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Rheumatology

Founded in 1971, the Division of Rheumatology at Lurie Children's provides state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment for children who have rheumatologic associated musculoskeletal and inflammatory conditions. Our team of experts is the largest in Illinois. We provide coordinated care through our multidisciplinary clinics for a variety of conditions.

Our multidisciplinary specialists include:

Physical therapists
Occupational therapists
Nurse Practitioners
Social workers
Laboratory technicians (for vascular disease testing)

Experience

Our team of specialists is led by Marisa Klein-Gitelman, MD, MS, who has served as the division head since 2002. Together they treat a variety of childhood rheumatic diseases. Dr. Klein-Gitelman has expertise in pediatric lupus, vasculitis, uveitis and neuro inflammatory diseases. Special areas of expertise for Deirdre De Ranieri, MD, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and musculoskeletal ultrasound; Amer Khojah, MD, in immune dysregulation, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and periodic fevers; Brian Nolan, MD, in periodic fevers, chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO), autoinflammatory disease, and syndromes of immune dysregulation; and for Michael Miller, MD, in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Megan Hiskey MSN, APN, is our advancded practice nurse whose areas of expertise are JIA, lupus, uveitis, and other musculoskeletal diseases.

Our multidisciplinary specialists include:

Physical therapists
Occupational therapists
Nurse Practitioners
Social workers
Laboratory technicians (for vascular disease testing)

Approach

We have a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to care, that uses specialized and evidence-based approaches to diagnosis and treatment. To help provide our patients with the best and most comprehensive care possible, we also work collaboratively with experts in the areas pediatric dermatology; allergy and immunology; kidney diseases, radiology, neurology, orthopedics and sports medicine, and rehabilitation.

Our Programs

Conditions We Treat

Our physicians are at the forefront of advances in treatment to ensure they provide our patients with the best care possible. We take specialized and evidence-based approaches to diagnosing and treatment. The following is a list of some of the conditions we treat.

Appointments

To make an appointment with one of our specialists, please follow one of the steps below.

Make an Appointment Online

Existing MyChart users: If you have a Lurie Children's MyChart account, log in at mychart.luriechildrens.org to schedule your appointments.
New Patients & Non-MyChart users: Please fill out our Online Scheduling Form to schedule an appointment online or request an appointment. After you request an appointment, a MyChart account will be set up for you to schedule appointments online.

Make an Appointment By Phone

Please call 1.800.KIDS DOC (1.800.543.7362).

Preparing for Your Visit

Learn more about preparing for your visit and what to expect during your visit.

Research

The Division of Rheumatology is engaged in research targeted to improve quality and outcomes for children who live with autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders including childhood forms of arthritis, lupus and vasculitis.

Learn More

Fellowships

Keeping with our belief that quality education is inseparable from our quality patient care, we partner with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to train tomorrow’s leading pediatric physicians. As the pediatric teaching hospital for the Feinberg School of Medicine, we offer several opportunities for residents to further their education in a pediatric specialty.

The Division of Rheumatology offers a three-year ACGME accredited fellowship training program in pediatric rheumatology. The first year of fellowship is weighted toward clinical training; in the second and third years, the majority of time is spent on research training and execution. Fellowship applicants must complete an ACGME-approved residency in pediatrics from a US based institution before entering our program. For more information on the program or to learn how to apply, please review the Rheumatology Fellowship page on the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics website.

Philanthropy

Your support is important in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children’s relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please contact the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org, call 312.227.7500 or make a gift today.