ACR Journals on Air Podcast
Welcome to ACR Journals on Air, the ACR’s newest podcast series featuring interviews, commentary, and analysis on research from our three peer-reviewed journals: Arthritis & Rheumatology, Arthritis Care & Research, and ACR Open Rheumatology. Join us each episode for engaging discussions with authors and independent experts about recently published studies, their implications for clinical care, and how they move the field of rheumatology forward.
Whether it’s an expert analysis of a manuscript or deep dive with an author—our goal is the same—to understand the impact of the science and bring it from the bench to the bedside.
Podcast Host
Victoria Shanmugam, MBBS, MRCP, CCD, has clinical expertise caring for patients with autoimmune diseases, vasculitis, and chronic wounds. She has led several research studies investigating scleroderma, hidradenitis suppurativa, and the interplay of the host immune response and the microbiome in chronic wounds. Dr. Shanmugam is a frequently invited speaker at professional meetings. Her work in wound healing, hidradenitis, and scleroderma has been published in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, such as Arthritis Care and Research, Current Opinion in Rheumatology, International Wound Journal, and Clinical Rheumatology. Connect with Dr. Shanmugam on Twitter (@VickiShanmugam).
Episodes
New episodes will be available twice a month on Tuesdays.
Episode 70 – Naming Matters
Episode 69 – Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Episode 68 – A Class Project
Episode 67 – PAs In Rheumatology: A Joint Effort
Episode 66 – The Weight of Lupus
Browse previous episodes in the ACR Journals on Air archive.
Episode Show Notes
Today, we explore why naming matters—especially when it comes to peripheral nervous system disorders in autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s Disease. Victoria Shanmugam, MBBS, MRCP, CCD, is joined by Ghaith Noaiseh, MD, and Kathy Hammitt, MA, two key contributors to the recently published manuscript, Recommendations for Aligned Nomenclature of Peripheral Nervous System Disorders Across Rheumatology and Neurology, in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
They discuss the critical importance of unified terminology across specialties, the implications for diagnosis and treatment, and how clearer, consistent language can empower both clinicians and patients. The conversation also delves into the development of clinical practice guidelines and how this nomenclature effort supports interdisciplinary care, research, and patient advocacy. Tune in for expert insight and a behind-the-scenes look at a major collaborative effort to bring clarity to complex clinical conversations.
Ghaith Noaiseh, MD – Ghaith Noaiseh, MD, is an Associate Professor of Allergy, Clinical Immunology, and Rheumatology at the Kansas University Medical Center. Dr. Noaiseh is originally from Syria and completed his internship in Laboratory Medicine at Tishreen University Hospital. He subsequently completed an internship and residency at Case Western Reserve University/St Vincent Charity Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, where he also served as chief resident. He was then an academic hospitalist at the Cleveland Clinic for several years before completing a fellowship in rheumatology at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2012, he joined the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he worked in the UPMC Lupus Center and established the UPMC Sjögren’s Clinic. He has now moved to my favorite part of the country, Kansas, where he leads the KU Sjogren’s Clinic.
Katherine M. Hammitt, MA – Katherine M. Hammitt, MA – As Vice President of Scientific & Medical Affairs for the Sjögren’s Foundation, Katherine Morland Hammitt, MA, oversees all key medical and research initiatives to increase our knowledge about Sjögren’s, improve the exchange of ideas to accelerate research, and set the stage for better treatment and management of Sjögren’s. Kathy currently leads the development of Clinical Practice Guidelines in Sjögren’s; the international Clinical Trials Consortium, which addresses barriers to successful clinical trials and includes developing better outcome measures and enabling patient stratification both for trials and clinical management; engagement in the Foundation for the NIH innovative research initiatives, including AMP® AIM and the Biomarkers Consortium; and advocacy initiatives on issues critical to Sjogren’s patients. Kathy has authored many journal articles, textbook chapters, and CME programs on autoimmune disease and Sjögren’s.
Kathy brings a special passion to her position as a Sjögren’s patient herself. A former television news writer and producer, she brought her journalism skills to the Sjögren’s Foundation following her diagnosis. She has since been an ardent advocate for change and believes in empowering patients to take an active role in their illness and bringing the international community together to create a brighter future for those who suffer from Sjögren’s.
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In this episode of ACR Journals on Air, Jason Knight, MD, joins us to discuss his recent Arthritis & Rheumatology review on antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), an autoimmune disease marked by complex thromboinflammatory processes. We explore the evolving understanding of APS pathogenesis, the role of antiphospholipid antibodies, Beta-2 glycoprotein I, and NETosis, as well as current and emerging treatment strategies. Dr. Knight also shares insights from his research career and reflects on the personal and professional journey behind his work. This episode is a must-listen for clinicians and researchers focused on autoimmunity and translational science.
Jason Knight, MD – Jason Knight, MD, is a practicing rheumatologist, the Marvin and Betty Danto Research Professor of Rheumatology, and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Michigan. His research laboratory studies the pathophysiology of antiphospholipid syndrome, lupus, and COVID-19.
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In this episode of ACR Journals on Air, host Victoria Shanmugam, MBBS, MRCP, CCD, returns to the mic and dives into the CLASS Project—an ambitious international study on anti-synthetase syndrome recently published in Arthritis & Rheumatology. Joined by Sara Faghihi Kashani, MD, MPH, Akira Yoshida, MD, and Giovanni Zanframundo, MD, PhD, they explore the clinical characteristics, antibody profiles, and skin and lung manifestations of this complex autoimmune condition. The conversation covers everything from global collaboration challenges to nuanced antibody testing and rare clinical features like hikers’ feet. With insightful perspectives from each guest, this episode sheds light on the evolving understanding of anti-synthetase syndrome and the future directions of the CLASS initiative.
Sara Faghihi Kashani, MD, MPH – Sara Faghihi Kashani, MD, MPH, was born and raised in Iran. She studied medicine at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and then for several years was at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the National Institutes of Health, where she served for several years on several NIEHS protocols contributing to the development and implementation of research studies aimed at advancing the understanding of inflammatory myopathies and other rheumatic disorders, including investigations into the natural history of the diseases, environmental risk factors, and pathogenesis. Sara subsequently completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and rheumatology fellowship at Stanford University. She is now a Clinical Informatics Fellow at the University of California, San Francisco, where she is learning to leverage technology and informatics to improve the care of people with rheumatic diseases.
Akira Yoshida, MD – Akira Yoshida, MD, is a rheumatologist and a postgraduate student at the Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine in Tokyo Japan. He completed his medical degree at Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Medicine in Tokyo and then completed internal medicine residency and rheumatology training at the Kameda Medical Center in Chiba Japan. He is a member of the Japan College of Rheumatology and a fellow of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.
Giovanni Zanframundo, MD, PhD – Giovanni Zanframundo, MD, PhD, is a consultant rheumatologist and assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. He completed his medical degree at the University of Rome and trained in rheumatology at the University of Pavia. He also received his PhD in Experimental Medicine from the University of Pavia in 2022.
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With the growing shortage of rheumatology specialists in the US, healthcare systems face increasing delays, clinician burnout, and inefficiencies. In this episode, we explore a promising solution: the integration of physician assistants/associates (PAs) into rheumatology practice. We’re joined by Benjamin Smith, PA-C, Associate Dean and Program Director at Florida State University, and first author of Profile and Attributes of Physician Assistants/Associates in Rheumatology, published in Arthritis Care & Research. He shares insights into the demographics, workload, satisfaction, and future potential of rheumatology PAs, highlighting their expanding role in addressing workforce gaps and enhancing patient care.
Benjamin J. Smith, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA – Benjamin J. Smith, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, is the Program Director and Associate Dean at the Florida State University College of Medicine School of Physician Assistant Practice in Tallahassee, Florida. He has worked as a rheumatology PA for 25 years in Thomasville, Georgia. He has served in numerous volunteer and leadership roles for PA and rheumatology organizations, including the American College of Rheumatology and the Association of Rheumatology Professionals. Ben has published and presented on clinical rheumatology, workforce, medical education and geriatrics topics. He is a 1999 graduate of the Medical College of Georgia PA program and completed additional graduate degrees at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Lynchburg.
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Laura Plantinga, PhD, joins us to discuss her recent work on the APPEAL study, which examines how lupus affects activities of daily living using patient-reported outcomes and validated measures such as IADLs, BADLs, SLAQ, and PROMIS. We explore her methodological approach, key findings, and implications for clinical practice—particularly how physicians can better support patients in managing functional limitations. Dr. Plantinga also shares insights on translating epidemiologic data into actionable strategies and maintaining scholarly productivity in academic medicine.
Laura Plantinga, PhD – Laura Plantinga, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She received her master’s in biostatistics from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and her PhD in Epidemiology from Emory University. She has >20 years of experience in epidemiologic and health services research, with a focus on improving the quality of care delivered to underserved populations with chronic diseases, particularly lupus and kidney disease. She has been funded by grants from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), among others; serves on the editorial board of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases; and is a member of the ACR/ARP Collaborative Initiative (COIN) Committee.
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