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.
Rheumatology
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Rheumatology
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VUMC Discover:
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Division News Spotlight
More patient recognition of our amazing rheumatology providers!
Dr. Samantha Minkin was recently acknowledged as an outstanding provider by a patient:
“I saw Dr. Minkin after having a bad experience with a different provider in TN (not related to Vanderbilt). I had such an amazing dr in WA State where I was diagnosed that I was so worried to see anyone else, but we moved to TN so I had to find someone else. Dr. Minkin was so thorough, kind, and totally seemed to understand a lot about my body. It was such a huge relief. Then a week after I saw her for the first time, I had a scary issue where I ended up in the ER. Her office was so kind and helpful too. Having a disease like this is scary enough. You have to have a kind and caring dr- Period!!! Thankful I found Dr. minkin and got in with her. I feel so relieved. She is an asset to the Rheumatology world.”
Keep it up!
The reviews are in! VUMC Rheumatologists are outstanding!
Patients are raving about VUMC Rheumatology. Dr. Susan Kroop received a glowing review recently:
"Dr. [Susan] Kroop is an amazing doctor who cares deeply about her patients. She also maneuvers through the system well and balances the art of documentation while engaging with her patient. I always feel very well informed and well taken care of!"
On top of her patient recognition, Dr. Kroop was recently elected to the Academy of Excellence in Clinical Medicine.
Way to go!
Congrats to Meghan Corrier, graduate student in Dr. Chung's lab!
Meghan's abstract, "Concurrent Gabapentin and Opioid Use and Risk of Mortality in Medicare Recipients with Non-cancer Pain," was accepted at the upcoming meeting for the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (ASCPT).
Meghan will also be accepting the ASCPT Presidential Trainee Award. The award includes a $500 prize, commemorative certificate, and complimentary registration to the annual meeting in Atlanta. Way to go, Meghan!
Congrats to Dr. Leslie Crofford who was recently awarded the Arthritis Foundation Healthcare Hero Award!
Congrats to Dr. Jin Chen who was recently appointed as Ingram Professor of Cancer Research!
Nutraceutical in Buckwheat Cleans Up RA Inflammation
Using animal models, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have established that 2-HOBA (2-hydroxybenzylamine), a nutraceutical in buckwheat seeds, has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis and hypertension.
Dr. Jim Gore Spotlights St. Sampson Medical Clinic
Rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease: a common path
Michelle Ormseth, MD, MSCI, and colleagues tested whether the rise in anti-MAA antibodies observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis could serve as a predictive biomarker for atherosclerosis. In a study of 166 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, they found that the predictive value of a 10-year risk score for cardiovascular disease that is based on blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other factors improved significantly when the rise in anti-MAA antibodies was added to it.
VUMC lauded for scleroderma treatment, research
Vanderbilt University Medical Center was recently listed as a Designated Scleroderma Research and Treatment Center by the National Scleroderma Foundation. Dr. Tracy Frech's work with interdisciplinary investigative teams has led to systemic sclerosis now being more effectively investigated as vascular leak and endothelial dysfunction with resultant fibrosis.
Three-decade Review Clarifies Pregnancy Risks in Lupus
Small sample sizes have limited the scope of research on treatment and outcomes in women with lupus, but at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, rheumatologist April Barnado, M.D., and her team are working to change that.
Boothby Lab Beta-cell Review - Open Access Availability
A recent publication in the journal of Cellular & Molecular Immunology from the Boothby lab is now available via Springer's open access! Read it here!
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!
Portrait Unveiling
Dr. Sergent was recognized for his contributions to the educational mission of the School of Medicine with the unveiling of his own portrait. 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.
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.
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.
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 >>
Contact Us:
Clinic Phone: 615-322-4746, OPTION ONE
615-322-1900, New & Return Patient Appointments
615-343-3813, Fax (Clinic)
www.vanderbilthealth.com/rheumatology »
Rheumatology Clinic - Vanderbilt Campus
2501 The Vanderbilt Clinic (TVC)
1301 Medical Center Drive
Nashville, TN 37232
Division Administrative Phone: 615-322-4746, OPTION TWO
Division Administrative Fax: 615-322-6248
Division Administrative Team »
Division Administrative Office
1161 21st Avenue South, T-3113 Medical Center North
Nashville, TN 37232-2681
To the Rheumatology Division Fund
Your contribution will support research, education, and training in Rheumatology and Immunology.