The goal of our training program in rheumatology is to develop excellent specialists in clinical rheumatology. This is accomplished with an emphasis on the care of patients with a wide variety of rheumatologic disorders in the outpatient setting, as well as supervised consultation in three major teaching hospitals and clinical research projects in conjunction with our faculty. The fellowship is a two-year ABIM-accredited program with three fellows-in- training (two in one year, one in the other). We co-operate very closely with the Brown University Rheumatology Fellowship which has two fellows (one first-year and one second-year). The two fellowships share faculty and conferences, and the fellows in each program follow integrated and equal rotation schedules.

The outpatient and inpatient consultation experiences are supplemented by a variety of academic conferences. There is a weekly case conference in which fellows are expected to present cases seen in their clinics or consultation experiences. These presentations often include discussion of background reading and other resource material. The cases are reviewed by the attendings, at least three of whom participate in the Tuesday morning conferences. Additional conferences include a didactic series encompassing the basic rheumatology curriculum, a monthly journal club in which fellows and attendings present journal club articles, and our formal rheumatology grand rounds series in which invited speakers present cutting edge research in clinical topics for the benefit of the fellows, attendings, and community rheumatologists. We offer extensive training in musculoskeletal ultrasound and fellows attend several joint dermatology-rheumatology clinics each month.

The fellows' educational experience is augmented with several significant opportunities for learning outside of Rhode Island. They are encouraged to attend the national American College of Rheumatology (ACR) meetings annually and the Harvard Rheumatology Review Course in Boston early in the second year. In addition, arrangements are often made for fellows to travel to special lectures at other New England medical centers.

The rheumatology fellowship is designed to balance reading, research and learning with patient care. Fellows are usually assigned to be in clinic one-half of each day, leaving one-half of each day available for academic activity and consults. The consult load is usually between one and eight per week depending on the hospital rotation. 

The schedule also contains blocks of protected time for research and for elective experience outside the rheumatology division. Fellows are on call every fifth weekend, during which they may be asked to see an average of two or three consults and answer several phone calls. Weekday night call is taken by the fellow assigned to the Roger Williams and Rhode Island Hospital rotations; calls are infrequent.

The consults which we are asked to see outside the usual working hours often provide the best opportunities for experience with the performance of diagnostic arthrocentesis and present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges which contribute greatly to the fellows' edAttending coverage is scheduled on an every seventh weekend rotation, ensuring that fellows have the opportunity to learn from each faculty member. We promote teamwork and provide a collegial atmosphere, which we believe enhances productivity and makes the fellowship an enjoyable educational experience.

The outpatient experience is based primarily at University Medical Group which is the academic practice setting for faculty at Roger Williams Medical Center. A variety of patients are seen by the fellows and supervised by the three faculty members based at Roger Williams. Roger Williams Medical Center is a community teaching hospital located in one of Providence's oldest neighborhoods. Other Boston University residencies and fellowships at Roger Williams include internal medicine, podiatry, dermatology, pulmonary medicine, and hematology/oncology. The 220 license bed hospital includes an ICU, a step-down unit and a bone marrow transplant unit. Fellows see inpatient consults that range from acute gouty arthritis to systemic vasculitis and SLE. The core of the rotation is at the rheumatology outpatient practice on the campus of Roger Williams Medical Center, in which fellows see patients under the supervision of Drs. Gilek. This experience provides a broad exposure to common and complex rheumatologic issues with patient continuity and extensive clinical teaching.

 

Providence VA Medical Center

The rotation at the Providence VA Medical Center offers access to a special population in which diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis, gout, and reactive arthritis are prevalent. The Providence VA Medical Center is a 100 bed teaching hospital staffed by medical and surgical residents from Brown University affiliated hospitals. Fellows see patients weekly in their own continuity clinic. Easy access to PAC radiology imaging is available in our clinic area to enhance the learning of interpretation of bone and joint radiographs. Fellows will manage a broad range of rheumatologic conditions in this unique patient population. The computerized patient record system at the VA provides enhanced opportunities for data collection and research.

 

Rhode Island Hospital

Fellows see patients at Rhode Island Hospital in the academic practice and in rheumatology clinic. Rhode Island Hospital is a 719 bed tertiary care center in Providence and is a major teaching hospital for Brown Medical School. The inpatient consult service, supervised by Drs. Schwartz, Reginato, and Cunha, provides extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of patients with complex rheumatic disorders. This site offers specialized training in musculoskeletal ultrasound under the supervision of Anthony Reginato MD, PhD, who is nationally known for his work in the field. Outpatient sessions include weekly Rheumatology Continuity Clinic located in the Chapman Street Ambulatory Care Center under the supervision of Brown University Rheumatology faculty. Fellows may also do elective work in the pediatric rheumatology clinic affiliated with Hasbro Children's Hospital which is located on the Rhode Island Hospital Campus. Fellows also have an opportunity to rotate through the new Rhode Island Hospital site in East Providence.

The rheumatology fellowship is designed to balance reading, research and learning with patient care. Fellows are usually assigned to be in clinic one-half of each day, leaving one-half of each day available for academic activity and consults. The consult load is usually between one and eight per week depending on the hospital rotation.

The schedule also contains blocks of protected time for research and for elective experience outside the rheumatology division. Fellows are on call every fifth weekend, during which they may be asked to see an average of one or two consults and answer several phone calls. Weekday night call is taken by the fellow assigned to the Roger Williams and Rhode Island Hospital rotations; calls are infrequent.

The consults which we are asked to see outside the usual working hours often provide the best opportunities for experience with the performance of diagnostic arthrocentesis and present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges which contribute greatly to the fellows' educational experience. Attending coverage is scheduled on an every seventh weekend rotation, ensuring that fellows have the opportunity to learn from each faculty member. We promote teamwork and provide a collegial atmosphere, which we believe enhances productivity and makes the fellowship an enjoyable educational experience.

The rheumatology faculty and fellows are involved in various ongoing clinical research projects. It is expected that fellows will participate in at least one supervised project during their training which may be a clinical or laboratory based project. It is expected that the results will be presented at a local or national meeting and prepared for publication. Current areas of active investigation in the division include scleroderma, dermatomyositis, diagnostic ultrasound, psoriatic arthritis, and gout.

Samples of Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals

Pineda C, Reginato AM, Flores V et al. Pan-American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR) recommendations and guidelines for musculoskeletal ultrasound training in the Americas for rheumatologists. J Clin Rheumtol 2010;16:113-8

Robert I, Arnold E, Arnold W, Craig-Muller J, Kaeley G, Alindon M, MD, Nazarian L, Reginato AM. Ultrasound in American Rheumatology Practice. American College of Rheumatology Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Task Force. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2010;62:1206-19.

Poon SP, Baliog CR, Jr, Sams RN, Robinson-Bostom L, Telang GH, Reginato AM. Syndrome of Cocaine-Levamisole Induced Cutaneous Vasculitis and Immune Mediated Leukopenia. Semin Arthritis  Rheum. 2011;41:434-44.

Shah D, Flanigan T, Lally E.  Routine screening for HIV in a rheumatology practice.   Journal of Clinical Rheumatology 2011; 17: 154-156.

Rho YJ, Zhy Y, Zhang Y, Reginato AM, Choi HK.  Risk Factors for Psuedogout in the General Population. Rheumatology (Oxford), 2012 Nov;51(11);2070-4, dol: 10. 1093/rheumatology.  PMID:22886340.

Reginato AM, Mount DB, Yang I, Choi HK. Update in Genetics and Pathogenesis of Gout. Nature Rheumatology Reviews. 2012.

Najem C, Sfeir M, Estrada E, Mbuyi N, Valicenti D, Reginato AM.  An Unusual Case of Hematuria.  Arthritis Care & Research, July 2014;66:(7),1119-1126. PMID:24578326.

Ramirez DM, Ramirez MR, Reginato AM, Medici D.  Molecular and cellular mechanisms of heterotopic ossification.   Histol Histopathol. 2014 Oct;29(10):1281-5. Epub 2014 May 5.PMID:24796520.

Ruta S, Reginato AM, Pineda C, Gutierrez M; General applications of ultrasound in rheumatology: why we need it in our daily practice.  Pan-American League Against Rheumatisms (PANLAR) Ultrasound Study Group.  J Clin Rheumatol. 2015 Apr;21(3):133-43. PMID:25807093.

Zhou Y, Mohan A, Moore DC, Lin L, Zhou FL, Cao J, Wu Q, Qin YX, Reginato AM, Ehrlich MG, Yang W.  SHP2 regulates osteoclastogenesis by promoting preosteoclast fusion. FASEB J. 2015 Jan 15. PMID: 25593124.

Book Chapters

Matson E, Reginato AM. Crystalline Disorders Associated with Renal Disease Including Oxalate Arthropathy. In Terkeltaub: Gout & Crystal-Induced Arthropathies. Elsevier, Saunders. 2012. P.282-292.

Antolini CR, Castelino F, Reginato AM.  Acute monoarticular arthritis. In: Singh AJ, Loscalzo J, editors. The Harvard Intensive Review of Internal Medicine, 1st edition. 2012.

Mendez D, Reginato AM. Pseudogout. First Consult Cleveland Clinic Clinical Medicine. Ed. Mandel B. Elsevier. 2012.

Zimmermann B.  Anklylosing Spondylitis.  In: Ferri, F.  Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2014.  Philadelphia: Mosley/Elsevier. p90.

Zimmermann B.  Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.  In Ferri, F. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2014.  Philadelphia:  Mosley/Elsevier. p285.

Zimmermann B.  Gout.  In:Ferri, F. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2014.  Philadelphia: Mosley/Elsevier p465.

Zimmermann B.  Hyperuricemia.  In Ferri, F. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2014.  Philadelphia: Mosley/Elsevier. p589.

Stanishewski M. Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease.  Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2015:5 books in 1.  Elsevier Mosby. Feb. 2014.

Lally E, Burnett A,  Bivalacqua T.   Erectile Dysfnction in Scleroderma.  In: Scleroderma from Pathogenesis to Comprehensive Management.  Ed. J Varga, CP Denton, FM Wigley, New ork. Springer 2012, 295-398.

Lally E: A 38 year-old man with systemic sclerosis and erectile dysfunction.  In: Case Studies in Systemic Sclerosis.  Ed. R. Siler, CP Denton. New Yor, Sprnger 2011, 217-220.

Other Publications

Gilek-Seibert K.  HER=End of Humane Reasoning, Adventures of Junior Faculty Member - Speak out Rheum.”  The Rheumatologist, April 2015.

Gilek-Seibert K. Work, life concerns to consider before finishing the fellowship.”  The Rheumatologist, November, 2014.

Gilek-Seibert K.  In Us We Trust – Benefits, Challenges of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Rheumatology, The Rheumatologist, May 2014.

Gilek-Seibert K.  2013 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting: On Stage at ACR Knowledge Bowl    2013.”  The Rheumatologist, February 2014.

Abstracts Presented

Matson, E, Lally E, Zimmermann B, Schwartz S, Hall HA. Eosinophilic fasciitis: Four examples of a rare disease. Brown Medical School Research Forum. Providence, RI. June 2010.

Pineda C, Reginato AM, et al. PANLAR Recommendations and Guidelines for Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Training in the Americas for Rheumatologists. (The 73th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, Arthritis & Rheum Arthritis Rheum. 60:S510, Phila, PA, 2009).

Baliog C, Reginato AM. Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Evaluation of Hemarthrosis in a Patient with System Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) with Acquired Hemophilia A/Acquired Factor VIII Inhibitors. Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium. 2011. Maui, Hawaii.

Baliog CR, Poon SP, Sams RN, Robinson-Bostom L, Telang GH, Reginato AM. Syndrome  of Cocaine-Levamisole Induced Cutaneous Vasculitis and Immune Mediated Leukopenia. The 17th Annual Research Forum. Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown. 2011. Providence, RI.

Reginato AM, Iglesia A, Neira A, Reginato AJ, Olsen BR. ACVR1 gene 617G to A Mutation in Three Latin American Kindreds with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressive (FOP). The 17th Annual Research Forum. The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown. 2011. Providence, RI.

Lundholm A, Cooper S, Schwartz S.  Rheumatologists Choosing Wisely: An Evaluation of Compliance with the ACR ANA Testing Guidelines.  American College of Physicians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting, May 8, 2014.

Stanishewski M, Reginato A.  Intussusception Complicating Adult-Onset IgA-Associated Vasculitis.  American College of Physicians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting, May 8, 2014.

Sczcygiel J, Schwartz S.  Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia in a Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient Treated with Infliximab.  American College of Physicians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting, May 8, 2014.

Szczygiel Cunha JP, Reginato AM and Schwartz S.  Quality Improvement in the Identification of Crystals from Synovial Fluid: Hospital Laboratory versus Rheumatology Department Evaluation.  Presented: ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, Boston, 2014.

Menendez A, Curry S, Zimmermann B: Active neurosarcoidosis affecting hypothalamus and hypophysis.  American College of Physicians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting, May 8, 2014.

Wang De, Najem C, Zimmermann B:  An idiopathic pericarditis complicated by pleuropericardial effusion.  American College of Physicians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting, May 8, 2014.

Mbuyi N, Morais S, Lan F, Schwter Z, Nguyen A, Mohammad N, Zimmermann B.  A Case of Rapidly Progressive Glomerylonephritis With anti-GBM and p-ANCA Antibodies. American College of Physicians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting, May 8, 2014.

Myuyi N, VonHeren D, Zimmermann B.  Pleural involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus. American College of Physicians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting. May 8, 2014.

Mbuyi N, VonHerzen D, Zimmermann B.  Lupus-like illness in a patient with Complement C2 Deficiency.  American College of Physicians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting. May 8, 2014.

Morais S, Lugo L, Jabbour E, Zimmermann B.  Acute gout presenting with SIRS, high fever, and altered mental status. American College of Physicians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting. May 8, 2014.

Najem C, Zimmermann B:  Strawberry tongue and skin desquamation: Kawaski or not Kawasaki.  American College of Physicians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting, May 8, 2014.

Patel A, Szczygiel J, Zimmermann B: Dermatomyositis: An initial manifestation of recurrent endometrial cancer.  American College of Physicins, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting, May 8, 2014.

Sahai T, Mohmmed N, Abdo T, Cook N, Zimmermann B:  An abnormal presentation of recurrent testicular lymphoma.  American College of Physicians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting, May 8, 2014.

Wang De, Najem C, Zimmermann B:  An idiopathic pericarditis complicated by pleuropericardial effusion.  American College of Physicians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting, May 8, 2014.

Mbuyi N, VonHerzon D, Zimmermann B:  Pleural involvement in SLE.  American College of Physicians,   Rhode Island Chapter Meeting, May 2015.

Mbuyi N, VonHerzen D, Zimmermann B.  Lupus-like  illness in a patient with Complement Deficiency.  American College of Physcians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting,  May 7, 2015.

Morais S. Lugo L, Jabbour E, Zimmermann B.  Acute gout presenting with SIRS, high fever, and altered mental status.  American College of Physicians, Rhode Island Chapter Meeting, May 7, 2015.

Katarzyna Gilek-Seibert, MD, RhMSUS  (Program Director)
 Dr. Gilek earned her MD at the Silesian School of Medicine in Poland and completed medical residency at North Shore Medical Center in Salem Massachusetts, where she was selected to be Chief Medical Resident. She was a member of the academic medical faculty at North Shore for several years before entering Rheumatology Fellowship at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Gilek is fluent in English and Polish, and board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.  Her clinical and research interests include rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory myopathy, and vasculitis, and she is ACR certified in musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Bernard Zimmermann, MD (Professor Emeritus)
A graduate of Harvard College and the West Virginia University School of Medicine, Dr. Zimmermann completed medical and rheumatology training at the Roger Williams Medical Center. He has been an active member of the Rheumatology and Internal Medicine faculties for over 20 years. He has published articles on various topics including septic arthritis, spondyloarthropathy, and gout, and lectures frequently on many rheumatologic topics. He lives in Rhode Island with his family, and enjoys sailing and other water sports.

Jordan DeHaven, PD

DeHaven, faculty of RWMC, is an academic clinician-educator with a doctorate degree in podiatry who introduced foot and ankle conference series for rheumatology fellows of Brown and BU-RWMC Universities.

Brown/VA Medical Center faculty

Anthony Reginato, PhD, MD
Dr. Reginato received both his PhD degree in anatomy and structural biology and medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his Internal Medicine training at Yale-New Haven Hospital and rheumatology fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital. After completing his rheumatology training, he joined the faculty in the Division of Rheumatology at MGH. He brings a wealth of experience in teaching and research in the areas of cartilage biology, crystal diseases and application of musculoskeletal ultrasound to rheumatic diseases to the program. He has particular clinical interest in diagnostic imaging in early rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and crystal diseases. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, cooking, gardening and playing soccer with his son.

Stuart T. Schwartz, MD
Dr. Schwartz graduated from Duke University and UMDNJ-Rutgers Medical School. He completed his medical training at Rhode Island Hospital and Rheumatology Fellowship in the Roger Williams Medical Center Program. In addition to his busy practice at Rhode Island Hospital, he is an active teacher at the Brown Medical School as well as the medical residency at Rhode Island Hospital, and is a key member of the rheumatology faculty. He has published and lectured on osteoarthritis, crystal diseases, and vasculitis among other topics. Dr. Schwartz enjoys biking and water sports and competes in local triathlons.

Joanne Szczygiel-Cunha, MD
Dr. Cunha completed her Internal Medicine residency at Brown University School of Medicine/Rhode Island Hospital, where she was also Fellowship-trained in Rheumatology. She received her medical degree from Albany Medical College. She received her undergraduate degree from Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, NY.

Deepan Dalal, MD Private Practice, Cranston, RI
In 2022 Dr. Dalal entered private practice and continues to be affiliated with RWMC and Brown Rheumatology. Dr. Dalal earned his medical degree from T.N. Medical College, a major teaching institution located in metropolitan Mumbai, India. He completed his internal medicine residency from Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH and rheumatology fellowship from Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. He has also completed a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. His clinical interests are in general rheumatology and musculoskeletal ultrasound. In addition, his research interests are in the field of epidemiology of rheumatic diseases. Publications

Dr. Laura Amorese-O’Connell
Private Practice Affiliate of Sturdy Hospital, Attleboro, MA
In 2022 Dr. Amorese entered private practice and continues to be affiliated with Brown Rheumatology. Dr. Amorese-O’Connell completed Rheumatology fellowship at Brown University School of Medicine/Rhode Island Hospital. In her spare time, she enjoys spinning/cycling classes and spending family time with her twin boys and husband.  

Iulia Grillo, M.D. 

Dr. Grillo graduated from Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Romania. She completed her Family Medicine residency in Romania and then went on to finish her Internal Medicine residency in Danbury CT. She is a graduate of the Roger Williams Medical Center/Boston University Rheumatology fellowship. She currently works at the Providence VA Medical Center and has a private rheumatology practice in Barrington, RI. Her interests include management of rheumatic conditions during pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis and IgG4 diseases. 

Lewena Maher, MD

Dr. Maher graduated RWMC Rheumatology Fellowship program in summer 2022. She joins Brown Physicians and faculty of Brown University. She finished her residency at Lahey Hospital, Burlington, MA and Med School at Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland. She speaks English, Irish Gaelic and French. 

 

 

Karl Greenblatt, MD

RWMC Fellow

Residency: University of Colorado Aurora, CO     
Med School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: I play guitar and would like to be in an actual band one day. I love baseball and the Sox. Despite a lack of actual athletic talent, I do also work out a lot

 

Zi Ying Li, MD

Residency: UCSF Fresno
Med School: Ross University School of Medicine
Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin

 

Chris Sonntag, MD

Residency: UAMS Northwest – Fayetteville, AR
Med School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish

 

Will Scheuing, MD    

Brown University Fellow

Residency: Virginia Tech Carilion Internal Medicine Residency Roanoke, VA  
Med School: University of Queensland School of Medicine Australia
Hobbies/Interests: Basketball, Hiking, Economics

Brown University Fellow

Residency and Chief Residency: Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA.
Med School: Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kerala, India.
Languages: English, Malayalam.