Fellow Education
The Division of Pediatric Rheumatology has one of only 30 ACGME accredited fellowship training programs in pediatric rheumatology in the United States.
Our fellows develop competence in the diagnosis and management of rheumatic and other connective tissue diseases in children and gain a background in laboratory techniques of basic immunology and molecular biology, as well as experience and education in application of the scientific method to clinical and laboratory research.
The clinical material available at Children’s Medical Center Dallas (CMC) and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) is extensive. The Arthritis Clinic at TSRHC is one of the longest established pediatric rheumatology clinics in the country and is the major regional referral center for North Texas. Between the two hospitals, the division faculty see more than 4,500 outpatient visits per year in eight clinics per week. We see more than 400 inpatient admissions per year, and inpatient rounds are conducted daily. We see more than 900 new patients per year. Trainees have the opportunity to see and manage multiple patients of each major connective tissue disease, as well as exposure to the rarer disorders.
As required by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP), all trainees spend a portion of their time involved in research. The Division collaborates with Baylor Institute of Research to provide the facilities and latest equipment to conduct basic immunology research. Activities in the lab include journal club, work in progress, and seminars with invited speakers. Research projects are tailored to the interests and capabilities of the individual trainees. Ongoing clinical trials, and the opportunity to do clinical research, are also available.
A postgraduate education program in clinical research, provided through UT Southwestern, is an option for those fellows preparing for a career in clinical research.
The three-year program aims to provide individuals with sufficient background to pursue a career of independent research, teaching and managing patients with a wide variety of pediatric rheumatic diseases.
Marilynn G. Punaro, MD, is the program director for the pediatric rheumatology fellowship training program, and serves as a faculty member in the internal medicine rheumatology fellowship training program. All other pediatric rheumatology faculty are actively involved in training our pediatric rheumatology fellows.
Prerequisites include one (1) year of internship and two (2) years of pediatric residency. Applicants must:
1. Be citizens of the United States or Canada, or
2. Hold a permanent resident visa, or
3. Have passed the USMLE examination and be eligible for an ECFMG-sponsored visa
Foreign medical graduates will be required to provide original documentation of education and licensure upon acceptance into the program.