The UNMHSC, Division of Rheumatology provides ACGME accredited fellowship training in Rheumatology. The Division’s two-year program is currently funded for four fellows annually—two enter the program each year. 
Fellows receive:

• Extensive inpatient and outpatient clinical experience covering a wide range of rheumatic diseases at the University of New Mexico and the Albuquerque Veterans Administration Medical Center. 
• Four weekly continuity Clinics at VA and UNM 
• Weekly Educational Conferences and Journal Club 
• Dedicated pediatric rheumatology clinic experience, and longitudinal education in transitions of care from UNM’s Carrie Tingly Children’s Hospital to adult rheumatology.experience  
• Dedicated training in ultrasound and palpation guided injections  
• Weekly training and experience in onsite infusion centers 
• Monthly MOC Board Review 
• Monthly Musculoskeletal Radiology conference in conjunction with UNM Radiology 
• Off-service electives in Neuromusclar Disease (EMG/NCS), Pediatric Rheumatology, Orthopedics (including hand orthopedics and podiatry) and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 

The Division requires each fellow to participate ina scholarly/research project during the program. Fellows are expected to attend and present an abstract at the annual ACR Convergence meeting at least once during fellowship. 
 
UNM Rheumatology fellows publish at least 1 scholarly article per year, often more.  They present research at ACR, Western Medical Research Conference in Carmel and others.   
 
The UNM Rheumatology Fellowship has a 100% board pass rate, attributed to excellent clinical exposure and education, a board review curriculum and extended course implementation.

The Division of Rheumatology Fellowship Program only accepts applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Applications are accepted beginning in July and must be completed by September. Interviews will begin in the middle of September and conclude no later than November. 

• Applicants must include: 
• Completed application 
• Three (3) letters of recommendation from academic physicians you have worked with in the United States 
• A dean’s letter 
• A certified copy of your official medical school transcript 
• A current curriculum vitae (dated) 
• Personal statement 
• Passing USMLE scores on step 1, 2, and 3 

• A valid ECFMG certificate with Clinical Skills Assessment® Certification 
• Green card, J-1 visa or documentation of US citizenship 

Associate Program Director

Roderick Fields, MD
DoIM Rheumatology Division
1 University of New Mexico MSC 10-5550
Albuquerque, NM 87131
Phone: 505-272-4761

Assistant Fellowship Director

Maheswari Muruganandam, MD
DoIM Rheumatology Division
1 University of New Mexico MSC 10-5550
Albuquerque, NM 87131
Phone: 505-272-4761

VA Site Directors

Konstantin Konstantinov, MD, PhD

Kimberly Reiter, MD, MS

For Additional Information

Jackie Cremar
Fellowship Coordinator
Phone: 505-272-4761
Fax: 505-272-3624
Email: JCremar@salud.unm.edu

Rene Forsythe
Medical Education Program Coordinator
Phone: 505-272-5666
Email: rforsythe@salud.unm.edu

Senior Fellows

Ashan Iqbal, MD
Sumir Brahmbhatt, MD 

Junior Fellows

Angie Ariza-Hutchinson, MD 
Rosemina Patel, MD 

Past Fellows

Jaren Trost, MD 
Fatemeh Jafari Farshami, MD 
Maheswari Muruganandam, MD 
Noelle Rolle, MD 
Sabeen Yaqub, MD 
James Bennett, MD 
Romy Cabacungan, MD 
Tej Bhasvar, MD 
Timothy Moore, MD 
Luis Salayandia, MD 
Basmah Jalil, MD 
Santhi Penmetsa, MD 
Tony Makhlouf, MD 
Yumna Thariani, MD 
N. Suzanne Emil, MD 
Hillary Norton, MD 
Colbert Chavez, MD 
Suzanne DeLea, MD 
Natalia Chavez-Chiang, MD 
Kye Park, MD
Adnan Kiani, MD
David Cisneros, MD