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 99 – The Role of AI in Rheumatology’s Workforce Challenges
Episode 98 – Emerging Therapies for IgG4-Related Disease
Episode 97 – Diabetic Myonecrosis
Episode 96 – The Year in Preview
Episode 95 – Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Browse previous episodes in the ACR on Air archive.
Episode Show Notes
In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of AI in rheumatology—exploring how it's already reshaping workflows, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, optimizing treatment selection, and helping us monitor patients remotely. We tackle big questions around bias, control over critical data and whether we're truly ready to let AI serve as our assistants—or even gatekeepers. From addressing workforce shortages to revolutionizing medical research and education, we examine both the promise and the pitfalls of this powerful technology, and why caution must guide its integration into our clinical decisions.
Jeffrey R. Curtis, MD, MS, MPH – Jeffrey R. Curtis, MD, MS, MPH, is a distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he holds the Harbert–Ball Endowed Professorship. Board-certified in both rheumatology and clinical informatics, he brings extensive training from institutions including Harvard, Stanford, and Oregon Health & Science University. He directs multiple research units at UAB, including the PharmacoEpidEmiology and phaRmcoeconomics (PEER) Unit and the Musculoskeletal Digital Health and Technology Laboratory. Dr. Curtis is internationally recognized for his work in comparative effectiveness and safety of treatments for rheumatic diseases, leading several large-scale NIH- and PCORI-funded initiatives, including the UAB-FASTER DAC and the PatientSpot research registry. He has spearheaded major clinical trials, such as the COVER trial during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has contributed to national guideline committees for the FDA, CDC, and ACR. A prolific researcher with over 700 publications and an H-index of 100, Dr. Curtis continues to innovate in digital health, real-world evidence generation, and the integration of big data with AI in rheumatology.
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In this episode, we dive into the complexities of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), a mysterious and multi-organ condition that continues to challenge both patients and physicians. John Stone MD, MPH introduced us to the emerging landscape of treatments for IgG4-RD, and today, Matthew C. Baker, MD, MS, joins us to provide an exciting update. With new therapies on the horizon, we explore the role of B and T cell pathogenesis, the limitations of traditional steroid treatments, and the off-label use of rituximab. We also take a closer look at the promising results from the Mitigate Trial, which offers hope for future strategies in managing this enigmatic disease. Join us as we discuss the evolving treatment landscape and what lies ahead for those affected by IgG4-RD.
Matthew C. Baker, MD, MS – Matthew C. Baker, MD, MS, is the Associate Division Chief in the Division of Immunology and Rheumatology at Stanford University and the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Stanford Multidisciplinary Sarcoidosis Program. He received his bachelor's degree from Pomona College, his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, and his master's degree in Epidemiology and Clinical Research from Stanford University. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital and his Rheumatology fellowship at Stanford University. Dr. Baker has established a clinical research program that is focused on clinical trials, epidemiological studies, and bench-to-bedside translational research. He has designed and led investigator-initiated, and industry sponsored clinical trials with a focus on IgG4-related disease, sarcoidosis, Sjögren's syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.
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In this episode, we dive into a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of rheumatology: complications from diabetes that can mimic rheumatic diseases. Elena Schiopu, MD, kicks off the discussion by shedding light on diabetic myonecrosis, a painful muscle condition that can be easily mistaken for other rheumatic disorders. We then explore scleroderma, a skin-thickening muscle disorder that resembles systemic sclerosis (SSC) but has distinct underlying mechanisms. Dr. Schiopu shares invaluable insights on how to approach complex rheumatology consults in the hospital, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful diagnostic reasoning. She also discusses why sometimes the best approach in medicine is to avoid unnecessary tests and treatments, prioritizing patient care and accuracy in diagnosis.
Elena Schiopu, MD – Elena Schiopu, MD, is the Director of Clinical Trials for the Division of Rheumatology. She graduated from “Gr.T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Romania and did her medical training at Robert Wood Johnson medical school in New Jersey to Wayne State University in Detroit, after which she became faculty at University of Michigan in the Scleroderma Program, Director of the Myositis Program and the Rheumatology Lead for the combined Oncology-Rheumatology Initiative in immune checkpoint inhibitors. Her clinical research includes the first randomized controlled trial in myositis (RIM trial) and developing outcome measures in Scleroderma (CRISS) and Myositis (TIS), StopRA, photoacoustic imaging in Rheumatic structures. She currently serves in the scientific committee of the International Myositis Assessment & Clinical Studies Group (IMACS), and was a member of the University of Michigan IRB, the University of Michigan Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA) on the President’s and Provost’s COVID-19 Faculty Council in 2020, and the first rheumatologist to mentor a team from the University of Michigan Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) Graduate Innovative Design in Biomedical Engineering course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
She is a passionate educator and among others, she was honored by the University of Michigan Learning Environment Task Force (LETF) for her exemplary work in cultivating and upholding a positive learning environment for U-M Medical School students (2017), and received the Dean award in 2019 as an MD PhD candidate switched his residency application from Ob-Gyn to Medicine after working with her. She is an advisory member of the Scleroderma Foundation, The Myositis Association and Sjögren’s Foundation and feels privileged to be part of the greater Augusta medical community.
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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.
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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.
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