be exposed to observational research and clinical trials of advanced therapeutics. Fellows will have the opportunity to undertake one or more scholarly projects that may fall within the spectrum of basic science, translational studies, and observational studies. Elective rotations in Antiphospholipid Antibody Clinic, Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinic, Vasculitis Clinic and Morphea Clinic may be considered.

Post-Graduate fellows having completed rheumatology training who wish to get additional specialized training in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases participate in these clinics for a minimum 12 months with the objective to gain expertise in the assessment, investigation, management and treatment of patients with these complex autoimmune disorders and gain an understanding of current research in this area and develop expertise in research methodology.  This can include participation in advanced degree courses.   
The fellow will devote 100% of his/her professional time to fellowship-related activities including:

• Attending specialized out-patient Scleroderma, Lupus and Pre-Clinical Autoimmunity Clinics supervised by the fellowship mentors where they will be responsible for the assessment, management and follow-up of SARD patients.
• Participation in journal clubs, inter-disciplinary rounds, and inter-hospital teaching rounds of the University of Toronto Rheumatology training program and teaching rounds.  They will be responsible for teaching medical students participating in the Clinics. 
• The fellow will be expected to participate and contribute to research studies (including cohort studies, registries and clinical trials).
• The fellow will propose and carry out new clinical research project(s), i.e., performing literature review, developing study protocol, collecting data and analyzing and interpreting results.  The fellow will present finding of research at appropriate meetings and prepare drafts of manuscripts suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals

Contact Name:

Dr. Sindhu Johnson

Role:

Supervisor

Telephone:

416-603-6417

E-mail:

Sindhu.johnson@uhn.ca