Dr. Korman's clinical interest is in the diagnosis and management of patients with scleroderma and other related autoimmune connective tissue diseases. He works to provide interdisciplinary care for patients including addressing problems with skin (fibrosis and thickening), blood vessels (Raynaud's phenomenon), gastrointestinal issues (acid reflux, GI motility problems), lung disease (interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension), heart, and kidney problems. He is interested in providing individualized care and is well versed in cutting-edge immunotherapeutics as well symptom-relieving modalities.

Dr. Korman's research program focuses on understanding the cells and processes which cause scarring (fibrosis) and vascular disease (including pulmonary hypertension) in scleroderma. He uses both experimental models of disease and patient samples to better understand the relationship between adipose (fat) cells, blood vessels and scar-forming cells (fibroblasts). The ultimate goal of this work is to better understand why patients have different disease manifestations and to provide personalized treatment approaches.

Certified Specialties

Rheumatology

Faculty Appointments

Associate Professor - Department of Medicine, Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Rheumatology, McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. 2012 - 2014

Residency, Internal Medicine, McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. 2010 - 2012

Internship, Internal Medicine, McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. 2009 - 2010

Education

MD | Ohio State University College of Medicine. 2009

Research

Research Lab

Korman Lab

Visit Research Lab Website

Publications

Journal Articles

The cancer-associated glycan polysialic acid is dysregulated in systemic sclerosis and is associated with fibrosis.

Khan L, Derksen T, Redmond D, Storek J, Durand C, Gniadecki R, Korman B, Cohen Tervaert JW, D'Aubeterre A, Osman MS, Willis LM

Journal of autoimmunity.. 2023 November 140 :103110. Epub 09/22/2023.

Pulmonary Hypertension: How to Best Treat the Different Scleroderma Phenotypes?

Korman BD, Lachant DJ, Castelino FV

Rheumatic diseases clinics of North America.. 2023 May 49 (2):345-357. Epub 1900 01 01.

Differences in symptom experience among patients with systemic sclerosis: a cluster analytic approach to identifying subgroups.

Murphy SL, Chen YT, Lee YC, Carns M, Aren K, Korman B, Hinchcliff M, Varga J

Rheumatology.. 2023 February 662 (SI):SI64-SI73. Epub 1900 01 01.

Implementation of automated behavior metrics to evaluate voluntary wheel running effects on inflammatory-erosive arthritis and interstitial lung disease in TNF-Tg mice.

Kenney HM, Wood RW, Ramirez G, Bell RD, Chen KL, Schnur L, Rahimi H, Korman BD, Xing L, Ritchlin CT, Schwarz EM, Cole CL

Arthritis research & therapy.. 2023 February 225 (1):17. Epub 02/02/2023.

Clinical and Autoantibody Associations in Antinuclear Antibody-Positive Systemic Sclerosis Lacking Prototypic Autoantibodies.

Kruzer K, Goncalves Marangoni R, Heckler I, Elhage A, Varga J, Hinchcliff M, Carns M, Aren K, Wielgosz A, Nuzzo M, Venkataraman I, Korman B

Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases.. 2023 January 129 (1):47-51. Epub 06/28/2022.

Circulating CTRP9 Is Associated With Severity of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease.

Yang MM, Balmert LC, Marangoni RG, Carns M, Hinchcliff M, Korman BD, Varga J

Arthritis care & research.. 2023 January 75 (1):152-157. Epub 08/24/2022.

Alterations of the Primary Cilia Gene SPAG17 and SOX9 Locus Noncoding RNAs Identified by RNA-Sequencing Analysis in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis.

Roberson EDO, Carns M, Cao L, Aren K, Goldberg IA, Morales-Heil DJ, Korman BD, Atkinson JP, Varga J

Arthritis & rheumatology.. 2023 January 75 (1):108-119. Epub 11/29/2022.

Multi-omics analysis identifies IgG2b class-switching with ALCAM-CD6 co-stimulation in joint-draining lymph nodes during advanced inflammatory-erosive arthritis.

Kenney HM, Rangel-Moreno J, Peng Y, Chen KL, Bruno J, Embong A, Pritchett E, Fox JI, Becerril-Villanueva E, Gamboa-Domínguez A, Quataert S, Muthukrishnan G, Wood RW, Korman BD, Anolik JH, Xing L, Ritchlin CT, Schwarz EM, Wu CL

Frontiers in immunology.. 2023 14 :1237498. Epub 08/25/2023.

Thy-1 plays a pathogenic role and is a potential biomarker for skin fibrosis in scleroderma.

Marangoni RG, Datta P, Paine A, Duemmel S, Nuzzo MA, Sherwood L, Varga J, Ritchlin C, Korman BD

JCI insight.. 2022 October 107 (19)Epub 10/10/2022.

Pathological pulmonary vascular remodeling is induced by type V collagen in a model of scleroderma.

Marangoni RG, Korman BD, Parra ER, Velosa APP, Barbeiro HV, Martins V, Dos Santos ABG, Soriano F, Teodoro WR, Silva PL, Tourtellotte W, Capelozzi VL, Varga J, Yoshinari NH

Pathology, research and practice.. 2021 April 220 :153382. Epub 02/19/2021.

Engineering Advanced In Vitro Models of Systemic Sclerosis for Drug Discovery and Development.

De Pieri A, Korman BD, Jüngel A, Wuertz-Kozak K

Advanced biology.. 2021 April 5 (4):e2000168. Epub 02/15/2021.

Targeting CD38-dependent NAD metabolism to mitigate multiple organ fibrosis.

Shi B, Wang W, Korman B, Kai L, Wang Q, Wei J, Bale S, Marangoni RG, Bhattacharyya S, Miller S, Xu D, Akbarpour M, Cheresh P, Proccissi D, Gursel D, Espindola-Netto JM, Chini CCS, de Oliveira GC, Gudjonsson JE, Chini EN, Varga J

iScience.. 2021 January 2224 (1):101902. Epub 12/07/2020.

Tumor Necrosis Factor Induces Obliterative Pulmonary Vascular Disease in a Novel Model of Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Bell RD, White RJ, Garcia-Hernandez ML, Wu E, Rahimi H, Marangoni RG, Slattery P, Duemmel S, Nuzzo M, Huertas N, Yee M, O'Reilly MA, Morrell C, Ritchlin CT, Schwarz EM, Korman BD

Arthritis & rheumatology.. 2020 October 72 (10):1759-1770. Epub 08/20/2020.

Adipocytic Progenitor Cells Give Rise to Pathogenic Myofibroblasts: Adipocyte-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Its Emerging Role in Fibrosis in Multiple Organs.

Marangoni RG, Korman B, Varga J

Current rheumatology reports.. 2020 September 2522 (11):79. Epub 09/25/2020.

and autoantibodies define scleroderma subtypes and risk in African and European Americans and suggest a role for molecular mimicry.

Gourh P, Safran SA, Alexander T, Boyden SE, Morgan ND, Shah AA, Mayes MD, Doumatey A, Bentley AR, Shriner D, Domsic RT, Medsger TA, Ramos PS, Silver RM, Steen VD, Varga J, Hsu V, Saketkoo LA, Schiopu E, Khanna D, Gordon JK, Kron B, Criswell LA, Gladue H, Derk CT, Bernstein EJ, Bridges SL, Shanmugam VK, Kolstad KD, Chung L, Kafaja S, Jan R, Trojanowski M, Goldberg A, Korman BD, Steinbach PJ, Chandrasekharappa SC, Mullikin JC, Adeyemo A, Rotimi C, Wigley FM, Kastner DL, Boin F, Remmers EF

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.. 2020 January 7117 (1):552-562. Epub 12/23/2019.

Combination of treprostinil with sympathectomy and vascular reconstruction to treat recurrent digital ulcer disease.

Lemay M, Korman B, Hammert W, White RJ, Lachant D

Clinical and experimental rheumatology.. 2020 38 Suppl 125 (3):176-177. Epub 04/15/2020.

A case of concurrent systemic sclerosis and scleredema.

Mitchell DC, Agnihothri R, Scott GA, Korman B, Richardson CT

JAAD case reports.. 2019 November 5 (11):940-942. Epub 10/24/2019.

Evolving insights into the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis.

Korman B

Translational research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine.. 2019 July 209 :77-89. Epub 02/23/2019.

Brief Report: Whole-Exome Sequencing to Identify Rare Variants and Gene Networks That Increase Susceptibility to Scleroderma in African Americans.

Gourh P, Remmers EF, Boyden SE, Alexander T, Morgan ND, Shah AA, Mayes MD, Doumatey A, Bentley AR, Shriner D, Domsic RT, Medsger TA, Steen VD, Ramos PS, Silver RM, Korman B, Varga J, Schiopu E, Khanna D, Hsu V, Gordon JK, Saketkoo LA, Gladue H, Kron B, Criswell LA, Derk CT, Bridges SL, Shanmugam VK, Kolstad KD, Chung L, Jan R, Bernstein EJ, Goldberg A, Trojanowski M, Kafaja S, Maksimowicz-McKinnon KM, Mullikin JC, Adeyemo A, Rotimi C, Boin F, Kastner DL, Wigley FM

Arthritis & rheumatology.. 2018 October 70 (10):1654-1660. Epub 08/29/2018.

Adipocyte-specific Repression of PPAR-gamma by NCoR Contributes to Scleroderma Skin Fibrosis.

Korman B, Marangoni RG, Lord G, Olefsky J, Tourtellotte W, Varga J

Arthritis research & therapy.. 2018 July 1120 (1):145. Epub 07/11/2018.

The novel adipokine C1q-TNF related protein 9 (CTRP9) is elevated in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Korman B, Alejo R, Sudhakar D, Hinchcliff M, Agrawal R, Varga J, Marangoni RG

Clinical and experimental rheumatology.. 2018 36 Suppl 113 (4):184-185. Epub 08/28/2018.

Brief Report: Association of Elevated Adipsin Levels With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis.

Korman BD, Marangoni RG, Hinchcliff M, Shah SJ, Carns M, Hoffmann A, Ramsey-Goldman R, Varga J

Arthritis & rheumatology.. 2017 October 69 (10):2062-2068. Epub 1900 01 01.

Adiponectin is an endogenous anti-fibrotic mediator and therapeutic target.

Marangoni RG, Masui Y, Fang F, Korman B, Lord G, Lee J, Lakota K, Wei J, Scherer PE, Otvos L, Yamauchi T, Kubota N, Kadowaki T, Asano Y, Sato S, Tourtellotte WG, Varga J

Scientific reports.. 2017 June 307 (1):4397. Epub 06/30/2017.

Nrf2 exerts cell-autonomous antifibrotic effects: compromised function in systemic sclerosis and therapeutic rescue with a novel heterocyclic chalcone derivative.

Wei J, Zhu H, Lord G, Bhattachayya M, Jones BM, Allaway G, Biswal SS, Korman B, Marangoni RG, Tourtellotte WG, Varga J

Translational research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine.. 2017 May 183 :71-86.e1. Epub 12/09/2016.

Mutation in LEMD3 (Man1) Associated with Osteopoikilosis and Late-Onset Generalized Morphea: A New Buschke-Ollendorf Syndrome Variant.

Korman B, Wei J, Laumann A, Ferguson P, Varga J

Case reports in dermatological medicine.. 2016 2016 :2483041. Epub 06/13/2016.

A candidate gene study reveals association between a variant of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPAR-?) gene and systemic sclerosis.

Marangoni RG, Korman BD, Allanore Y, Dieude P, Armstrong LL, Rzhetskaya M, Hinchcliff M, Carns M, Podlusky S, Shah SJ, Ruiz B, Hachulla E, Tiev K, Cracowski JL, Varga J, Hayes MG

Arthritis research & therapy.. 2015 May 1917 (1):128. Epub 05/19/2015.

Myofibroblasts in murine cutaneous fibrosis originate from adiponectin-positive intradermal progenitors.

Marangoni RG, Korman BD, Wei J, Wood TA, Graham LV, Whitfield ML, Scherer PE, Tourtellotte WG, Varga J

Arthritis & rheumatology.. 2015 April 67 (4):1062-73. Epub 1900 01 01.

Recent advances in the genetics of systemic sclerosis: toward biological and clinical significance.

Korman BD, Criswell LA

Current rheumatology reports.. 2015 March 17 (3):21. Epub 1900 01 01.

Inflammatory expression profiles in monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and relationship with atherosclerosis.

Korman BD, Huang CC, Skamra C, Wu P, Koessler R, Yao D, Huang QQ, Pearce W, Sutton-Tyrrell K, Kondos G, Edmundowicz D, Pope R, Ramsey-Goldman R

Arthritis research & therapy.. 2014 July 1016 (4):R147. Epub 07/10/2014.

Genome-wide association study identifies variants in the MHC class I, IL10, and IL23R-IL12RB2 regions associated with Behçet's disease.

Remmers EF, Cosan F, Kirino Y, Ombrello MJ, Abaci N, Satorius C, Le JM, Yang B, Korman BD, Cakiris A, Aglar O, Emrence Z, Azakli H, Ustek D, Tugal-Tutkun I, Akman-Demir G, Chen W, Amos CI, Dizon MB, Kose AA, Azizlerli G, Erer B, Brand OJ, Kaklamani VG, Kaklamanis P, Ben-Chetrit E, Stanford M, Fortune F, Ghabra M, Ollier WE, Cho YH, Bang D, O'Shea J, Wallace GR, Gadina M, Kastner DL, Gül A

Nature genetics.. 2010 August 42 (8):698-702. Epub 07/11/2010.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, efalizumab, and immunosuppression: a cautionary tale for dermatologists.

Korman BD, Tyler KL, Korman NJ

Archives of dermatology.. 2009 August 145 (8):937-42. Epub 1900 01 01.

An autoinflammatory disease with deficiency of the interleukin-1-receptor antagonist.

Aksentijevich I, Masters SL, Ferguson PJ, Dancey P, Frenkel J, van Royen-Kerkhoff A, Laxer R, Tedgård U, Cowen EW, Pham TH, Booty M, Estes JD, Sandler NG, Plass N, Stone DL, Turner ML, Hill S, Butman JA, Schneider R, Babyn P, El-Shanti HI, Pope E, Barron K, Bing X, Laurence A, Lee CC, Chapelle D, Clarke GI, Ohson K, Nicholson M, Gadina M, Yang B, Korman BD, Gregersen PK, van Hagen PM, Hak AE, Huizing M, Rahman P, Douek DC, Remmers EF, Kastner DL, Goldbach-Mansky R

The New England journal of medicine.. 2009 June 4360 (23):2426-37. Epub 1900 01 01.

Genetic risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis differ in Caucasian and Korean populations.

Lee HS, Korman BD, Le JM, Kastner DL, Remmers EF, Gregersen PK, Bae SC

Arthritis and rheumatism.. 2009 February 60 (2):364-71. Epub 1900 01 01.

The chromosome 7q region association with rheumatoid arthritis in females in a British population is not replicated in a North American case-control series.

Korman BD, Seldin MF, Taylor KE, Le JM, Lee AT, Plenge RM, Amos CI, Criswell LA, Gregersen PK, Kastner DL, Remmers EF

Arthritis and rheumatism.. 2009 January 60 (1):47-52. Epub 1900 01 01.

Mortality of bullous pemphigoid: an evaluation of 223 patients and comparison with the mortality in the general population in the United States.

Parker SR, Dyson S, Brisman S, Pennie M, Swerlick RA, Khan R, Manos S, Korman BD, Xia Z, Korman NJ

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.. 2008 October 59 (4):582-8. Epub 08/15/2008.

Common variants at CD40 and other loci confer risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Raychaudhuri S, Remmers EF, Lee AT, Hackett R, Guiducci C, Burtt NP, Gianniny L, Korman BD, Padyukov L, Kurreeman FA, Chang M, Catanese JJ, Ding B, Wong S, van der Helm-van Mil AH, Neale BM, Coblyn J, Cui J, Tak PP, Wolbink GJ, Crusius JB, van der Horst-Bruinsma IE, Criswell LA, Amos CI, Seldin MF, Kastner DL, Ardlie KG, Alfredsson L, Costenbader KH, Altshuler D, Huizinga TW, Shadick NA, Weinblatt ME, de Vries N, Worthington J, Seielstad M, Toes RE, Karlson EW, Begovich AB, Klareskog L, Gregersen PK, Daly MJ, Plenge RM

Nature genetics.. 2008 October 40 (10):1216-23. Epub 09/14/2008.

STAT4: genetics, mechanisms, and implications for autoimmunity.

Korman BD, Kastner DL, Gregersen PK, Remmers EF

Current allergy and asthma reports.. 2008 September 8 (5):398-403. Epub 1900 01 01.

Variant form of STAT4 is associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Korman BD, Alba MI, Le JM, Alevizos I, Smith JA, Nikolov NP, Kastner DL, Remmers EF, Illei GG

Genes and immunity.. 2008 April 9 (3):267-70. Epub 02/14/2008.

Combination immunosuppressive therapies: the promise and the peril.

Robinson MR, Korman BD, Korman NJ

Archives of dermatology.. 2007 August 143 (8):1053-7. Epub 1900 01 01.

Ratings & Comments

At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.

Ratings

During this visit, did this provider spend enough time with you?

4.9

During this visit, did this provider show respect for what you had to say?

4.9

During this visit did this provider give you easy to understand information about these health questions or concerns?

4.9

During this visit, did this provider listen carefully to you?

4.9

During this visit, did this provider explain things in a way that was easy to understand?

4.9

Patient Comments

I love that Dr. Korman takes the time to listen to my concerns and answers my questions. I am blessed that he is my Sclero doctor.

Aug 21, 2024

Dr. Pokorny and Dr. Korman are top notch. Anyone would be fortunate to be their patient

Aug 12, 2024

5.0

Dr. Korman is an excellent Dr. and a very caring person. A very intelligent man. I have recommended Dr. Korman to several people who are now his patients.

Aug 05, 2024

Excellent positive experience

Jul 13, 2024

Dr Korman is a very knowledgeable practitioner. He always reviews my options for care and involves me in every step of the process.

Jul 12, 2024

5.0

Dr. Korman is very caring. Kind and concerned about my health. Very informative and explained everything. One of the best doctors I've ever had..

Jun 12, 2024

5.0

I don't know anyone with scleroderma. But if I did, I'd recommend him.

Apr 29, 2024

5.0

Always takes the time to explain changes and why these changes are needed. Asks for my opinion, if I have any other questions and if I wish to proceed.

Dec 17, 2023

5.0

He is an excellent, very good and very kind doctor. He always listen to my health prob. & he always help me.

Nov 08, 2023

5.0

I have recommended Dr. Benjamin Korman to others and they are happy with him, too.

Sep 29, 2023

2.5

He did not even examine me. He sat in his chair and just talked.

Sep 15, 2023

5.0

Dr Korman is very knowledgeable and demonstrates his interest in providing the very best evidenced based care to his patients. He explains treatments very clearly and thoroughly. He is an asset to the practice. There is a team approach to care that benefits the patient. I am encouraged to be an active participant in my own care.

Sep 14, 2023

5.0

Dr Korman was careful to explain his thoughts on how I should move forward and the new medication changes.

Sep 10, 2023

4.6

I'm glad I came here to establish care. My health care has been complicated since having a mild case of covid in January. Looking for answers. Dr. Korman is VERY knowledgeable in my disease process. He explained various scenarios, treatment options, and left the decisions up to me.

Aug 18, 2023

5.0

Dr. Korman always listens to your concerns and patiently listens to your questions/concerns and does not rush you.

Aug 01, 2023

5.0

I am so grateful to have a specialist who understands scleroderma.

Jun 22, 2023

5.0

No provider has ever given me more of his time in understanding me and in explaining my care as Dr. Korman did. The best ever.

May 01, 2023

5.0

Dr Korman is very knowledgeable and explains options for treatments very thoroughly. He encourages patient participation in their care.

Apr 26, 2023

5.0

I have to travel from Syracuse, NY to be seen by Dr Korman. While I was not happy with the unavailability of Rheumatologists in Syracuse, which meant I had to travel to Rochester despite the many hospitals where I live, I am blessed to have connected with such an informed physician . I appreciate his expertise and Information, and now I have no problem traveling to Rochester to see him for my care. Thank you Dr Korman !!

Jan 19, 2023

5.0

Dr. Korman took his time to explain my diagnosis and mgt. Patient education on his part is key. I appreciate it.

Jan 19, 2023

5.0

Dr. Korman is an excellent clinician and really involves me so that I can make decisions about my care. He is pleasant and patient and always addresses my concerns.

Dec 21, 2022

5.0

Dr. Korman has been great. He is very knowledgeable & helpful.

Nov 30, 2022

1.8

I felt that Dr. Korman was very condescending [...]

Oct 21, 2022

5.0

Have already recommended Dr. Korman to my friends who needed his care.

Sep 15, 2022

5.0

Dr. Korman has been fantastic with dealing with my issues with switching medications and insurance restrictions.

Aug 27, 2022

5.0

Dr. Korman is excellent in every way. So to his PA.

Jun 16, 2022

5.0

One of the best communicators for an MD, I have ever had.

May 27, 2022

Dr. Korman is top notch

Apr 02, 2022

5.0

I have absolutely no complaints or concerns regarding Dr. Korman, I trust him completely.

Mar 13, 2022

5.0

I would recommend Dr, Korman in a heart beat to anyone!

Mar 13, 2022

Dr. Korman is a wonderful doctor, extremely informative and very patient with all of my questions/concerns. I have recommended him to several people since I've been under his care.

Feb 19, 2022

4.6

I understand Dr. Korman is busy but I frequently feel he is rushed. [...]

Feb 17, 2022