James Bistolarides, MD

Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Residency: University of Chicago
Research/Scholarly Project: Clinical Features, Treatments, and Outcomes of a Large International Cohort of Childhood-onset Takayasu Arteritis
Mentor(s): Dr. David Cabral, Dr. Vidya Sivaraman, Dr. Linda Wagner-Weiner, Dr. Marija Jelusic, Dr. Jay Nocton
Scholarly Interests: Quality Improvement, Impact of new diagnosis and active disease on patients, their siblings, and families; more generally, will hope to find and fill a niche to help improve care in the world of rheumatology – how is TBD!
Why I chose to do my fellowship with MCW: It was a program that came recommended by rheumatologists whom I sought mentorship from, and chance encounters with alumni of the program.  It checked all the boxes as a place with supportive faculty and strong culture, broad clinical exposure, and opportunities to explore different academic interests. In the end, the geography also fit my family’s needs.
Advice for applicants: Try to figure out where you are most comfortable. This could be interpreted in a variety of ways, but I think of it most broadly as choosing a program where you feel supported and will have the freedom to learn. Some programs may come with a particular reputation for being renowned in “X,” “Y,” or, “Z.” I personally believe that overall many (or all) programs you may interview at are excellent places to train. You may find yourself best able to reach your individual goals if you plant yourself in soil that gives you the energy to develop and pursue your interests.