Rheumatology

Rheumatology has been fortunate to have researchers in both basic science and clinical outcomes research over a quarter of a century. Understanding inflammatory joint disease and connective tissue disease including Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus has been a primary focus. Dr. M. Fritzler has been a world leader on research on auto antibodies and in particular, we are proud of his lead article in Nature on the golgi apparatus.

We have a number of successful outcomes researchers as well as a strong Clinical Trials Program. Recently, our focus has been to get the right people to the right place at the right time. This has led to the development with CHAPS (Centre for Health and Policy Studies) of a Priority Referral Score Program. We are particularly proud of our central triage program which has successfully triaged 18,000+ patients to date since 2004.

Within the McCaig Institute, we see our leading role in improving patient outcomes through a strong Clinical Trials Program which is unique in rheumatology within the musculoskeletal discipline as well as timing of the impetus for new models of care and their evaluation. We are particularly fortunate to have a strong Allied Health Team consisting of physiotherapists, nurse practitioners, nurses and social workers.

Announcement

The Arthur J.E. Child Chair in Rheumatology Research

It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Dr. John Esdaile to the Arthur Child’s Chair in clinical epidemiology and a faculty position at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Esdaile is an internationally respected rheumatologist who spearheaded the creation of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada. He has authored more than 180 publications in refereed journals, as well as over two-dozen books and book chapters. His areas of research include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus. His publication on the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in systemic lupus erythematosus is considered a groundbreaking paper that has altered the treatment of this disease for many patients. He also has a significant reputation as a mentor for many young researchers.

Dr Esdaile will begin his position on December 1, 2010. He will be in Calgary for 60% of his time and the remainder of his time will be spent in Vancouver, as he will remain as the Scientific Director of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada. He will have an adjunct appointment at the University of British Columbia. The Arthritis Research Centre of Canada will now span both British Columbia and Alberta, making arthritis research a regional effort in the west and the first disease entity to develop a provincial research collaboration.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Esdaile to the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Calgary and the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health.

Our Researchers

• Dr. Nicole Johnson
• Dr. Paivi Miettunen
• Dr. Robert Rennebohm
• Dr. Heinrike Schmeling
• Dr. Maysan Abu-Hakima
• Dr. Cheryl Barnabe
• Dr. Susan Barr
• Dr. Anne-Marie Crawford
• Dr. Steven Edworthy
• Dr. John Esdaile
• Dr. Aurore Fifi-Mah
• Dr. Avril Fitzgerald
• Dr. Marvin Fritzler
• Dr. Norma Jibb
• Dr. Sharon LeClercq
• Dr. Ray Lewkonia
• Dr. Liam Martin
• Dr. Gary Morris
• Dr. Dianne Mosher
• Dr. Chris Penney
• Dr. Paul Ryan
• Dr. Olga Ziouzina

Donation

The Institute draws on the financial support of many partners, and thanks to your donation, we are creating new hope not only for Albertans, but for people worldwide. We invite you to consider how you can help effect real change for bone and joint health.

Rheumatology News