Rheumatology Health Professionals

Dr. Rosen conducts research on the shared mechanisms of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including Sjögren’s syndrome, scleroderma, lupus, myositis, rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis. His laboratory currently focuses on two areas: defining the properties of autoantibodies that allow them to induce cellular or molecular dysfunction, and amplify injury of specific tissues in different rheumatic diseases; and understanding the mechanisms underlying the striking connections between autoimmunity and cancer, which may uncover events that drive autoimmune diseases.

Rheumatologist Named Associate Dean at Penn State College of Medicine

Barbara E. Ostrov, MD, was named associate dean for faculty and professional development at Penn State College of Medicine last fall.

Dr. Ostrov started working at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine, Penn State, in 1991. At that time, she was the second adult rheumatologist at the institution. She founded the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology and has served as division chief for pediatric and adult rheumatology. Now, there are six adult rheumatologists and a fellow, plus five pediatric rheumatologists and a fellow.

She continues her clinical work as a pediatric rheumatologist, having given up adult rheumatology in 2014. She sees children and young adults up to their mid-20s. Most of the young adults have been her patients since they were children.

Alongside her clinical work, she “develops programs to help junior, middle and full faculty reach their goals,” in her role as associate dean, she says. She says part of her job is to get “people interested and excited about the field,” says Dr. Ostrov, as well as “training in education leadership, helping researchers develop leadership in their labs.” She also works with the faculty affairs office regarding diversity and inclusion within the faculty; specifically advocating for “women, doctors of color and the disabled.”

She says part of education leader development is learning to how to balance clinical and teaching duties, and how to avoid burnout while mentoring younger faculty.

When she was an intern, she says, “the patients made me realize what a great field rheumatology was. How good it was to make a difference in people’s lives. And now it’s an amazing time to be in the field.”

Benjamin J. Smith Honored for Work on eBytes

For more than 18 months, Benjamin J. Smith, PA-C, DFAAPA, served as the scientific editor developing online, module-based courses, called eBytes, on behalf of the ARHP. The courses on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis went live on the ARHP website earlier this year. The ARHP would like to recognize Mr. Smith, who is a past president of the ARHP, for his excellent work on this project.