Letter from the Program Director
Friends and Future Colleagues,
I am delighted to have this opportunity to introduce you to the UNC Rheumatology Fellowship Program, where we provide a flexible, dynamic, and inclusive training environment that fosters outstanding medical care and professionalism.
It is an exciting time to become a rheumatologist. The Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology at UNC is involved in the evolving care of rheumatology patients. We have many new tools – therapies such as biologics and targeted synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, diagnostic tests, and enhanced imaging modalities – to help us optimize care of patients with rheumatic diseases.
It is also an incredibly important time to become a rheumatologist, as the demand for rheumatology services is expected to exceed the supply of providers by more than 100% in 2030, according to recent analyses by industry experts.
At UNC, we are dedicated to addressing the current and future needs of rheumatic patients by delivering current, state-of-the-art medical care and training for physicians who will be tomorrow’s leading rheumatologists.
In accord with the mission of UNC Healthcare, we aim to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. Our patient population is diverse in race, ethnicity and socioeconomic background and present with a multitude of rheumatic diseases that enriches clinical experience. Moreover, we have support systems in place to make a positive impact for patients in medical crisis.
We provide a comprehensive and dynamic training program so that our fellows graduate with the ability to meet the needs of patients, both now and in the future. Our program cultivates an intellectual and collaborative learning environment, and delivers structured didactics and hands-on experiential learning, to provide a broad base of knowledge in rheumatic diseases.
In addition, our program is flexible by design, to allow each individual trainee to meet their professional goals, whether they choose to pursue a career in clinical rheumatology, research, clinical education, or some combination.
At UNC, we believe in building a supportive, collegial training environment that promotes the personal and professional growth of our fellows. I encourage you to explore the breadth and depth of the educational and clinical experience here at UNC.
It is a true privilege to educate, train, and work with today’s brightest physicians on their path to become independent rheumatologists.
Sincerely,
Rumey Ishizawar, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine