September 2024

RHEUMATOLOGY

NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE RHEUMATOLOGY: A ROADMAP TO EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND CLINICAL CARE

Over the past decade, the Division of Rheumatology at Northwestern Medicine has made significant strides in our ability to treat patients and understand the complexities of rheumatic diseases. Here’s an overview of the Division’s accomplishments and its vision for driving change in the field.

TALENT ACQUISITION

Northwestern Medicine Rheumatology has focused on recruiting and developing a world-class team. By strategically expanding its faculty, the division has significantly enhanced its expertise across all rheumatic disease areas.

Goal: Build a diverse, expert faculty that covers all spectrums of rheumatic disease.
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Outcomes: These efforts have yielded impressive results, including:
  • 154% faculty growth since 2015
  • 21 dedicated research faculty members
  • 12 dedicated clinical faculty members
  • Global recognition with faculty members holding key roles such as:
    • Leadership in grant review processes at national and international levels including: Swiss National Science Foundation
    • Editorial roles in leading rheumatology journals including: Arthritis Care & Research, Arthritis Research & Therapy, Journal of Rheumatology, Rheumatology and Therapy, Autoimmunity, Arthritis and Rheumatology
    • Members of the U19 and PPG extramural awards in Pulmonary and Critical Care
    • Board members in key rheumatology societies including: Vasculitis Foundation, Rheumatology Research Foundation, American College of Rheumatology, Arthritis Foundation, Chicago Rheumatism Society, Ultrasound School of North American Rheumatologists (USSONAR), American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine, Lupus Research Alliance, Lupus Foundation of America
  • Multiple faculty members on the board and chairs of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) committees including: Research and Publications Subcommittee, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Membership and Awards Committee, Abstract Review Team, Literature Review Team

thought leadership

Northwestern Medicine Rheumatology faculty actively contribute to the global rheumatology community through speaking engagements. This positions Northwestern Medicine as a leader in shaping the future of rheumatology care.

Goal: Establish faculty as recognized thought leaders in rheumatology.
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Outcomes: Northwestern Medicine Rheumatology faculty’s expertise has been recognized through:
  • Invitations to speak at prestigious conferences
  • ACR Annual Meeting
  • Association of Women in Rheumatology Annual Conference
  • Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium
  • Contributions to ACR guidelines for vasculitis published in Arthritis & Rheumatology

ENHANCED ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED CARE FOR NEW PATIENTs

To better serve patients and address complex rheumatological conditions, Northwestern Medicine has invested in specialized clinics and expanded its overall capacity. This approach has allowed us to care for more patients, including those with complex rheumatological diseases.

Goal: Enhance patient care through specialized clinics and increased capacity.
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Outcomes: Clinical expansion has resulted in:
  • Eight established subspecialty clinics, including nationally recognized scleroderma and vasculitis institutes
  • 15 clinical support staff driving a 17% increase in unique patients served since 2019 (17,500 in 2023)
  • Multidisciplinary approach to care, integrating expertise from various specialties including:
    • Dermatology
    • Neurology
    • Nephrology
    • Otolaryngology
    • Pulmonology
    • Vascular surgery​

RESEARCH AND CLINICAL TRIALs

Advancing the field of rheumatology through leading-edge research is a cornerstone of the division. Northwestern Medicine has secured significant funding and conducted groundbreaking studies to improve patient outcomes.

Goal: Drive advances in rheumatology through leading-edge research.
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Outcomes: Research initiatives have led to:

EDUCATION AND TRAININg

Developing the next generation of rheumatology leaders is crucial for the future. Northwestern Medicine has revamped its rheumatology fellowship program to attract top talent. Investments include a modernized fellowship program with individual learning modules, fellowship driven didactic lecture series and a wellness program to support wellbeing.

Goal: Train the next generation of rheumatology leaders.
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Outcomes: Educational initiatives have resulted in:
  • Five fellows in training in the current cohort
  • Two fellows transitioning to full-time positions at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in September 2024

FUTURE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Building on this success, Northwestern Medicine has identified key areas for future growth.  

Systemwide integration: To ensure consistent, high-quality care across the entire health system, Northwestern Medicine aims to integrate rheumatology services across Northwestern Medicine hospitals.

Health equity initiatives: Recognizing the importance of accessible, culturally competent care, Northwestern Medicine will continue to prioritize culturally sensitive, individualized care, and has launched a lupus clinic specifically for patients who prefer to communicate about their health care in Spanish.

Precision medicine center: Building on the health system’s strengths, the Division of Rheumatology is continuing to develop a leading-edge precision medicine program that will:
  • Use extensive biorepositories of systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis tissue isolates
  • Expand the biorepository to include vasculitis, myositis, psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis
  • Conduct comprehensive epigenetic, genetic and proteomic profile analyses using state-of-the-art equipment and sequencers
  • Develop personalized treatment plans based on individual patient data

To learn more about the division, visit their website.

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