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Rheumatology

Committed to the diagnosis and compassionate care of children with pediatric rheumatic diseases

The Division of Pediatric Rheumatology is committed to the diagnosis and care of children with pediatric rheumatic diseases. Our division consists of four board-certified pediatric rheumatologists. Divisional members are all actively involved in research relating to pediatric rheumatologic diseases. We educate medical students, residents and rheumatology fellows in the field of pediatric rheumatology and have an active fellowship program. We are involved in the local and national level in bettering the lives of children with chronic rheumatic diseases.

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Treatments

The Division of Rheumatology serves patients with pediatric rheumatic diseases such as juvenile arthritis, dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, sarcoid, inflammatory uveitis, periodic fevers, vasculitis, Wegener's granulomatosus, Takayasu's arteritis, Behcet's disease and fibromyalgia.

We evaluate, diagnose and treat chronic joint pain and swelling, periodic fevers, lupus and lupus-like rashes, muscle weakness with rash or calcinosis (calcium deposits in the skin/muscle) and scleroderma including linear scleroderma, morphea, and systemic sclerosis.

Treatment modalities include medical management, joint injections with sedation, intravenous therapies, physical and occupational therapy and psychosocial support.

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Physicians and Staff

Physicians

Name Areas of Special Interest
Jeffrey A. Dvergsten, MD Juvenile arthritis and dermatomyositis; systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis; research interests in pathogenesis of pediatric inflammatory diseases
Egla C. Rabinovich, MD, MPH Childhood rheumatic diseases, lupus, JRA, childhood osteoporosis, dermatomyositis, localized (linear) scleroderma, morphea, uveitis
Laura E. Schanberg, MD Pediatric rheumatic diseases, pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus, pain in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, musculoskeletal pain syndromes including juvenile fibromyalgia
Heather A. Van Mater, MD, MS Juvenile arthritis, juvenile dermatomyositis, CNS vasculitis, cost-effective treatment in pediatric rheumatology

Staff

NameRole
Kelly Anthony, PhD Psychologist
Whitney Diebolt, OTR/L Occupational Therapist
Janet Hobble, RN Nurse Clinician
Kelly Mieszkalski, MA, CPT Research Coordinator
Tara Presser, PT Physical Therapist
Sheila Rittgers, MSW, LCSW Social Worker
Sylvia Sichi, RN Nurse Clinician
Jennifer Stout Clinical Research Coordinator
Janet Wooten, RN Research Coordinator,
Nurse Clinician for Pain Clinic
Fellows
Evelyn Wu, MD  First-year fellow
Angela Robinson, MD Second-year fellow
Ed Fels, MD Fourth-year fellow
Administrative Staff
Yolande Ahmed Staff Assistant
Terry Hales GME Program Coordinator
Renee Joyner Medical Secretary
Amy Seidel Administrative Manager
Kristin J. Welsh Financial Management Analyst

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Clinic Hours and Location

Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center
Rheumatology Clinic, Second Floor
2301 Erwin Road
Durham, NC 27710
Tel: 919-664-6575
Fax: 919-684-6616

Hours:
Tuesdays, 9:30am - 5:00pm (first and third of each month)
Wednesdays, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Fridays, 8:00am - 5:00pm (first and third of each month)

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Appointments and Contact Information

To serve our patients and referring physicians, faculty physicians covering pediatric rheumatology are always on call to answer questions and provide consultation.

  • For new and return appointments, please call 919-668-4000 or 919-684-6575, option 1.
  • For urgent calls during business hours, call the divisional office at 919-684-6575 option 2.
  • For urgent calls after business hours, on weekends, or on holidays, please call 919-684-8111 and ask the operator to page the pediatric rheumatologist on call.
  • For physicians requesting consultations or making referrals, please call the divisional office at 919-684-6575, option 2, or the Duke Consultation and Referral Center at 800-MED-DUKE (800-633-3853).

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