Why I Chose Rheumatology

Physicians like yo choose rheumatology

Physicians like you choose Rheumatology

Through the ACR Research and Education Foundation, the American College of Rheumatology fosters the careers of young investigators.

Testimonials from ACR Research and Education Foundation fellows.

Below are reasons medical students have selected rheumatology as a subspecialty.

Great mentors, interesting diseases, new treatments available, able to make a difference, lifestyle.
Rheumatology puts the basic elements of medicine; history and physical exam; in the forefront of patient care. It really allows clinicians to practice the art of medicine in most dynamic ways. No two patients are the same. With new advances, in biologics, rheumatology is certainly an exciting field to be in.
My scientific interest in immunology combined with an interest in physical therapy, and desire to work in an outpatient setting with long-term patients.

David Borenstein, MD
Former President, American College of Rheumatology
Clinical Professor of Rheumatology, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington DC, and Partner, Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates

I chose rheumatology to make a contribution

I decided to become a rheumatologist the beginning of my fourth year of medical school. I had just completed my cardiology rotation and every patient had chest pain. Cardiologists were most excited by the unusual patient with rheumatic fever or systemic lupus erythematosus. I realized that the interesting patients for the other internal medicine subspecialties were those with rheumatic diseases. My rheumatology professors were great teachers, but they were honest. They were willing to admit that a host of questions remained to be answered. I was intrigued by a subspecialty that did not have all the answers, where a young investigator could make a contribution. While a number of major advances have been made in rheumatology over the last five years, a number of questions remain unanswered. Thus, the possibilities for a young physician to make a major advance in the field are as great now as they were then.

David Wofsy, MD
Former President, American College of Rheumatology
Rheumatologist, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco

I chose rheumatology to help care for people with chronic illness

For me, the unexpected surprise of a career in rheumatology has been the enjoyment of caring for people with chronic illness. Frankly, I had expected not to enjoy treating chronic illness as much as treating acute illness. However, the satisfaction of helping people control serious health problems over a long period of time and the reward of developing genuine long-term friendships with patients in the process, has been an unanticipated bonus. In the final analysis, this may be the best part of a career in rheumatology.

Christy Sandborg, MD
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Stanford Medical Center, Palo Alto, California

I chose rheumatology because I enjoy the challenge of diagnostic dilemmas

I chose pediatric rheumatology as my life career choice. I was, and still am, attracted to the pathophysiology and abundance of clinical findings. I enjoy the challenge of diagnostic dilemmas and trying to understand the pathophysiology of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. I like that there are so many therapeutic things I can do to make these children and teenagers feel better and function to the best of their ability. I especially enjoy taking care of children and adolescents with chronic disease, working with them and their families over many years. I find teaching young pediatricians and budding pediatric rheumatologists about pediatric rheumatology very rewarding, and I love taking what I learn in the clinic and applying it to research and laboratory studies and vice-versa—bedside to bench and bench to bedside.