Contact Us
For more information, please contact our program coordinator.
Mission Statement
The HCA Florida Largo Hospital Rheumatology Fellowship program’s mission is to develop the next generation of physicians and physician leaders.
As a part of HCA Healthcare, we are driven by a single mission: Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life.
This program is designed to offer residents a rewarding, educational environment where residents are provided individualized learning opportunities by faculty and staff who support and sustain one another throughout quality care delivery. Our faculty are committed to ensuring the residents' clinical experience and educational needs are fulfilled while expanding residents’ perspectives to be inclusive of cultures, values and ideals.
Program Overview
This program is designed to offer residents a rewarding, educational environment where residents are provided individualized learning opportunities by faculty and staff who support and sustain one another throughout quality care delivery.
The program is designed to develop qualified physicians who are clinically competent in the field of rheumatology, are capable of working in a variety of settings and possess habits of life-long learning to build upon their knowledge, skills and professionalism.
Diversity in training is obtained from exposure to varied patient populations, clinical and basic science seminars, x-ray conferences, pathology sessions, journal clubs and emphasis on one-on-one bedside teaching.
Training encompasses the full spectrum of connective tissue diseases from patients with infectious arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondyloarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic vasculitis to patients with osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia syndrome, gout, crystal-induced arthritis and localized musculoskeletal pain conditions.
Diversity of the clinical populations encountered at the clinics of Suncoast Internal Medicine Consultants and in the hospitals of HCA Florida Largo Hospital and Bay Pines VAMC covers the full spectrum of rheumatologic and related diseases.
Inpatient and outpatient settings are utilized to train fellows in rheumatology and provide additional exposure in the areas of musculoskeletal radiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, medical orthopedics, pain management, related pathology and clinical research.
Get to Know the Team
Robert L. DiGiovanni, DO
Program Director
Curriculum and Rotation Schedule
Our expertly crafted programs are designed to provide resident and fellow physicians with all the experiences and training necessary for professional success.
Salary & Benefits
Salary
| AY 24-25 | Annual Salary | On-Call Meals | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGY-4 | $68,973 | $950 | $69,923 |
| PGY-5 | $72,072 | $950 | $73,022 |
Benefits
- Health insurance available with a cost
- share; an optional family plan can be purchased
- Dental coverage provided with minimal charge
- Basic life insurance provided at no cost; additional amounts may be purchased for residents or family
- Professional liability insurance provided at no cost
- Disability insurance
- Special portable anticipated income disability insurance available at nominal cost
- Vacation/Educational Leave
- 20 days paid time off utilized for vacation and sick days
- Additional educational days available, must be preapproved by the Program Director and be in accordance with GME policies and procedures
Conference Schedule
Lecture series, conferences, journal clubs and daily academic rounds round out the fellows’ clinical learning.
Fellows receive a comprehensive, structured cognitive and procedural clinical education in both inpatient and outpatient settings that will enable them to become competent, proficient and professional osteopathic rheumatologists.
FAQ
We prefer M.D/D.O/M.B.B.S from an approved school of medicine within two years of applying to the program. We prefer you to have passed USMLE Step I and Step II Clinical Knowledge. Please reach out to the program coordinator about score minimums. We also ask that you have passed the Step II Clinical Skills Exam in your first attempt by the time the rank order list is submitted at the end of interview season. USMLE is helpful, but not required for osteopathic candidates.
We accept all candidates through the NRMP match from accredited US Allopathic and Osteopathic Medical Schools, and LCME accredited International Medical Schools. Candidates should be within 2 years of graduation from an LCME approved medical school or osteopathic school. Up to 5 years with advanced clinical experience, such as a prior internship or residency.
We will request a dean’s letter, your medical school transcript, a personal statement, USMLE or COMLEX scores, a headshot photograph, two letters of recommendation and your curriculum vitae.
We utilize the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) for our Matching process. All first-year positions are accepted through the ERAS and there are no pre-match positions. ERAS applications are accepted September 16th through December 15th each year. For information on ERAS, you may access their website at www.aamc.org/services/eras/.
Research is an important part of our mission at the HCA/USF Morsani College of Medicine HCA Florida Largo Hospital. There are numerous opportunities for residents to participate in ongoing projects through HCA Florida Largo Hospital or a project of their own.
Residents are strongly encouraged to participate in research. Opportunities include the ability to present at Grand Rounds, publish manuscripts and present posters at local, regional or national conferences. For residents with a specific research interest, faculty mentorship is required to assist residents in completing the research process.
Information about other HCA GME programs can be found at www.HCAHealthcare.com.