Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program
The Goal of the University of Minnesota Medical Center Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program of today is to produce highly competent clinical rheumatologists who, aligned with trainee career goals and with the needs of the community, become scholarly academic educators, productive physician scientists, and/or compassionate community providers.
The University of Minnesota (UMN) Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program is a 2-year clinical training program. For individuals whose goal is to become an academic rheumatologist, opportunities for additional years of research training exist in disciplines such as public health and health administration, and basic science/immunology.
The program has graduated thirty-nine Fellows, eleven of whom have pursued academic careers. Since our first accreditation in 1987, our ABIM exam pass rate has been 100%. The program was fully accredited in 2005 and again in 2011, both times with no citations. Additionally, the program accepts J-1 visas.
Training Sites
Hennepin Healthcare is a comprehensive academic medical center and public hospital located in the heart of Minneapolis. Unique to Hennepin Healthcare are monthly joint Radiology and Rheumatology trainee Imaging seminars, the metabolic bone disorder clinic, and a prevalence of patients with SLE in immigrant Asian populations and the younger minorities with severe nephritis. The patient case-mix also favors rheumatic complications of hemodialysis and renal transplantation, complications of HIV infection, complications of hepatitis C, crystal-induced arthritis. Inpatient consultation services provide Fellows with experience evaluating and caring for a highly diverse multi-ethnic population with complex multi-system illness and social service issues.
University of Minnesota Medical Center (UMMC) is a tertiary care referral hospital and hospital based clinic for the Fairview Health System for the Upper Midwest. As such, the patient population it serves is diverse; disease states include common (psoriasis, temporal arteritis) and less common (multiple sclerosis, CNS vasculitis) ones and patients with a range of no to multi-organ (eg. transplant) co-morbidities.
Clinics include general rheumatology and diagnosis-specific clinics, such as:
- Joint-based rheumatology alongside orthopedics: crystal arthropathy, spondyloarthropathy, regional joint pain, degenerative arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and evaluation of positive ANA
- Scleroderma
- Vasculitis
- Early Inflammatory Arthritis
- Rheumatology-Dermatology
Clinics in Pediatric Rheumatology and Orthopedics and instruction in Bone Densitometry interpretation are available. Patient mix in Orthopedic clinics includes individuals with sports and athletic-related problems, fractures, and non-sports related trauma and evaluation of patients for arthroplasty and bone tumors.
Minneapolis VA Healthcare System
The Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS) is a modern facility serving a large veteran regional referral population. As such, Fellows develop familiarity with the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and prevention, and treatment of rheumatic diseases frequently encountered in the VA patient population, especially systemic vasculitis, surgical and medical complications of rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthropathies, crystalline disorders. A clinic designated for joint aspirations and use of the musculoskeletal ultrasound is a highlight of the VA block rotation.
Regions Hospital and Health Partners Specialty Clinic is one of the top 55 urban hospitals nationwide and the only urban hospital in Minnesota to be named a Leapfrog Top Hospital in Minnesota. A Level 1 Trauma Center, it serves patients referred from the Midwest and the rest of the United States. The Inpatient Rheumatology Teaching Service is highly sought after for the opportunity to learn while caring for a high volume of patients with lupus, the vasculitides and complex multisystem illnesses. There are ten experienced teaching faculty. The health care system has been recognized nationally for its emphasis and leadership in quality improvement. The Health Partners Institute for Education and Research supports trainees in their research endeavors.
Rotations
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Clinic based learning is complemented by inpatient consultation/team leadership/educator experience; these experiences stimulate system quality improvement and study. To comply with ACGME duty hour rulings, Fellows take call with Faculty every fourth weekend
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Breadth of learning is complemented by focused learning: weekly required Fellow continuity clinics, general rheumatology clinics, and condition-specific clinics (scleroderma, lupus, joint aspiration, bone metabolism, vasculitis, early inflammatory arthritis, rheumatology-dermatology) comprise the clinic "menu".
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Care of the general rheumatology patient population is complemented by exposure to our diverse clientele (Hmong, Somali, Russian, Veterans)
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Experiential learning is complemented by self study and learning at didactics/conferences
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Clinical training is complemented by research experience. Over the two year training period, Fellows conduct mentored research of their choosing over a total of four months. Abstract presentation at the Annual University of Minnesota Department of Medicine Research Conference and the Annual American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Scientific Meetings are expected deliverables. During this protected research period, Fellows continue to participate in weekly continuity clinics, conference/didactic seminars, and weekend call.
Regardless of the setting or learning activity, integration of basic science, immunology, and pathophysiology into clinical rheumatology, pharmacology, pathology, and radiology is promoted in addition to the promotion of development in all six ACGME core competencies.
Travis Fulk, MD, 1st Year Rheumatology Fellow
Hi! I’m Travis — I’m originally from a small town in southern Illinois, where I grew up surrounded by cornfields. I earned my MD from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, then made my way up to Minneapolis, where I completed a research year at UMN followed by my Internal Medicine residency at Hennepin Healthcare in 2025.
During my research year (and beyond), I focused on topics in dermatorheumatology and healthcare access. Since then, I’ve developed a strong interest in the skin manifestations of autoimmune disease and in finding ways to make healthcare more equitable for everyone.
When I’m not at work, I love getting outside with my partner and friends — whether it’s playing pickleball, eagle watching, grabbing dinner on a patio, or hammocking near one of Minnesota’s many lakes. When I’m home, I enjoy taking care of my ever-growing collection of indoor plants.
I’m genuinely excited to get started and to connect with new colleagues, mentors, and friends along the way!
Sakshi Mishra, MD, 1st Year Rheumatology Fellow
"I grew up in India in the city of the Taj Mahal, where I completed my medical education before moving to the United States. Since then, I have discovered my passion for Rheumatology and am excited to have found my niche in this dynamic field. I am particularly eager to deepen my understanding of emerging therapies, including biologics and other targeted treatments that are transforming patient care. I'm also enthusiastic about the growing role of musculoskeletal ultrasound in Rheumatology and look forward to exploring its many clinical applications. Outside of medicine, I cherish spending quality time with my husband and son. We enjoy all kinds of water activities, especially kayaking, and are excited to explore the beautiful lakes of Minnesota together."
Tiago Reyes-Castro, 2nd Year Rheumatology Fellow
I am passionate about Rheumatology, particularly in understanding autoimmune processes and improving patient care through innovative treatments. Growing up in a small town in Peru and practicing medicine in the Ecuadorian Amazon exposed me to the severe impacts of untreated rheumatologic diseases. My career interests include clinical research, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and enhancing healthcare delivery to underserved communities. I am excited by new therapies and personalized medicine in Rheumatology to improve patient outcomes.
In my free time, I enjoy hiking, running, traveling, and cooking. I look forward to exploring Minnesota's natural beauty and local culture with my wife and cat. Joining the UMN Rheumatology Fellowship offers a great opportunity for both professional growth and personal adventures, and I am eager to be part of this community.
Fizza Zulfiqar, 1st Year Rheumatology Fellow
Hello, I’m Fizza Zulfiqar, I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan. After medical school, I pursued my internal medicine residency at Trinity Health Oakland Hospital in Michigan. During my second year, a single patient encounter profoundly shaped my career path and helped me choose the field of Rheumatology where I found my passion and desire to serve patients with complex diseases. Following my interest, I joined the Rheumatology Division at Wayne State University, where I worked on research project related to insulin resistance and autoimmune diseases. I am drawn to Rheumatology for its diagnostic complexity, evolving treatments like CART therapy, and specifically the long-term relationships it builds with patients. I feel thrilled to start my rheumatology fellowship at the University of Minnesota. I look forward to continuing my clinical and academic growth and learning from incredible mentors. Outside work, I love traveling, shopping, and exploring different cuisines with my family and friends.
William "BJ" Valente, MD, PhD, 4th year Rheumatology Fellow
Dr. BJ Valente attended Medical School and completed his PhD work at the University of Washington, Seattle, WA. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency Training at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Valente is a member of the Physician Scientist Training Pathway (PSTP) Program at the UMN.
In July 2023, BJ transitioned into his PSTP research position with Stephen Jameson's group in the Center for Immunology! He studies regulation of T cell metabolism and homeostasis by so-called "danger signals" released during tissue injury and infection. He hopes to identify how these signals regulate T cell responses and survival in the context of protective immunity and autoimmunity.
"After nearly a decade away from Minnesota pursuing my MD & PhD through the University of Washington, I’m excited to be in the Twin Cities for my clinical training through the University of Minnesota Rheumatology Fellowship! I am passionate about understanding the intricacies of the immune system in rheumatologic diseases and aspire to familiarize myself and my patients with the options to best control their conditions. During my fellowship, in concert with my co-fellows and Rheumatology faculty I hope to explore further the fast-developing field of clinical Rheumatology."
Administrative Office
Fellowship Coordinator
Kelly Grahek
[email protected]
Feedback & Evaluation Methods
Fellows receive feedback often and in multiple ways. (Example Below)
- An entry multiple choice test of knowledge and application.
- Quarterly electronic competency based E-value®s.
- 360 reviews completed by clinic staff and patients.
- Yearly NBME/ ACR arranged ITE scores and national percentile rankings.
Semi-annually, annually and upon completion of the Program, the Program Director personally delivers summative evaluations to the Fellows. Every three months, Fellows complete confidential evaluations of Faculty and annually evaluate Program elements and the Curriculum. Fellow contribution to Program improvement takes place in the forms of attendance at the Continuity Clinic specific operations meetings, and membership with Faculty on the Education Oversight Committee and the Program Director Feedback Club.
This program fosters a culture of excellence and professionalism, a climate of continuous discovery and curiosity, and promotes cultural sensitivity and respect for all persons.