In the News
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Jennifer Anolik Awarded RO1 to Study Role of T-bet B Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Saturday, December 30, 2023
The lab of Jennifer Anolik, MD, PhD focuses on the identification of pathogenic B cell subsets in RA and recently identified a subset of B cells expressing the classic T cell lineage defining transcription factor T-bet enriched in the RA synovium. Dr. Anolik has been awarded a NIH NIAID RO1 grant to study the role of these cells in mediating B cell-driven bone activation of osteoclasts, inhibition of osteoblasts, and promotion of pro-inflammatory monocytes.
Study from Jennifer Anolik and Team: Building a 'Cellular Atlas' for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
New research from Jennifer Anolik, MD, PhD, Javier Rangel-Moreno, PhD and Darren Tabechian, MD along with several URMC and national/international collaborators, recently published in the journal Nature, deconstructed more than 314,000 cells into six major subtypes. In building this comprehensive atlas, understanding cell types and pathways, researchers can now use this knowledge in precision medicine, developing specific, individualized therapies. This work was funded by an NIH Network grant awarded to Anolik and team in 2014 that informed a new $10 million NIH grant for the Accelerating Medicines Partnership®: Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Diseases (AMP AIM) program in 2022.
Dr. Anitha Shrikhande Awarded an Allergy Action Award
Friday, November 3, 2023
Anitha Shrikhande, MD, MPH has been awarded an Allergy Action Award by the Allergy Advocacy Association for the impact her clinical work and research has had in the community.
URMC Internal Medicine Programs Names Dr. Jessica Stern Assistant Program Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Jessica Stern, MD has accepted the role of Assistant Program Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the URMC internal medicine residency program. In this role, she’ll help support and mentor residents and guide program efforts in promoting a safe, equitable and inclusive clinical learning environment.
Drs. Anandarajah and Kleiner Contribute to ACR Guidelines for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Friday, June 23, 2023
Allen Anandarajah, MBBS and Anatole Kleiner, MD are contributing authors in the article, “2022 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for Exercise, Rehabilitation, Diet, and Additional Integrative Interventions for Rheumatoid Arthritis” published in the journal, Arthritis and Rheumatism.
Read the article.
Dr. Christopher Ritchlin Interviewed about Psoriatic Arthritis Medication Study
Friday, June 9, 2023
Christopher Ritchlin, MD, MPH, professor of medicine in Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, gave an interview for the article "Good News on Guselkumab – Drug improved PsA through 1-year mark, even in those who previously took TNFis," published in MedPage Today.
Read the full article.
Dr. Jennifer Anolik Receives Lupus Research Alliance Grant
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Jennifer Anolik, MD, PhD, has received funding through the Lupus Mechanisms and Targets Award from the Lupus Research Alliance. The award is granted to those who have proposed research projects that will explore new potential treatment approaches to prevent lupus from developing, or slow down disease progression. The project’s co-Principal Investigator is Javier Rangel-Moreno, PhD.
The Lupus Mechanisms and Targets Award is for research that focuses on investigating molecular pathways or targets leading to the development of new or improved therapies for patients with cutaneous and systemic lupus erythematosus. The award is for $600,000 over three years.
Anolik’s project will investigate if sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors—a class of drugs approved to treat type 2 diabetes and associated kidney disease—can improve outcomes in lupus nephritis, which is inflammation in the kidneys caused by lupus that affects 40 to 70 percent of lupus patients. Current treatment approaches target inflammation with little impact on fibrosis and injury. Anolik will study mice with lupus nephritis to see if SGLT2 inhibitors reduce kidney hypoxia, inflammatory CD8 T cells, and kidney injury. She will also begin to investigate the effects of treatment with SGLT2i on clinical outcomes and pathogenic CD8 T cells in the blood and urine of patients with lupus nephritis.
“Kidney failure is a major complication for lupus patients,” said Anolik. “We hope that SGLT2 inhibitors will eventually be a new strategy to help prevent this.”
One of Anolik’s lupus patients was in need of a new kidney, then learned she needed a new heart at the same time. This patient underwent a rare dual-organ transplant, and is now thriving thanks to a multi-departmental collaboration.
Dual-Organ Transplant at Strong Memorial Hospital Saves Young Woman
Sunday, April 9, 2023
A Chili mother is recovering from life-saving, heart-kidney transplant surgeries following a massive effort at UR Medicine's Strong Memorial Hospital.
The Oct. 28 transplant surgeries ended a decade of illness, with doctors’ visits, medication, and other treatments to combat the deterioration of her kidney and heart. Ashley Cuylear, 32, had been diagnosed with lupus nephritis at just 22 years old.
“It was pretty dramatic because the disease was severely affecting the kidneys,” said Jennifer Anolik, MD, PhD, a rheumatologist who also leads a busy team of scientists studying the disease.
Read the full story.
Dr. Emily Weis Speaks to Channel 8 About Seasonal Allergies in Rochester
Thursday, March 30, 2023
With allergy season approaching, Emily Weis, MD, MS recently shared some tips for allergy sufferers with Channel 8’s Jatyra March. Watch here.
Faculty and Fellows from Allergy Present Their Work at AAAAI 23
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) held its annual conference last month in San Antonio. The academy can boast of more than 7,000 allergists and immunologists across 74 countries, many of whom convened for the meeting to share research, best practices, and resources in their field.
Several URMC faculty and fellows flew down to share their work and participate in sessions.
“The conference is a great way to reconnect with colleagues in person and exchange ideas about developments in the field,” said Jessica Stern, MD. She was able to highlight collaborative work on improving health inequities in allergic disease. She is working on the national and local level to encourage all learners and faculty to use an equity lens in their work. At the AAAAI meeting different forums and styles were used to deliver this information in an engaging and accessible way.
Dr. Allen Anandarajah Publishes Article on Importance of Participation of Minorities in Clinical Trials
Friday, February 17, 2023
Allen Anandarajah, MD, MSc recently published “Education the Clinician: Importance of Black Participants in Lupus Clinical Trials,” where he outlined the importance of minority inclusion in clinical trials to achieve improved outcomes in patient care. His article was published in Rheumatology Advisor and can be read here.
Drs. Rosario and Stern Publish Findings on Penicillin Allergy Delabeling
Friday, February 17, 2023
Cheryl Rozario, DO and Jessica Stern, MD, MS recently published their findings on the removal of a penicillin allergy label by practitioners other than allergists in their article, “Outcomes of penicillin allergy delabeling by non-allergy specialist at an academic medical center,” that was published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Read the article.
Dr. Christopher Ritchlin Featured in “Best of 2022” from RheumNow
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Christopher Ritchlin, MD, MPH has been featured in Rheum Now's “Best of 2022” feature for his article “The Contribution of the Gut Microbiome and Diet to Joint Inflammation in PsA. Read the article.
AIR Research Presented at National Meetings
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
The AIR Division was well represented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting 2022 held in Louisville, KY and the American College of Rheumatology Convergence 2022 meeting held in Philadelphia, PA this month. The meetings highlight the most current research findings as they relate to Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology respectively. Faculty, fellows, and residents presented their research through numerous posters, oral presentations and conferences.
Katherine Herman (top) and Lauren Davidson (bottom) present their research
Study Led by Dr. Jessica Stern Shows Hay Fever Among School Children Leads to Worse Asthma Outcomes
Thursday, September 15, 2022
A study led by Jessica Stern, M.D., assistant professor in Pediatrics and Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, found half of children diagnosed with both asthma and hay fever were not receiving proper care. Learn more about the study.
AIR Research Presented at National AAAAI Scientific Meeting
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Members of the AIR Division recently attended the 2022 American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Scientific Meeting in Phoenix, AZ. Several AIR faculty and fellows presented their work. This meeting highlights the current research findings and topics as they relate to allergy, asthma and immunology.
$10 Million NIH Grant Funds Research on Treatments for Autoimmune Diseases
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
The Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology division, along with other URMC collaborators, has earned a multimillion-dollar grant for five years to research autoimmune diseases. Jennifer Anolik, M.D., Ph.D., professor and interim chief of Allergy/Immunology & Rheumatology, and Christopher Ritchlin, M.D., M.P.H., professor of Allergy/Immunology & Rheumatology, will lead rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis research teams, respectively.
Learn more about this grant.
Dr. Anandarajah Awarded Grant to Reduce Racial Disparities in Clinical Trials
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Allen Anandarajah, M.B.B.S., has been awarded a grant from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), funded through the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. Funding will go towards developing initiatives that will reduce racial disparities in lupus clinical trials. The grant is titled TIMELY, which stands for Training to Increase Minority Enrollment in Lupus trials with communitY engagement. TIMELY is a two-year grant for $500,000, which will be split between URMC and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, both universities leading the efforts on this initiative. The grant will run through September 2023.
Anandarajah and URMC were chosen as leaders for this new program due to the success of a previous two-year program, Materials to Increase Minority Involvement in Clinical Trials (MIMICT).
In the US, lupus is more common in African American and Hispanic populations, however, patients from these populations are currently underrepresented in lupus clinical trials. The goal of the project is to increase clinical trial literacy for physicians and community health workers on phases, functions, and benefits, through educational materials woven throughout a multi-stage, interactive training program. This will lead to raising clinical trial awareness among underrepresented patients living with lupus in our region.
“This project will help us continue to be national leaders in providing high-quality care for patients from minority communities with lupus,” said Anandarajah. “We started a few years ago with the IQ-LUPUS project that was partly funded by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation (GRHF) and have continued to improve our efforts first with the MIMICT and now the TIMELY projects. In addition to serving our patients, these grants will ultimately help build better relationships with our community."
Read the press release from the ACR.
Dr. Looney's Research on Senescent Cells in Lupus Highlighted by the Department of Defense
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Lupus research conducted by R. John Looney, MD and his lab has been highlighted in a Department of Defense publication that features news about biomedical research in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program.
Read the article: "Therapeutic Targeting of Senescent Cells in Lupus"
Dr. Bingemann Appointed to ACGME Review Committee
Friday, January 21, 2022
Theresa Bingemann, MD, associate professor in Pediatrics and Medicine in the divisions of Pediatric Allergy/Immunology and Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, has been appointed to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's (ACGME) review committee for allergy/immunology training programs. Dr. Bingemann is the Program Director for the URMC Allergy and immunology fellowship training program.
Allergy Clinics Offer Care, Counseling to Manage COVID Vaccine Reactions
Thursday, December 16, 2021
As COVID-19 vaccines started to roll out, many people with a variety of health conditions wondered how their bodies would react to the vaccine. “If I have a food allergy, could I be allergic to the vaccine?” “I’m receiving chemotherapy, is it safe to get vaccinated?” Fortunately, the Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology (AIR) division has been a haven of counseling and care for patients.
Getting People Vaccinated and Recovered
Emily Weis, M.D., M.S., clinical director for Allergy, and colleagues have been supporting patients who are concerned about vaccine reactions or had them after the shot. While the COVID vaccines are new, the premise for viral vaccines are not. The Allergy team evaluates safety on a case-by-case basis.
A major focus of the team’s work has been pre-consultation with patients concerned about their medical conditions that may put them at risk for reactions. They also help patients determine which vaccine is the best option for them. Staff have handled 20-30 referrals a week since the vaccines became available. “We’ve been nose to the grindstone to get people vaccinated as safely and timely as possible,” said Weis.
The Allergy team is available to people who report allergic symptoms after vaccination. However, “It’s exceedingly rare for patients to have a true allergy," Weis said.
For patients whose health conditions put them at risk for a negative reaction, the team sometimes vaccinates them on-site in the allergy clinics, prepared to provide immediate care.
The clinic has also served as a resource for staff at New York State vaccination sites when they encountered people whose health conditions prompted questions about whether to provide the vaccine. Staff directed individuals to seek consultation with the Allergy team to determine the best approach for vaccination.
A Winding Road to Vaccination
One patient, who is a mother and grandmother, had a long road to receiving a vaccine, but ultimately found a safe ending thanks to Weis and the clinic. When she arrived at a mass vaccine site, she reported that she had autoimmune issues, had previously had a reaction to an antibiotic, and she also has environmental allergies and was showing some slight symptoms that day. Not wanting to put her at risk of an adverse reaction, the site asked her to speak with an allergist before receiving the vaccine.
She went to an allergist, who did not feel comfortable providing a note for her to be vaccinated. Weeks later, her husband spoke to a doctor about his wife’s situation, and the doctor gave him Weis’s number. The patient and Weis had telehealth consultations to get the full picture of her health. They developed a plan to get her to a point where she was no longer displaying her baseline allergic symptoms.
They scheduled an appointment for her to go into the clinic and receive the vaccine under Weis’s supervision. Together, they decided that the Johnson & Johnson single shot was the best for her. The patient remained in the office for one-hour post vaccine administration with continual monitoring. She tolerated the vaccine well, and left the office feeling great.
“She gave me my life back,” the patient said. “I hadn’t been able to leave the house much. I’ve been able to babysit my grandkids again and celebrate birthdays. Dr. Weis gave me a lot of freedom in finding a protocol that worked for me. I trust her completely.”
AIR Research Presented at National Meeting
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
The AIR Division \was well represented at the ACR Convergence 2021 which was held virtually from November 3rd through the 9th. This meeting highlights the most current research findings as they relate to Rheumatology. Faculty, post-doctoral fellows and research staff presented their research through numerous posters and oral presentations.
Save the Date: Lupus Education Day, November 13th 2021
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
The 15thAnnual Lupus Education Day will be held virtually on November 13, 2021 from 10 – 11:30. The event is free but registration is required. Please see our event calendar posting or event flyer for details.
Allen Anandaraja Named Department of Medicine Associate Chair for Wellness
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
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.
Jennifer Anolik Named Interim Division Chief of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology
Monday, October 4, 2021
After eight years as division chief of AIR, Christopher Ritchlin, M.D., M.P.H., is stepping down to focus on research, while Jennifer Anolik M.D., Ph.D., assumes the role of interim chief. Anolik also currently serves as associate chair of research and education for the department of Medicine.
Read More: Jennifer Anolik Named Interim Division Chief of Allergy, Immunology, and RheumatologyChristopher Ritchlin Receives NPF Lifetime Achievement Award
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Christopher Ritchlin, M.D., M.P.H., professor of Medicine, has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF). The celebration was part of the 2021 Commit to Cure Gala hosted in New York City on September 9, where Ritchlin’s long history of research and clinical care was honored.
Ritchlin is director of the Clinical Immunology Research Unit and is a member of the Center for Musculoskeletal Research. He has served as division chief of AIR for the past eight years, growing the division in both size and funding. Ritchlin is a founding member of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA). Through the NPF, he is co-chair of the COVID-19 Task Force and a member of their scientific advisory committee.
From the Commit to Cure Gala: “It is with great honor that NPF recognizes the lifetime achievements of Dr. Ritchlin with this prestigious award. His efforts for the foundation and his larger contributions to the understanding and advancement of treatment for psoriatic arthritis will resonate for generations to come. His work has had a profound impact on those impacted by psoriatic disease as well as on the NPF community throughout the country.”
Read the NPF press release: NPF Presents Alexa B. Kimball, M.D., MPH and Christopher Ritchlin, M.D., MPH with Lifetime Achievement Award.
Read More: Christopher Ritchlin Receives NPF Lifetime Achievement AwardDr. Jessica Stern Receives Career Development Award
Friday, September 24, 2021
Jessica Stern, MD has been awarded a two-year Diversity in Clinical Trials Career Development Award from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. The purpose of the award is to train and develop investigators who are committed to increasing the diversity of patients enrolled in clinical trials with the goal of yielding new treatments that are effective in all populations.
Drs. Anolik and Barnas Author Chapter in Comprehensive Reference Textbook on Lupus
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Jennifer Anolik, MD, PhD and Jennifer Barnas, MD, PhD co-authored the chapter entitled, “B-cell Biology, Tolerance and Autoantibodies” in the recently published 6th edition of Lahita’s Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, a highly regarded reference text for clinical specialists.
Dr. Christopher Palma Leads Study of COVID Treatment at URMC
Monday, March 29, 2021
AIR Research Presented at National Meeting
Friday, December 4, 2020
The AIR Division was well represented at the American College of Rheumatology's 2020 National Meeting which was held virtually from November 5th through the 9th. This meeting highlights the most current research findings as they relate to Rheumatology. Faculty, post-doctoral fellows and research staff presented their research through numerous posters and oral presentations.
AIR Walks to Support Lupus and Scleroderma Research
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Despite many community activities being virtual in 2020, the AIR division is still involved, participating in the Lupus Research Alliance's "ManyOne Can. Walk with Us to Cure Lupus" and the Scleroderma Foundation's "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma."
Drs. Anthony Ocon and Christopher Ritchlin Among Authors of a Publication Outlining Guidance for Management of Psoriatic Disease During the Pandemic
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Drs. Bethany Marston and Jason Kolfenbach Share Their Advice for Fellows
Friday, September 11, 2020
Bethany Marston, MD, Director of the Rheumatology Fellowship Program at URMC, and Jason Kolfenbach, MD, Director of the Rheumatology Fellowship Program at the University of Colorado, recently published the article, "How to Succeed in a Fellowship and Beyond" in the news magazine, The Rheumatologist. The article discusses five focus areas to help fellows get the most out of their training. Read the article.
Christopher Ritchlin, MD, MPH Presents at the 13th Annual Rheumatology Nurses Society Conference
Thursday, August 6, 2020
On August 6, 2020, Dr. Ritchlin gave a presentation entitled "The Latest Treatments, Research, and Guidelines for Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)" at the Rheumatology Nurses Society Conference which was held virtually this year.
Dr. Jessica Stern Authors Study on Asthma and Food Allergies
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Jessica Stern, MD and colleagues recently published their findings on the association between food allergy and asthma morbidity in The Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Read more here (subscription required). Abstract is also available on PubMed.
AIR Research Presented at National Meeting 2019
Friday, November 8, 2019
The AIR Division was well represented at the American College of Rheumatology's 2019 National Meeting in Atlanta, GA from November 8th through the 13th. This meeting highlights the most current research findings as they relate to Rheumatology. Eight faculty members and one fellow had a total of 13 presentations which included poster and oral abstract presentations as well as lectures. Three faculty members served as moderators for one or more sessions.
Lupus Education Day 2019
Saturday, October 19, 2019
The 13th Annual Lupus Education Day was held on October 19th. This symposium provides individuals with lupus and their families a venue for receiving the latest updates in lupus care. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about numerous topics of interest. Lectures included "What's New in the World of Lupus," given by symposium organizer, Jennifer Anolik, MD, PhD and "Lupus and Pregnancy," presented by guest speaker, Loralei Thornburg, MD.
View educational materials from this symposium.
Accelerating Medicines Partnership Research Findings Highlighted by NIH
Thursday, June 20, 2019
The NIH issued a news release in response to three papers in the June 18thissue of Nature Immunology. This research was supported by the Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP), of which the AIR Division is a part. The AMP brings together multiple entities in an effort to identify potential treatment targets for RA and SLE.
Read the NIH News Release
AIR Steps Out to Cure Scleroderma
Friday, June 7, 2019
Members of the Division participated in the Step Out to Cure Scleroderma Walk held at Seneca Park on June 1st. The walk is an annual event sponsored by the Scleroderma Foundation Tri-State Chapter. The team is pleased to announce that they exceeded their goal in raising money for this cause.
The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry has been Chosen as a World Allergy Organization Center of Excellence
Monday, May 6, 2019
John Looney, MD, Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo, MD. PhD, Steve Georas, MD, Sandy Khurana, MD, and Lisa Beck, MD have been awarded a WAO Center of Excellence. The WAO provides educational outreach programs, symposia and lectureships in 100 countries around the world. Centers of Excellence are tasked with intensifying and accelerating multi-disciplinary scientific and clinical research, education, and training in allergy, asthma and clinical immunology.
Bethany Marston, MD joins ACR Discussion on Workforce Issues
Thursday, March 14, 2019
The Rheumatologist recently reported on the increasing shortage of rheumatologists in the U.S. and noted URMC's efforts to expand our rheumatology fellowship training program. According to rheumatologist Bethany Marston, M.D., "We're working with the American College of Rheumatology to find ways to support additional expansions here and across the country to help meet the demand of future rheumatology applicants and patients." Read more in The Rheumatologist.
Christopher Ritchlin, MD, MPH a Master of the American College of Rheumatology
Thursday, October 25, 2018
At the 2018 National Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, Christopher Ritchlin, MD, MPH was honored with one of the College's highest honors. He was the recipient of its Master of the ACR designation. Recipients must "have made outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through scholarly achievement and/or service to their patients, students, and the rheumatology profession (and) devoted their long careers to furthering rheumatology research and improving clinical standards in the treatment of rheumatic diseases."
AIR Research Presented at National Meeting 2018
Thursday, October 25, 2018
The AIR Division was well represented at the American College of Rheumatology's National Meeting in Chicago, IL October 19-24, 2018. This meeting highlights the most current research findings as they relate to Rheumatology. Ten faculty members and one fellow had a total of 16 presentations which included poster and oral abstract presentations as well as lectures. Two presenters, R. John Looney, MD and Hung Trinh, MD were selected as having the best abstract or session.
AIR Staff are Stars in the Office and in the Field
Friday, August 24, 2018
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!
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
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 9th 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.