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In the News

2018 2017 2016

AIR Staff are Stars in the Office and in the Field

Friday, August 24, 2018

Members of the Aller'Gs Kickball Team Several of our multi-talented staff competed in the University of Rochester Kickball league under the team name, Aller'Gs. While being stars in the office by day, the Aller'Gs took first place for the season in their division on the field endeavor. Congratulations, Team!

Save the Date for Lupus Education Day

Friday, August 24, 2018

The Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology Division will again host Lupus Education Day this Fall. This year's event will be held on Saturday, October 27th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. See more information on registering for this free event.

Allen Anandarajah, MD, MSc Awarded One of Two ACR Grants From the Office of Minority Health for the IQ-LUPUS Project

Thursday, August 23, 2018

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) was awarded two grants from the Office of Minority Health. Dr. Anandarajah is the recipient of one of these two-year grants to further support the IQ-LUPUS project

Dr. Jennifer Barnas Receives ACR Rheumatology Research Foundation Scientist Development Award

Friday, August 10, 2018

Jennifer Barnas, MD, PhD was recently awarded an ACR Research Foundation award to support her investigation into “The Contribution of Renal Epithelial Cells to Innate Interferon Pathways in Lupus Nephritis.” She was also chosen as one of sixteen researchers to attend the Master Class in the SLE Basic and Clinical Sciences next month.

Laurie Heelon Presents at Rheumatology Nurses Society Annual Conference

Friday, August 10, 2018

Ms. Heelon, a physician support specialist in AIR, recently discussed the frustrations patients and staff experience with delayed prior authorizations and step therapy at the RNS National Conference in Fort Worth, TX. She offered practical advice for providers to help avoid delays.

AIR Physicians Dr. Allen Anandarajah and Dr. Bethany Marston to Sit on ACR National Committees

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Allen Anandarajah, MD, MSc and Bethany Marston, MD have each been chosen to sit on a National Committee of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Dr. Anandarajah is now a member of the Committee on Rheumatologic Care while Dr. Marston joins the Committee on Training and Workforce.

Register Now For Window Into Healthcare Disparities: Focus on Lupus to be Held June 9th

Monday, May 7, 2018

The IQ-LUPUS (Improve Quality in Low-income, Underserved, Poor, Underprivileged, SLE patients) Project, funded by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, aims to overcome some of the common problems faced by SLE patients from the minority communities. As part of this initiative we aim to educate the healthcare providers caring for patients with SLE. This CME conference is the first of such meetings and will discuss healthcare disparities and how they impact the care of lupus patients. The conference will be held Saturday, June 9^th from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. For more information and to register visit www.cvent.com/d/2gq9tn.

Allen Anandarajah, MD, MSc and Amanda Ostronic, MS, BSN, RN Head Rheumatology UR Pursuing Excellence Team

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Dr. Allen Anandarajah and Ms. Ostronic join one of several dozen UR Pursuing Excellence teams at URMC who will be fostering collaborative interprofessional teams to improve the quality of care for patients. This is part of a Medical Center-wide initiative to provide improved, innovative medical care throughout the URMC medical system, not just in the hospital.

Ummara Shah, MD and Jeanne Lomas, DO Named Associate Fellowship Program Directors

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Drs. Ummara Shah and Jeanne Lomas have recently taken on the role of Associate Program Director for the Rheumatology Fellowship and Allergy/Immunology Fellowship Programs respectively. The Division has numerous fellowship opportunities including combined training in Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology as well as adult and pediatric Rheumatology. Drs. Shah and Lomas will bring their unique expertise to these training programs.