ACR on Air Podcast

In this episode, we explore RheumCode, a groundbreaking new initiative from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) designed to build a common digital language for rheumatology. RheumCode aims to ensure that data means the same thing wherever it lives—whether in an EHR, a clinic, or a registry—enabling systems to seamlessly communicate and make better use of the medical information already being documented. We discuss how RheumCode began, the collaboration behind its development, and its potential to transform the way clinicians practice; researchers study disease, and patients experience their care.

This episode was sponsored by Pfizer.

Thomas Grader-Beck, MD, PhD – Thomas Grader-Beck, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Clinical Director of the Program to Accelerate Clinical Research Using Epic (PACE). Board certified in Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, and Clinical Informatics, his work bridges clinical medicine, autoimmune disease research, and electronic health record (EHR) innovation.

Dr. Grader-Beck has designed and implemented EHR-based tools for high-quality data capture, clinical decision support, and multi-center collaboration that enhance quality of care and research across Johns Hopkins and collaborating institutions. He is the former Director and current member of the Epic Rheumatology Steering Board, where he continues to help shape rheumatology functionality incorporated into Epic’s foundation system. His work emphasizes leveraging informatics to enhance quality of care and support large-scale registry development, with a particular focus on Sjögren’s disease.

He is a member of the American College of Rheumatology’s Registry and Health IT Committee and serves as project lead for RheumCode, a national initiative to define a core dataset for systemic rheumatic diseases. In addition, he has served as principal investigator and co-investigator on multiple industry-sponsored clinical trials and NIH-sponsored research projects in Sjögren’s disease, and has published extensively on autoimmune disease, patient-reported outcomes, and informatics-driven approaches to clinical medicine.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!

Submit Show Feedback

In this week’s episode, we dive into the ins and outs of the rheumatology musculoskeletal ultrasound certification process—what it takes to log 150 scans, meet CME requirements, and ultimately sit for the exam. We’re joined by Liudmila Kastsianok, MD, RhMSUS, FACR, who shares her insights on how ultrasound is reshaping clinical practice, from enhancing diagnostic accuracy to opening new avenues in research. We also explore how incorporating ultrasound into routine care can deepen the physician-patient relationship and improve communication. Finally, Dr. Kastsianok offers her perspective on where the field is headed and why ultrasound is becoming an essential skill for the next generation of rheumatologists.

Liudmila Kastsianok, MD, RhMSUS, FACR – Liudmila Kastsianok, MD, RhMSUS, FACR, is a physician-educator specializing in clinical operations within the field of rheumatology. Her research interests encompass a wide range of topics, including the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound in rheumatology practice, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD), rheumatoid arthritis, synovial biopsy, and improving access to rheumatology care. She helped to develop MSK US curriculum and currently serves as a co-director for MSK US clinic at the University of Colorado.

Dr. Kastsianok has completed several advanced training programs to enhance her leadership and professional skills. These include the "Fundamentals of Physician Leadership" course by the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL) in 2022, the Women's Leadership training at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus from 2023 to 2024, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training at National Jewish Health.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!

Submit Show Feedback

In this episode, we preview ACR Convergence 2025 in Chicago this October with Gregory C. Gardner, MD, MACP, Chair of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee (AMPC). We explore key topics like emerging therapies, AI in rheumatology, and highlights such as the Practice Innovation Summit, Ultrasound Conferences, and Fellows In Training (FiT) Program. Dr. Gardner also discusses highlights such as CAR T-cell therapies, new non-renal lupus guidelines, a Live Journals Club focused on Big Data and why this year’s meeting is earlier on the calendar. Tune in for a sneak peek at what’s to come!

Gregory C. Gardner, MD, MACP – Gregory C. Gardner, MD, MACP, is a rheumatologist and Emeritus professor of medicine at the University of Washington, where he previously served as Clinical Director of rheumatology and fellowship program director. He held the prestigious Bruce C. Gilliland-Lucille T. Henderson Endowed Professorship in Medicine and is affiliated with UW Medicine-Harborview Medical Center and UW Medicine-University of Washington Medical Center. Dr. Gardner earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and has over 20 years of experience treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!

Submit Show Feedback

In recognition of Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month this September, this episode explores the critical yet often underutilized role of exercise in the management of rheumatic diseases. We examine how structured movement—ranging from step counts to resistance training—can significantly alter the trajectory of pain, function, and overall disease progression. Our discussion offers practical strategies for helping patients integrate physical activity into their daily routines, with a focus on starting gradually and maintaining consistency. We also address the heightened cardiovascular risks associated with rheumatoid arthritis and how targeted exercise interventions can mitigate these risks. Finally, we delve into fall prevention tactics and the use of technology and interdisciplinary care teams to set achievable, patient-centered goals that physical therapists can effectively support.

Adam P. Goode, DPT, PhD – Adam Goode, DPT, PhD, completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Duke University in 2005 and PhD in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 2011. He joined Duke University School of Medicine as a faculty member in 2005. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Population Health Sciences at Duke University. He is the Vice Chair of Clinical Research for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and an Associate Director of the Duke Clinical Research Institute Fellowship Program. Since 2016, the NIH has continuously funded his research on musculoskeletal pain mechanisms. He has been a member of the ACR since 2010 and volunteer since 2012.

Dr. Goode has been a member of the ARP Executive Committee in 2012, 2106, and 2022, Chair of the ARP Research Subcommittee (2016-2018), member of the ACR Research Committee (2016–2018), member of the ACR Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest (2018–2021), and member of the ACR Political Action Committee (2021–2022). He is currently serving on the ARP Executive Committee as President Elect, ACR Executive Committee and ACR Board of Directors as an Invited Guest and is Co-Chair of the Membership and Awards Committee. He is originally from Beckley, West Virginia and now lives in Durham, North Carolina with his wife Lindsey Jackson and son John Robert Goode.

Linda Li, PT, PhD – Linda Li, PT, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia, where she holds the Harold Robinson/Arthritis Society Chair in Arthritic Diseases. She also serves as a Senior Scientist at Arthritis Research Canada, where she leads the Arthritis & Implementation Science Lab. Her research focuses on developing strategies to improve healthcare delivery by health professionals and to promote exercise and physical activity in people with rheumatic diseases. Dr. Li’s contributions to implementation science includes creating tools that engage people with lived experience in research, such as the development of the Citizen Science platform.

Dr. Li held a Canada Research Chair in Patient-oriented Knowledge Translation from 2014 to 2024. She received the Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) Distinguished Scholar Award in 2015 and the ARP Distinguished Educator Award in 2022.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!

Submit Show Feedback

It’s been over two decades since the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) last released comprehensive treatment guidelines for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and much has changed. In this episode, we’re joined by Lisa Sammaritano, MD, to discuss the forthcoming 2025 ACR Guidelines for the Treatment of SLE. These updated recommendations reflect a significant evolution in our approach to lupus care, from the growing range of therapeutic options to a stronger emphasis on patient engagement and minimizing steroid toxicity. We’ll dive into how the guidelines tailor treatment across diverse organ systems and patient populations, and what clinicians need to know to effectively incorporate these updates into their practice.

Lisa R. Sammaritano, MD – Lisa R. Sammaritano, MD, is a Professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, and an Attending Physician in the Hospital for Special Surgery Division of Rheumatology.

Dr. Sammaritano attended the University of Pennsylvania for her undergraduate studies, and completed medical school, internal medicine residency and rheumatology fellowship at Weill Cornell Medicine.

She has a large clinical practice focusing on SLE and APS patients; a special area of interest is pregnancy and reproductive health in rheumatic disease patients.

She has been an investigator in a number of clinical trials including the SELENA studies, prospective randomized double-blind studies of the safety of estrogen in SLE patients, and the PROMISSE study, a nationwide observational study of pregnancy risk in patients with SLE and aPL. She has written numerous review articles and chapters, edited a textbook on contraception and pregnancy in rheumatic disease patients (2014), and lectures nationally and internationally.

She led the 2020 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Management of Reproductive Health in Women with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases and is currently leading the ACR's two upcoming lupus treatment guidelines, the first on lupus nephritis and the second on general systemic lupus erythematosus.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!

Submit Show Feedback