“My preceptorship experience was really amazing. I got to help young patients and their families deal with the diagnosis and onset of rheumatic disease. I remembered how it felt to experience that kind of uncertainty firsthand, and I realized that I am in a truly unique position to help people as a physician, possibly as a rheumatologist,” recalls Cluley. “Dr. Punaro was an amazing teacher, and my clinical skills have improved exponentially. No matter where my career takes me, I’ll always look to her as a mentor.”
Cluley is committed to a career in medicine, but is still weighing all the options before deciding if he’ll pursue a subspecialty. Rheumatology is high on the list. “I’ll always have strong ties to rheumatology. Even if my medical career takes me in another direction, the skills I’ve learned through my rheumatology education will no doubt make me a well-rounded and compassionate physician.”
The ACR REF/Abbott Medical Student Clinical Preceptorship is designed specifically for students who are between the first and second year of medical school and introduces these students to the specialty of rheumatology by supporting a full-time, six- or eight-week clinical experience. Both preceptors and students may apply for this award.
