Message from the Chief

The Division of Rheumatology at UCI School of Medicine is committed to training the next generation of outstanding clinicians and conducting innovative clinical trials to enhance the care of patients with musculoskeletal conditions and rheumatic diseases while providing patients with cutting-edge collaborative care at clinics specializing in lupus, myositis, vasculitis and dermatology-rheumatology.

Our faculty members have special expertise in the diagnosis and management of arthritis — rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis, osteoarthritis and crystalline arthritis — and complex connective tissue diseases, including systemic lupus, scleroderma, myositis and systemic vasculitis.

The Division of Rheumatology has a competitive ACGME-accredited program that includes clinical training in rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders at UCI Medical Center — Orange County’s only university hospital — the VA Long Beach Healthcare System and Children’s Health of Orange County (CHOC). These settings offer our fellows, residents and medical students valuable exposure to a wide variety of patients and clinical conditions.

Our rheumatology fellows are exposed to research and clinical trials in rheumatic diseases and have the opportunity to personally participate in a variety of research activities. Our training program provides an extensive didactic program of core lectures, seminars and Journal Clubs in clinical rheumatology, clinical immunology, musculoskeletal imaging and patient-centered rheumatology Grand Rounds. We have an instructional program in diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound and a three-part curriculum to teach trainees and medical students the essential skills of musculoskeletal examination. Our faculty consists of clinician educators who invest time in one-on-one mentoring of our fellows in clinical skills-development in weekly clinics and inpatient consultation services.

Our faculty members are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality care while we strive to inspire students and residents to discover the challenge and excitement of caring for patients with rheumatic diseases. We hope we can galvanize in them both a passion and commitment for careers in rheumatology, which will result in the future advancement of research and clinical care for the benefit of all the patients we serve.

Sheetal Desai, MD
Chief, Division of Rheumatology