Rheumatology Fellowship
Our Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program aims to equip every fellow with the skills needed to provide the highest possible quality of clinical care, as well as meeting their own individual career goals.
Learn more by going to the sections below:
For More Information
Message from Our Director
These are truly remarkable times for rheumatologists. When I first started, our major arsenal against arthritis was limited to gold and methotrexate, and we would admit patients to hospital for 20 or more joint injections with steroids under general anesthesia. We shared clinics with physical therapists to manage the deformities caused by diseases we couldn't treat. Scleroderma was considered untreatable, and corticosteroids were our go-to treatment for everything.
So much has changed thanks to laboratory and clinical research, including some conducted at our institution. We now have multiple classes of highly effective anti-rheumatic medications that target specific immune and inflammatory pathways. We are recognizing and effectively treating new conditions, acknowledging somatic mutation as a new mechanism of rheumatic disease, providing effective treatment for scleroderma, and witnessing the initial stages of alternatives to toxic corticosteroids for controlling acute disease.
Despite these advances, there is still much work for the next generation of rheumatologists. We still lack a fundamental understanding of the underlying causes of most diseases we encounter, there are undoubtedly more diseases waiting to be recognized, and we need to learn how to translate all these advances into treatments. While the need for compassionate care remains constant, our ethical responsibilities now include a greater and specific focus on issues of equity, inclusivity, and diversity, both in terms of patient care and our training environment.
To meet these challenges, it is crucial that we continue to train exceptional future rheumatologists. Our goal is to equip every Fellow with the skills necessary to provide the highest quality of clinical care and also help them achieve their individual career aspirations. We emphasize the importance of lifelong learning and quality improvement, and the understanding that the future of rheumatologic care relies on Fellows and graduates supporting research and education.
In recent years, we have significantly expanded the scope of our program to foster the career development of physicians who aspire to excellence as practicing clinicians. To facilitate Fellows achieving their specific career goals, we have developed individual tracks for second-year Fellows, including advanced clinical, education, and quality improvement options. We are also open to Fellows exploring novel interests.
With a rich history of training physician-scientists, we offer two types of research training in Fellowship. All Fellows are eligible to choose the research track for their second year of the standard two-year Fellowship, but we also offer select trainees a three-year Fellowship program focused on research. While the first year remains dedicated to clinical training, the subsequent two years are committed to a clinical, translational, or basic research project mentored by a senior faculty member. The goal is to equip trainees with all the tools needed to become successful independent investigators focused on improving the understanding of, and care for, people living with rheumatic diseases.
Our program boasts a relatively large group, consisting of 64 faculty members, 37 of whom actively see patients in our rheumatology clinics and 17 with major research activities. This extensive team allows us to provide comprehensive patient care and engage in diverse academic activities, including specialized clinical and research programs. All our Fellows benefit from excellent training opportunities, regardless of their career focus.
I enthusiastically welcome your interest in our Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program and invite you to learn more about us.
Rory M. Marks, MB BS
Fellowship Program Director
Contact Us
Division of Rheumatology
300 North Ingalls Building, Room 7C27
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5422
How to Apply
We participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) to fill all our available positions and use the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) to transmit Fellowship applications.
All applications must be submitted through ERAS. Please do not send us applications or supporting information directly. We fully adhere to ERAS cycle deadlines.
We regret we cannot offer interviews to all the candidates that submit applications. A Fellowship committee independently evaluates each application. Based on this initial evaluation, applicants are chosen to be offered interviews. We usually interview 15-20 candidates.
Fellowship Committees
Mandated by the ACGME to advise the Program Director through oversight of all activities of the Program, with review of progress in meeting goals, guiding ongoing program improvement, and review of the operating environment. Members are appointed annually by the Program Director.
Members: Marianne Kerski, MD; Puja Khanna, MD, MPH; Wendy Marder, MD; Rory Marks, MB BS; Erica Mulcaire-Jones, MD; Gary Smith (Division Administrator); Aaron Stubbs, MD; John Varga, MD; Andrew Vreede, MD; and Julie C. Welch, MAOM, MAEL
Mandated by the ACGME to review evaluations and assess the progress of each Fellow. Members are appointed annually by the Program Director.
Members: Nada Abdulaziz, MBBS; Samardeep Gupta, MD; Rory Marks, MB BS; Erica Mulcaire-Jones, MD; Zeinab Saleh, MD; Andrew Vreede, MD; and Julie C. Welch, MAOM, MAEL
Provides oversight of academic activities for second year Fellows. Members are chosen for their expertise with the different tracks available for Fellows and are appointed annually by the Program Director.
Members: Dinesh Khanna, MD, MSc; Jason Knight, MD; PhD; Rory Marks, MB BS; Seetha Monrad, MD; Erica Mulcaire-Jones, MD; John Varga, MD; Beth Wallace, MD, MSc (Chair); and Julie C. Welch, MAOM, MAEL
Includes all faculty members who interview applicants for Fellowship and meets to discuss evaluations and to generate a ranked Match list.
- Members change annually and are appointed by the Program Director to represent a diversity of background and interests to applicants.
- 2026 Members: Lauren He, MD; Puja Khanna, MD, MPH; Jacqueline Madison, MD; Wendy Marder, MD; Rory Marks, MBBS; Ryan Massay, MBBS; Daniel McDougle, MD, PhD; Gary Smith; Aaron Stubbs, MD; John Varga, MD; Julie C. Welch, MAOM, MAEL; and Carleigh Zahn, MD
Advisory to Program Director for involvement of faculty in the Fellowship Program.
Members: Puja Khanna, MD, MPH; Rory Marks, MB BS; Ryan Massay, MB BS; Erica Mulcaire-Jones, MD
Provides oversight for Fellows undergoing dual adult-pediatric rheumatology training. Members include the adult and pediatric rheumatology Program Directors, Associate Program Directors, and administrators.
Members: Denise Alton (pediatric rheumatology administrator); Rory Marks, MB BS (adult PD); Erica Mulcaire-Jones, MD (adult APD); Meredith Riebschleger, MD (pediatric APD); Nadine Saad, MD (pediatric PD); Julie C. Welch, MAOM, MAEL (adult rheumatology administrator); and Sheri Romo (pediatric rheumatology administrator)
Advises the Fellowship Program on advances in medical education that can enhance our training methods.
Members: Ibtissam Gad, MD; Lauren He, MD; Rory Marks, MB BS; Erica Mulcaire-Jones, MD; Andrew Vreede, MD; Carleigh Zahn, DO; and Julie C. Welch, MAOM, MAEL
Division Faculty
More than half of our faculty members have prominent roles in training our Fellows, including didactic teaching, ambulatory clinic and inpatient mentoring/supervision, and research mentoring.
Salary & Benefits
The University of Michigan offers highly competitive salaries and generous benefits to our fellows and advanced trainees. Trainee salary will be commensurate with that of a House Officer at an equivalent level of training based on the HOA contract.
Current Fellows
We are committed to equipping each fellow with the necessary tools they need to excel as experts and leaders, and empowering them to advance patient care, research, and education in rheumatology.
Why Choose Our Fellowship Program
Learn about our strengths, clinical and research opportunities, and what makes our program stand out from the others.
Recent Graduates
See below for recent graduates of the Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program.
2025
- Rocio Bautista Sanchez, MD - Arthritis & Osteoporosis Consultants of the Carolinas, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Anne Carlton, MD, PhD - University of Michigan
- Lauren He, MD - University of Michigan
- Yasmin Khader, MD - University of Toledo
2024
- Basmah Al Dulaijan, MD - King Fahad Specialist Hospital Dammam, Saudia Arabia
- Daniel McDougle, MD - University of Michigan
- Stephanie Tancer, MD - Cleveland Clinic, Beachwood Family Health & Surgery Center, Beachwood, OH
- Maedeh Veyseh, MD - Permanente Medicine Medical Group, Oakland, CA
2023
- Mohammed Alsehli, MB BS - University of Michigan
- Amala Ambati, MD - ProMedica, Sylvania, OH
- Thu Thu Aung, MB BS - Kaiser Permanente, The Permanente Medical Group, San Rafael, CA
- Anne Murphy, MD - University of Michigan
- Conor Murphy, MD - Guthrie, Sayre, PA
2022
- Yaseen Aleatany, MB BS
- Sohail Farshad, DO
- Ahmad Ramahi, MD
- Ajay Tambralli, MD
2021
- Katherine Chakrabarti, MD
- Stephanie Lazar, MD
- Jacqueline Madison, MD
- Meriah Moore, MD
2020
- Hong Shi, MD
- Aaron Stubbs, MD
2019
- Adam Kilian, MD
- Andrew Lewandoski, DO
- Ryan Massay, MB BS
- David Roofeh, MD
2018
- Jessie Alperin, MD
- Danielle Barnes, MD
- Amrita Padda, MD
- Andrew Vreede, MD
2017
- Nada Abdulaziz, MB BS
- Mousa Al Abbas, MB BS
- Emily Littlejohn, DO
- Navya Parsa, MD
2016
- Nayef Kazzaz, MB BS
- Viju Moses, MB BS
- Jasmine Stannard, MD
- Beth Wallace, MD
- Amber Young, MD
2015
- Sarah McCoy, MD
- Eric Wise, MD, PhD
2014
- Ruba Kado, MD
- Emily Myers, MD
- Vivek Nagaraja, MB BS
2013
- Nezam Altorok, MD
- Shailey Desai, MD
- Heather Gladue, DO
2012
- Reem Jan, MB BS
- Jason S. Knight, MD, PhD
- Dipak Patel, MD, PhD
- Shironda Stewart, MD
2011
- J. Michelle Kahlenberg, MD, PhD
- Huma Sohail, MB BS
- Mona Trivedi, MD
- Malini Venkatram, MB BS
2010
- Tania Gonzalez-Rivera, MD
- Hiroshi Kato, MD
2009
- Fazleomar Mahmood, MB BS
- Farhan Tahir, MB BS
- Than Win, MB BS
2008
- Elizabeth Bodkin, DO
- Monika Starosta, MD
- Susan Wallis, MD
2007
- Dhiman Basu, MB BS
- Sheeja Francis, MD
- Monika Mohan, MD
2006
- Patricia Cagnoli, MD
- David Chamberland, MD
- Angela Gupta-Malini, MD
2005
- Dina Dadabhoy, MD
- Kristine Rea, MD
- Amr Sawalha, MD
- Abigail Smukler, MD
- Nina Tahiliani, MB BS
2004
- Vanika Lath, MB BS
- Sujata Sarkar, MD
2003
- Wendy Marder, MD
- Seetha Monrad, MD
2002
- Sosa Kocheril, MD
- Kurt Oelke, MD
2001
- Brent Appleton, MD
- Arturo Diaz, MD
2000
- John Attwood, MD
- Samar Gupta, MB BS
- Tharaknath Rao, MD
Program Leadership
John Varga, MD, FACP, MACR
Professor of Internal Medicine
Professor of Dermatology and Section Head
Division of Rheumatology
Medical School
Rory M Marks MB BS
Program Director
Fellowship
Rheumatology
Medical School
Erica Mulcaire-Jones
Medical School
See Where Training Takes Place
Expand your career trajectory in a high-volume academic medical center that also supports and excels in a wide range of basic science, translational and clinical research programs.
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