Rheumatology and Immunology

The Division of Rheumatology & Immunology at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center is committed to teaching, research and clinical care in the areas of autoimmune disease and musculoskeletal disease.

Our faculty consists of leading researchers, clinicians and instructors working together to accomplish the goals of the Medical Center.  We offer comprehensive clinical care for those with rheumatic and autoimmune diseases that can affect the joints, muscles, and bones causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity.

Besides an active clinical program, division faculty also have active research programs to solve basic problems in immunology and cell biology related to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and to solve clinical questions which may impact healthcare in the future.    

Follow @VUMCRheum

Division News Spotlight

Two Post-doctoral Fellowship Positions Available in the Ormseth Lab

A postdoctoral fellowship position is available in the Ormseth Lab at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the Division of Rheumatology & Immunology to study how human and microbial small RNAs may contribute to the development of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Interested applicants should submit their CV and a brief statement of research interests and accomplishments by email to: Michelle Ormseth, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, michelle.ormseth@vumc.org

A postdoctoral fellowship position is available the Ormseth Lab at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the Division of Rheumatology & Immunology to study a novel drug in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This fellowship is supported by NIH T32 training grant (US citizenship or permanent residency is required). Interested applicants should submit their CV and a brief statement of research interests and accomplishments by email to: Michelle Ormseth, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, michelle.ormseth@vumc.org

Post-doctoral Position is Available in the Chung Lab

The Division of Rheumatology and Immunology at Vanderbilt offers training for the next generation of investigators in rheumatic diseases. The Division seeks post-doctoral fellows to join our multidisciplinary research team.  Positions are open to trainees with a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent). Relevant areas of research in the broad field of Rheumatology include: molecular and cellular immunology, epidemiology, clinical pharmacology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and  health services.

Requirements include the ability to work in a multidisciplinary and diverse environment and strong communication skills. NIH T32 support is available and requires US citizenship or permanent residency. This mechanism can support MPH or MSCI training for qualified applicants.
 

Interested applicants should email their CV and a brief personal statement to Cecilia P. Chung, MD, MPH (c.chung@vumc.org).  

C. Michael Stein Among the Six from VUMC Identified as the Most Cited Researchers

Six current faculty members at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have made this year’s list of scientists whose papers have been cited most frequently by other researchers. Dr. Stein has made this prestigious list for the past 3 consecutive years. Congratulations!

All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Dr. Paras Karmacharya and colleagues recently published a systematic review of mortality in psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis in Arthritis Care and Research. The publication is available here. 

VUMC Team of Physicians Lead Efforts to Help Patients with Undiagnosed Diseases

Rheumatology's Dr. Kevin Byram is involved in a NIH-funded initiative at VUMC called the "Vanderbilt Center for Undiagnosed Diseases." Read about the success of the program here. 

Check out the abstracts submitted by our faculty that were accepted as posters and oral presentations at the 2021 American College of Rheumatology conference. 

ACR Abstracts >>

Dr. John Sergent recognized for contributions to diversity at inclusion

Marie Griffin, MD, MPH, and John Sergent, MD, were recognized for their contributions to diversity and inclusion during a portrait unveiling ceremony in Langford Auditorium on Aug. 16, sponsored by the Office of Diversity Affairs.

Read more >>
 

Drug response variability showcases opportunities for precision medicine

A team of researchers, led by Cecilia Chung, M.D., an associate professor in the Division of Rheumatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, published a review in Clinical Rheumatology using azathioprine as a high-stakes example of how pharmacogenetics can help rheumatologists prescribe wisely and the potential of developing risk scores. This notion was developed in another recent manuscript.

Read more >>

Welcome to our newest faculty member, Dr. Jason Springer! Jason Springer, MD, MS, has joined Vanderbilt University Medical Center as associate professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology in the Department of Medicine. Springer is co-director of the Vanderbilt Vasculitis Center, where he will oversee vasculitis clinical trials. He began seeing patients on Oct. 1.

Read more about Dr. Springer >>

Congratulations to Dr. Crofford for recognition on receiving the Castle Connolly America's Top Doctor award for 20 years running. 

Dr. Christman awarding Dr. Birchmore the Mark Wolcott Award for Clinical Excellence. Congrats!

Erin Wilfong giving a CTD-ILD lecture at the Tennessee Rheumatology Society Annual Meeting in January.

Vanderbilt Rheumatology faculty attended the annual American College of Rheumatology conference in Chicago. 

Click here to see more photos from the event >>

To the Rheumatology Division Fund

Your contribution will support research, education, and training in Rheumatology and Immunology.