The Global Rheumatology Access Scholars Program (GRASP) is a pioneering initiative based at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG). The program is dedicated to expanding global access to rheumatology expertise. GRASP equips physicians from regions with a limited rheumatology workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the lives of their patients with rheumatic diseases in their communities.

An Unparalleled Learning Experience

GRASP offers a one-month immersive training experience at UCSF, providing visiting doctors with rheumatology competency and diagnostic capabilities for complex autoimmune diseases. Participants will engage in:

• Comprehensive didactic lectures and interactive workshops covering a broad spectrum of rheumatologic conditions.
• Clinical shadowing experiences across UCSF’s three affiliated hospitals (ZSFG, UCSF Medical Center, and the San Francisco VA Medical Center), ensuring exposure to diverse patient populations and healthcare settings.
• Case-based discussions and individualized mentorship, fostering a deep understanding of complex rheumatologic diseases and their management.
• One-on-one preceptorship with leading rheumatologists, offering personalized guidance and mentorship.
• Lifetime access to an extensive teaching library of rheumatology materials, ensuring continued learning beyond the program.
• A strong professional network, connecting scholars to a growing global community of physicians committed to advancing rheumatology care worldwide.

Transforming Global Rheumatology Access

Rheumatic diseases, if left untreated, can lead to severe disability and even death. Access to specialized rheumatologic care is critical to improving patient outcomes. GRASP is driven by the mission that every person, regardless of geography, deserves access to high-quality rheumatologic care. By training physicians from regions without rheumatologists, we aim to bridge the global gap in rheumatology expertise, ensuring that life-saving treatments reach those who need them most. GRASP builds capacity to care for patients with severe autoimmune diseases around the globe

A Prestigious Opportunity

Upon successful completion of the program, scholars will receive a Certificate of Completion from UCSF, signifying their advanced training in rheumatology. Graduates become part of a distinguished network of GRASP graduates, with opportunities for continued collaboration, mentorship, and professional growth in rheumatology. GRASP is more than a training program—it’s a catalyst for change in global healthcare. Through education, mentorship, and a commitment to equitable access, we are shaping the future of rheumatology worldwide.