Fellows Resources

At the Thurston Arthritis Research Center (TARC), we believe that the fundamental approach toward improved outcomes in clinical Rheumatology stems from advances in scientific research tempered with strong clinical skills and compassion. Therefore, our fellowship opportunities at TARC lean heavily toward basic and clinical research training for M.D.s who wish to pursue academic careers in research and medicine focused on the study and treatment of rheumatologic and autoimmune diseases. TARC Rheumatology Fellows have access to a distinguished faculty with a wide array of research interests and the technology and resources to provide outstanding training in rheumatologic and autoimmune diseases. General opportunities in Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Immunology and other disciplines basic to the studies of Rheumatologic diseases abound and are discussed more specifically in other areas of this brochure. However, though TARC seeks to develop outstanding academicians and scientists, we also maintain the perspective that fundamentally, we are clinicians. By this we mean that our primary goal, be it in research or in the clinic is to improve the quality of life for those who suffer from rheumatologic and autoimmune diseases. We expect our fellows to maintain patient contact through continued training in clinical rheumatology, to attend journal clubs, grand rounds and to develop and maintain a first rate competence in patient communication, medical procedures and advanced diagnostic capabilities.

We consider our fellowships to be contracts in which both Fellows and Faculty have tremendous investment and commitment. For us as faculty, our commitment is to provide our fellows with every possible opportunity to excel in the field of Rheumatology. For prospective fellows, we expect in return that our fellows will diligently and effectively use the resources at their disposal to further advance the understanding of rheumatologic diseases, their etiologies and their treatments.

Dhavalkumar D. Patel, MD, PhD
Director, Thurston Arthritis Research Center
Professor, Departments of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology
Chief, Division of Rheumatology Allergy and Immunology