The Rheumatology Fellowship program at Wake Forest School of Medicine is an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited program. Fellows have the valuable opportunity to care for a diverse patient population and see an extensive variety of rheumatologic illnesses. As one of the major medical centers in North Carolina, we see patients from all over the region.
Our fellowship allows fellows to pursue their unique goals, whether they seek a career in clinical or academic rheumatology.
The program accepts applicants who have completed, or are about to complete, internal medicine residency training, are eligible to sit for the American Board of Internal Medicine certification exam and wish to receive further training in the subspecialty of rheumatology.
Program Goals
The mission of the Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program is to produce physicians that
- Are clinically competent in the field of rheumatology, and
- Are capable of working in a variety of settings, and
- Possess habits of life-long learning to build upon their knowledge, skills and professionalism, in support of a patient-centered approach to healthcare delivery
The philosophy of the rheumatology fellowship training program is to provide the fellow with the resources necessary to undertake a self-directed learning program that will lead to high-level competence in clinical rheumatology, and provide a foundation upon which the fellow may pursue the next level of mentored research training. The resources made available to the fellow are as follows:
- Large number of patients representing the spectrum of rheumatologic disorders
- Active clinical and research faculty in rheumatology, and at WFSM at large
- The resources inherent in a nationally recognized tertiary care medical center
- A local and regional didactic conference program, and hands-on training in procedures including ultrasonography, relevant to rheumatology
- Recommended sources for self-directed reading
- A mentoring program that provides ongoing feedback on training progress and career development.
Education Tracks
Here at Wake Forest Rheumatology, we have two tracks available:
- Two-year clinical track in rheumatology
- An additional 1-2 year research track is available upon matriculation to rheumatology fellowship resulting in a certificate or M.S. degree in Learning Health Care System that requires a separate application process.
Visiting Resident Information
If you are interested in completing an away rotation here at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, please reach out to Alycia Smith (alysmith@wakehealth.edu) with relevant information.
Be aware that any resident practicing here in the state of North Carolina will require a training license which can take up to 90 days to be approved. Please reach out at least 3 months prior to start date to confirm availability and allow for licensure and paperwork to be completed.
Additional information can be found on the GME website.
Thank you for your interest in the Wake Forest Rheumatology Fellowship Program!
We are truly proud of what you have accomplished thus far and are excited about the possibility of being part of the next chapter of your medical journey. Our goal is to recruit fellows who are not only outstanding clinicians but who are also deeply committed to lifelong learning—essential qualities for anyone aspiring to become a top-notch rheumatologist.
Our two-year fellowship is structured to provide broad and progressive clinical training. You will learn to expertly recognize, diagnose, and manage the full spectrum of rheumatologic diseases. Throughout your training, you will have continuity clinics at both Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and the Kernersville Veterans Affairs. All clinics are staffed by our faculty.. Given that Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is a premier academic medical center, you will be exposed to complex and challenging cases balanced by the more common rheumatologic conditions encountered at both sites, especially at the VA.
In addition to robust outpatient experiences, you will spend time on our inpatient consult service at Wake Forest Baptist, managing a diverse array of cases ranging from scleroderma renal crisis and vasculitis to crystal arthropathies like gout. Our fellows graduate confident and well-prepared, whether they choose to pursue careers in private practice, academics, or beyond.
Education is central to our program. In addition to hands-on clinical training, we offer a comprehensive didactic curriculum covering core rheumatology topics, procedure workshops (including aspirations and injections), access to electives, and unique training opportunities. All fellows undertake mentored research projects as well as participate in group quality improvement initiatives, helping develop critical scholarly and leadership skills.
At Wake Forest, we believe in cultivating a supportive and collaborative environment. Our section functions like a family: we work together not only to deliver outstanding patient care but also to support each other professionally and personally. Our faculty are deeply invested in the fellows' education and well-being, and we are continually responsive to fellow feedback as we strive to enhance the training experience. We celebrate the achievements of our fellows, faculty, and staff—both personal and academic—and stand together through challenges. By joining Wake Forest, you are not just advancing your education—you are becoming part of a family.
We are excited for your future in rheumatology and look forward to welcoming you into our dynamic, rapidly evolving field. While we may not have the opportunity to train all of you, the rheumatology world is close-knit, and we eagerly anticipate calling you a colleague.
Rachel M Wolfe, MD
Director, Rheumatology Fellowship Program
Assistant Professor of Medicine
2025
Dr. Ellen Ann Sockman
Residency: West Virginia University,
Current positon: Private practice in Greensboro, NC
Residency:
Current position: Private practice in Greensboro, NC
2024
Dr. Ben Riffe
Residency: Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC
Current Position: Academic Faculty at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Residency: Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC
Current Position: Private practice in Winston Salem, NC
2023
Dr. Alyssa Stranzanac
Residency: Virginia Tech, Carillion, Roanoke, VA
Current position: Private practice in Greensboro, NC
Residency: Residency: University of Texas Medical Center, Galveston, TX
Current position: Private practice in Dallas, TX
2022
Dr. John Herion
Residency: USC/Prisma Health, Greenville, SC
Current position: Private practice in Wilmington, NC
Residency: Kansas University School of Medicine
Current position: Private Practice in Henderson, KY
2021
Dr. Ellie Klionsky
Residency: Case Western University, Cleveland, OH
Current position: Private Practice in Alaska
Residency: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
Current position: Private practice at Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC
2020
Dr. Brian Bush
Residency: University of Tennessee
Current position: Private practice in Knoxville, TN
Residency: Jewish Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
Current position: Private practice in Lexington, KY
2019
Dr. Sunghye Kim
Residency: John H. Stroger Hospital, Chicago, IL
Current position: US Food and Drug Administration
Dr. Devy Setyono
Residency: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Current position: Private practice in Honolulu, Hawaii
2018
Dr. Trey Mullis
Residency: Wake Forest Baptist Health
Current position: Private Practice in Greenville, SC
