Program Goals

Rheumatology Fellowship Program at Jersey City Medical Center

JCMC and NYC skyline

The goal of our Rheumatology Fellowship program is to develop highly skilled, compassionate and innovative rheumatologists who are equipped to provide exceptional patient care, lead in clinical and academic settings and contribute to advancing the field of rheumatology through research and education. Our program fosters a diverse and inclusive environment that encourages lifelong learning, professional growth and a commitment to excellence. This aligns with our sponsoring institution's larger mission by emphasizing the importance of comprehensive clinical training, scholarly activity and the promotion of health and well-being in the communities we serve.

Program Goals

  1. Comprehensive Clinical Training: Fellows will rotate through diverse clinical settings, including community-based rotations in Jersey City, to gain exposure to a wide range of rheumatologic conditions and patient demographics, preparing them to manage complex cases.
  2. Research and Scholarly Activity: Our research-rich primary clinical site offers numerous opportunities for fellows to engage in cutting-edge research. Fellows are encouraged to present findings at national conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
  3. Diverse Patient Population: Jersey City provides a highly diverse patient population, encompassing various ethnicities and social backgrounds. Fellows will develop an understanding of social determinants of health and learn to provide culturally competent care.
  4. Faculty Development and Mentorship: The program offers faculty development opportunities to ensure continuous improvement in teaching and mentoring. Faculty participation is monitored to maintain high educational standards and robust mentorship for fellows.
  5. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Fellows will collaborate with specialists across multiple disciplines, enhancing their ability to manage patients with complex, multi-system diseases through comprehensive training.
  6. Community Engagement and Outreach: The program emphasizes community engagement through health fairs, patient education sessions and collaboration with local organizations, fostering social responsibility and improving health outcomes in underserved populations.

Commitment to Ensure Diversity

Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC) has assembled a workforce that is capable of understanding, communicating and providing service to individuals from the most varied backgrounds. Jersey City is the most diverse city in New Jersey and the second most diverse in the United States. Students in Jersey City Schools speak over seventy-five languages. Jersey City truly represents a melting pot of nations, ethnicity and cultural traditions.

Our Rheumatology Fellowship program emphasizes a holistic and merit-based selection process. We seek candidates who are not only enthusiastic about academic medicine but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to learning through extracurricular involvement, research, publications, presentations and relevant clinical experience. While we recognize the importance of ensuring diversity and inclusivity in our recruitment, we believe in identifying candidates who have shown a clear dedication to advancing their skills and contributing to the academic community.

In contrast to a purely structured interview format, we allow for more personalized conversations to better understand each candidate’s unique potential and passion for the field. Although in-person interviews are offered, we are mindful of financial barriers and provide the option of tele-interviews for candidates who may have constraints, ensuring all qualified candidates have an equitable chance to participate.