URMC / Medicine / Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology
Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology
Welcome from the Interim Chief
Welcome to the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology (AIR). This Division has a long history of providing excellence in patient care, medical research, and education that dates back to the 1950’s. Our current faculty and staff are not only committed to carrying on this tradition but are also recognized nationally as leaders in their field.
We provide timely, comprehensive, individualized, state-of-the-art medical care to patients with musculoskeletal, autoimmune, and allergic diseases. We act as advocates for our patients and seek to improve treatments outcomes and quality of life.
Our faculty perform cutting edge investigation in basic science and translational research as we seek to expand our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie inflammatory, allergic and autoimmune disorders, with the goal of developing more effective and less toxic treatments.
We are also committed to educating the next generation of Allergists/Immunologists and Rheumatologists. Being a combined division with close ties to Pediatrics as well as many other Departments in the Medical Center including Orthopedics, Dermatology and others offers our fellows numerous unique opportunities.
Jennifer Anolik, M.D., Ph.D.
Interim Division Chief
Associate Chair of Research, Department of Medicine
Spotlight
Christopher Ritchlin Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award
Christopher Ritchlin, MD, MPH was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) recognizing his career as a dedicated mentor, teacher and researcher. Since joining the University of Rochester in 1991, Dr. Ritchlin has led research into bone biology and rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, while serving as a mentor for the AIR division's fellowship programs. He was a founding member of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) and mentors junior GRAPPA investigators. In 2018, Dr. Ritchlin was recognized as a Master of the American College of Rheumatology. He currently serves as the co-chair of the COVID-19 Task Force and member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the NPF. He has also served as a co-leader for NPF's collaborative effort with the National Institutes of Health Accelerating Medicines Partnerships (AMP). Dr. Ritchlin's contributions to the understanding and treatment for psoriatic arthritis has had a profound impact on those afflicted with psoriatic disease.
Read the press release: NPF Presents Alexa B. Kimball, M.D., MPH and Christopher Ritchlin, M.D., MPH with Lifetime Achievement Award.
Allen Anandaraja Named Department of Medicine Associate Chair for Wellness
Allen Anandarajah MD, MSc has been named Associate Chair for Wellness in the Department of Medicine. In his new role, he will be working with department leadership and faculty to promote resilience and wellness across all of our missions.
Dr. Anandarajah joined the URMC faculty in 2003 and served as Clinical Director of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology from 2006-2017. His most recent research interests have been focused on improving the care of patients with rheumatologic diseases from underserved and rural communities and is the founder and Program Director of the RA CHAMP Program at URMC which improves access to care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Anandarajah has had an ongoing interest in physician wellness for several years. He recently led a departmental retreat attended by representatives from all divisions to address wellness.