Our Services
Rheumatology
Description of Services
The Division of Pediatric Rheumatology evaluates children with prolonged joint pain, weakness, rash or fever and provides comprehensive care tailored to each child. Our physicians and staff include pediatric rheumatologists, rheumatology nurses, a clinical social worker and physical and occupational therapists. This team approach to providing clinical care is directed by faculty rheumatologists experienced in diagnosing and managing childhood rheumatic diseases, musculoskeletal pain syndromes and other conditions including, but not limited to:
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)
- Joint and muscle pain
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Dermatomyositis
- Vasculitis
- Uveitis
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Kawasaki Disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Scleroderma
- Rash
- Fever of unknown origin
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC is committed to the treatment and study of rheumatic diseases in children. At a time when many pediatric hospitals are unable to offer even a single full-time pediatric rheumatologist, Children’s Division of Pediatric Rheumatology has established one of the largest and most comprehensive pediatric rheumatology programs in the United States. The division’s six full-time faculty and a support team of medical specialists provide communities in western Pennsylvania and beyond with patient care of the highest quality for a wide range of conditions, basic and clinical research to develop new and better therapies and comprehensive educational opportunities to train the next generation of pediatric rheumatologists.
Scholarship Opportunity for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Their Immediate Famliy Members
UCB, Inc. is offering 30, one-time scholarships of up to $10,000 each in 2009 to patients diagnosed with RA and their immediate family members who are seeking an associate’s, undergraduate, or graduate degree or enrolled in a trade school educational program. The application deadline is March 20, 2009.
2009 Scholarship Information (PDF)
2009 Scholarship Application (PDF)
A Leader in Pediatric Medicine
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is a recognized leader in pediatric medicine. Quality patient care and advanced research consistently place Children’s among the nation’s top pediatric hospitals as reported by U.S. News & World Report and Children’s ranks eighth in funding from the National Institutes of Health. The hospital is currently undertaking a major expansion, which includes a new, state-of-the-art hospital and campus and a new 230,000-square-foot research facility.
The medical and research staff at Children’s Hospital comprise the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, recognized as one of the leading biomedical institutions in the nation.
Education and Training Program
Training tomorrow’s pediatric rheumatologists is an important part of the division’s mission. The division takes full advantage of its strengths to provide educational opportunities that are second to none, including a fellowship program that offers comprehensive training in both the clinical and research aspects of rheumatology.
Research Program
Children’s Division of Pediatric Rheumatology has emerged as a leader in autoimmunity research with a National Institutes of Health-funded basic research program dedicated to answering fundamental questions about juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases and a clinical research program engaged in the study of innovative therapies.
Referral Requirements
Referrals to the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology are accepted from primary care physicians and medical specialists. Referrals for patients enrolled in managed care insurance plans also may require authorization from the insurance provider and primary care physician. All necessary referral and authorization forms must be received before the patient’s visit. For accurate provider numbers or more information, please call the office number listed.
