ACR on Air Podcast
ACR on Air seeks to have informative conversations rheumatology professionals want to hear – ranging in topic from trends in clinical practice, to issues affecting rheumatology professionals, and the changing landscape of the rheumatology field. Tune in bi-weekly for new interviews and commentary that are sure to empower listeners to excel in their specialty.
Podcast Host
Our host, Jonathan Hausmann, MD, is a pediatric and adult rheumatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital. He is also an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. His research interests include autoinflammatory diseases, health technology, and medical education. Connect with Dr. Hausmann on Twitter (@hausmannMD).
Episodes
New episodes will be available twice a month on Tuesdays.
Episode 96 – The Year in Preview
Episode 95 – Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Episode 94 – Caring for Older Adults in Rheumatology
Episode 93 – How to Become a Physician-Writer
Episode 92 – The Year Ahead for ACR & ARP
Browse previous episodes in the ACR on Air archive.
Episode Show Notes
In this episode, we dive into the cutting-edge advancements presented by Christopher T. Ritchlin, MD, MPH, at ACR Convergence 2024, where he shed light on the promising research set to transform the field of rheumatology. Join us as we break down key insights from one of the field’s leading experts, exploring the future of precision medicine, the role of TRBV9 cells in axSpA, the impact of sex differences on PsA, and the potential of urinary biomarkers in lupus nephritis. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on what’s next in rheumatology.
Christopher T. Ritchlin, MD, MPH – Professor Ritchlin's basic science research efforts are directed towards understanding the mechanisms that underlie pathologic bone resorption and new bone formation in psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. His team also developed a new murine translational model of PsO and PsA and they demonstrated that the decline in secondary bile acids are key events in the transition to PsA.
Professor Ritchlin is the principal investigator on several clinical trials testing the efficacy of anti-TNF agents and other biologic molecules in the treatment of psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. He directs the NIAMS Accelerated Medicine Partnership Autoimmune Inflammatory Mediated (AMPAIM) Psoriatic Disease Team focused on understanding key pathophysiology events that underlie psoriasis and PsA using advanced technologies such as single cell RNAseq and spatial transcriptomics.
Professor Ritchlin is the author or co-author of over 300 peer reviewed articles.
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!
In this episode, we explore a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. For years, pharmacologic interventions have been the cornerstone of management, but now a groundbreaking approach is emerging. John Tesser, MD, FACP, FACR, MACR, principal investigator in a pioneering study, discusses the use of an implantable device that stimulates the vagus nerve. By tapping into the body’s nervous system to reduce inflammation, this novel approach offers a promising alternative to traditional drug treatments. Tune in to learn how this innovative technology could reshape the future of rheumatoid arthritis care.
John Tesser, MD, FACP, FACR, MACR – John Tesser, MD, FACP, FACR, MACR, is actively involved in performing multiple clinical research studies, including all rheumatic diseases, emphasizing rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. He has been the principal investigator on over 600 clinical research trials. He has published over 100 articles and abstracts in peer-reviewed medical journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and Arthritis & Rheumatology. He actively serves as a speaker and consultant for many groups. Prior to joining AARA, Dr. Tesser was Chief of Rheumatology at Maricopa Medical Center between 1982 and 1992.
Related Links:
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!
In this episode, we explore the unique challenges and considerations in treating older adults, focusing on the need for a different approach to care due to polypharmacy and multimorbidity. We delve into the complexities of managing these patients, emphasizing the importance of understanding frailty—how to assess, prevent, and address it. The discussion also covers late-onset rheumatoid arthritis, its distinction from rheumatoid arthritis, and why it often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated. We introduce the 5M’s framework; a geriatric care model that helps clinicians focus on what truly matters to older adults. Additionally, we address the role of palliative care in rheumatology, highlighting its importance beyond end-of-life care, and provide guidance on shared decision-making with older adults and their families to ensure patient-centered outcomes.
Namrata Singh, MD, MSCI, FACP – Namrata Singh, MD, MSCI, FACP, is a board-certified adult rheumatologist in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Washington. Before moving to Washington, she was a faculty at the University of Iowa where she completed her Master of Science in Clinical Investigation. Dr. Singh is an "onco-geri-rheumatologist" with her research focusing on the care of patients, especially older adults, with rheumatic diseases who develop cancer or those with cancer who develop complications of cancer therapies. She is currently funded by the NIAMS K23 and the GEMSSTAR award from the NIA to build an evidence base for this patient population. Besides working on her projects, she enjoys mentoring the next generation of physicians.
Related Links:
- Advancing Rheumatologic Care in Older Adults: Highlights from the 2024 American Geriatrics Society Annual Scientific Meeting
- Frailty integration in medical specialties: Current evidence and suggested strategies from the Clin-STAR frailty interest group
- Understanding the multiple dimensions of ageing: 5Ms for the rheumatologist
- Frailty and rheumatic diseases: evidence to date and lessons learned
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!
If you're a healthcare provider or a storytelling enthusiast, you'll enjoy this episode featuring Jason Liebowitz, MD, FACR. A practicing rheumatologist and accomplished writer, Dr. Liebowitz discusses his journey toward becoming a physician-writer, how writing helps him process his experiences, and the art of storytelling in medicine, especially for a wider audience in today’s complex healthcare landscape.
Jason Liebowitz, MD, FACR – Jason Liebowitz, MD, FACR, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his rheumatology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital and was nominated for the 2019 Distinguished Fellow Award from the American College of Rheumatology. His research and writings have been published in The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, JAMA Internal Medicine, Arthritis Care & Research, and The Journal of Graduate Medical Education, among other journals. He participated in fellowships with the American Federation for Aging Research (Medical Student Training in Aging Research), the American Austrian Foundation (Max Kade Clinical Clerkship in Vienna, Austria), and the Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (through Yale School of Medicine).
Dr. Liebowitz is a co-editor of the textbooks Clinical Innovation in Rheumatology: Past, Present, and Future and Masterclass in Medicine: Lessons from the Experts and he is a co-editor of the textbook series Interdisciplinary Rheumatology. He is also a staff writer for The Rheumatologist, a periodical that reaches over 10,000 readers.
Related Links:
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!
In this episode, we get an in-depth look at the collaborative efforts driving the ACR and ARP with our guests, ACR President Carol A. Langford, MD, MHS, and ARP President Adam Goode, PhD, PT, DPT. Drs. Langford and Goode share with us their journeys into leadership, key initiatives for this year, and their vision for advancing the field of rheumatology. We’ll also discuss workforce shortages, technological advancements affecting our field, and fostering a more inclusive community.
Carol A. Langford, MD, MHS – Carol A. Langford, MD, MHS, received her MD at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1987 and trained in internal medicine at the University of Michigan from 1987–1990. She was a fellow in rheumatology at Duke University from 1990–1994, where she also received a Masters in Health Sciences in 1995. From 1994–2004, Dr. Langford was a senior investigator within the Immunologic Diseases Section of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, where her research focused on vasculitis.
Dr. Langford is director of the Center for Vasculitis Care and Research within the Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases at the Cleveland Clinic where she is also a professor of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and the Harold C. Schott endowed chair in Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases.
At Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Langford’s work has continued to focus on patient care, education, and research in vasculitis. Her main research focus has been in the investigation of novel therapies in vasculitis where she has served as principal investigator for randomized trials in granulomatosis with polyangiitis, giant cell arteritis, and Takayasu arteritis.
Dr. Langford is a member of the Editor team for Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 22nd Edition.
Throughout her career, Dr. Langford has been actively involved with the ACR. She was clinical abstract chair for the annual meeting and was part of the ACR team involved in developing tools directed toward Maintenance of Certification that sought to advance the educational goals of rheumatologists. From 2000–2005, she was Associate Editor for Arthritis & Rheumatology. She has served as Chair of the Committee on Education, co-Chair of the Membership and Awards Committee, and as a member of the ACR Board of Directors. Dr. Langford joined the ACR Executive Committee in November 2021 as Treasurer of the ACR and Rheumatology Research Foundation, leading to her becoming President of the ACR in November 2024.
Dr. Langford has been a proud resident of Cleveland, Ohio for the past 20 years where she lives with her husband Dr. Matthew Bunyard, who is also a rheumatologist.
Adam Goode, PhD, PT, DPT – Adam Goode, PhD, PT, DPT, 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.
Currently a Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Population Health Sciences at Duke University, Dr. Goode also serves as 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 is currently serving on the ARP Executive Committee as President, ACR Executive Committee and ACR Board of Directors as an Invited Guest and is Co-Chair of the Joint Membership and Awards Committee.
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!