Hooked on Rheum with Gwenesta B. Melton, MD

Issue: March 2023

ByGwenesta B. Melton, MD

During my internal medicine training, I was fascinated by immunology and marveled at the antigen and antibody formations formulated with exposures to medications, environmental agents or genetic predispositions.

I found the human immune system to be an intriguing area of medicine and a frontier to be explored. I explored this fascination by doing an allergy/immunology rotation as a first-year resident in internal medicine.

Quote from Melton — **Gwenesta** **B. Melton, MD,** describes his journey through the unique specialty of rheumatology.

After completion of the internal medicine and allergy/immunology rotations, a call to serve my time as an internist ensued in Seoul, South Korea. My interest in allergy/immunology persisted.

The chief of medicine at this institution understood my desire to pursue allergy/immunology, so I was assigned to cover for the allergist when he went on a prolonged vacation.

There is nothing like a real-world experience! I found that, in practice, I hated allergy/immunology.

Rather, I decided that caring for rheumatic patients was definitely the way to continue my fascination with immunology. It became clear that the autoimmune aspects of rheumatology is what I really enjoy. I am continually excited by the prospect of isolating antigens, preparing potential treatment targets and helping get patients into low disease activity and remission.

An application for a rheumatology/immunology fellowship ensued. A rheumatologist was born! I have never looked back.

Gwenesta B. Melton, MD

Vice President

Association of Women in Rheumatology