This week we discuss what a biosimilar is, why they’re causing such controversy and why they’ve taken seven years, since the FDA approved Amgevita, to come to market. We review the evidence behind the safety and efficacy of these drugs, the data from switching from a bio-originator to a biosimilar, and how the approval of the drugs may lower the health care costs and improve access to these medications. 

This week, we have the distinct privilege to interview Dr. Dan Kaster, “The Father of Autio inflammatory Diseases”. His discoveries have taught us a great deal about how the immune system works, both in health and disease. His work has contributed to finding effective treatments for conditions that previously caused significant suffering and early death. Discussions around the many autoinflammatory diseases for which he is famous are had in this episode, but we dive deeper, asking about the...

This week, our guest is Assoc. Prof. Of Medicine in Rheumatology at Loma Linda Univ. And board certified from the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine and Chair of ACR’s Government Affairs Committee, Dr. Christina Downey. Dr. Downey discusses and shares with us how to counsel and provide small and practical steps for patients to improve their wellness as well as tips on staying healthy while juggling clinical practice, administrative responsibilities and family life. We’ll learn all about...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the life of a researcher.  We’ve invited Dr. Jeffrey Sparks to share with us how he ended up as an R01 independent researcher. We’ll learn how the sausage is made, as they say, of a successful grant submission.  Jeff will share with us how he became interested in research, the skills he gained along the way, how mentors were necessary for his success, and he explains the alphabet soup of NIH grants.  He also discusses the 20 medals that he has hanging...

This week, Dr. Alfred Kim joins Dr. Hausmann for a reflective episode, highlighting memorable moments and key learning takeaways from ACR Convergence 2022, in our final episode of the year. Have a happy and healthy new year.   

Join us this week as we welcome American College of Rheumatology Master, Dr. Herbert S. Baraf who is the founder and, up until his retirement this year, managing partner of “Arthritis & Rheumatism Associates” (one of the largest private rheumatology practices in America). Today, Dr. Baraf shares with us why he went into private practice, the risks and benefits of doing so, and his invaluable lifetime experience for those looking to enter and those within private practice. Currently, Dr....

This week we invited Dr. Stacy Ardoin, pediatric and adult rheumatologist, to discuss all the challenges of ushering children into adult care and (more importantly) how to facilitate the transition. Dr. Ardoin led the American College of Rheumatology’s participation in the American College of Physicians Pediatric to Adult Care Transition Toolkit Project and has published several research studies and reviews on the topic. Today, she offers her advice, processes at her own practice, and...

Welcome to ACR Convergence 2022! Today, Dr. Vicki Shanmugam (host of ACR Journals on Air) joins Jon to tackle three, pivotal trials, that will be presented at our annual meeting this year! Join us as they dive into the objectives, the science behind them and their incredible results. You can find each one of the manuscripts discussed on this episode here: Deucravacitinib, a Tyrosine Kinase 2 Inhibitor, in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind,...

ACR Convergence 2022 is almost here, and with that, new trials, new medications and new results. We’re preparing a very HOT episode for you, to be released along with the opening ceremony at ACR Convergence 2022, this Saturday, November 12th. In this preview of Saturday’s full episode, we’ve invited host of “ACR Journals on Air” Dr. Vicki Shanmugam, to briefly discuss all the exciting science that is just a few days away! 

Excited for ACR Convergence 2022? So are we! This week Jon catches up with AMPC Chair, Dr. Sharon Kolasinski! It's been two years since we’ve gathered physically, and when we meet up at The Philadelphia Convention Center, you won’t be disappointed. Dr. Kolasinski dives into this year’s program, new features at Convergence and even the delicious dining to be had in this historic city of brotherly love. See you soon! 

In this episode we discuss how pain syndromes occur, what's happening in the brain, how to diagnose and explain these syndromes in our patients and (most importantly) how to help patients on the road to recovery. Our guest, Dr. Schubiner, has decades of experience in treating patients with these syndromes and uses randomized controlled studies to inform his approach. These studies have shown that a specific type of treatment leads to a nearly complete elimination of pain in a large majority...

During “The Great Debate” at ACR Convergence 2020, the question: “Should JAK inhibitors be started before TNF inhibitors in people with rheumatoid arthritis who failed methotrexate?” was asked. However, in 2021, results from the oral surveillance trial showed an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in cancers among patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking tofacitinib as compared to those on TNF inhibitors. These findings led to the FDA updating their black box warning on JAK...

Today, we’ve invited a clinical expert of spondyloarthritis, Dr. Maureen Dubreuil. In this episode, Dr. Dubreuil discusses how she evaluates and treats patients with this specific condition and shares with us tips and insights into how to diagnose and manage this disease. 

This week’s episode is another installment of our popular “Hot Topics” series, where we discuss “must read” studies recently published in one of ACR’s three peer-reviewed journals. Joining us is Dr. Vicki Shanmugam. Not just our guest today, but also the host of a new ACR podcast series, “ACR Journals on Air” scheduled to launch later this summer. Today, we’ll hear what we can expect from her new podcast, and we’ll talk about some of her favorite studies in the ACR’s journals right now. Enjoy! 

In this week’s episode, we discuss the "ACR’s 2022 Guideline Summary for Vaccinations in Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases" with lead author Dr. Anne Bass, Attending Physician in the Division of Rheumatology at Hospital for Special Surgery and a Professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. During our conversation we consider the importance of guidelines for vaccines, the impact certain drugs like rituximab and methotrexate have on vaccinations, cover some...

Today we’re talking about implicit bias with Dr Arin Reeves. What bias is, how it permeates our lives, how it can negatively impact our workforce, and its impact on clinical research and patient care. Most importantly, we discuss what we can do about our implicit biases to prevent them from causing damage. 

This week we welcome Dr. Alfred Kim to our show as we discuss B-Cell depleting therapies and how patients on these drugs may be more susceptible to COVID-19. During which, Dr. Kim takes us back to the beginning of the pandemic and how he and his patients initially managed the rituximab infusions, how and why people on this drug may be at increased risk of severe disease, the importance of vaccinations, and why they may not work for this patient population. Finally, we finish with Dr. Kim...

Today’s episode is all about mental health for today’s healthcare professionals with our guest, Dr. Hanna Zembrzuska. She is a psychiatrist and rheumatologist and is a clinical assistant professor at The University of Iowa, holding appointments in the depts of internal medicine and psychiatry. We discuss everything from what burnout is, strategies to prevent/overcome it, the importance of having a sense of control within your medical practice and how to establish boundaries to coaching and...

Today, in this episode, we’ll discuss the new “2021 Guideline for the Management of Kawasaki Disease”, the mysterious triggers that cause KD, the use of therapies such as IVIG, steroids, infliximab, anakinra, and compare multisystem inflammatory disease in children, or MIS-C (a condition very similar to Kawasaki Disease that is triggered by SARS COV-2). Joining us today is Dr. Mark Gorelik, lead Author of the “2021 Guideline for the Management of Kawasaki Disease”. He’s an assistant professor...

In this episode, Dr. Kim Steinbarger, PT, MHS, DHSc, Asst. Professor at Husson University, and Talitha Black, an occupational therapist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), help us clarify some common misconceptions about exercise for people with rheumatic diseases. We’ll discuss tips and strategies to increase physical activity for people of all ages, explore who would benefit from physical or occupational therapy. We’ll discuss bracing, taping, and other strategies that people may use...

Today we interview Dr. Mary-Ann Fitzcharles, a Rheumatologist in Montreal, Canada who specializes in pain management in rheumatic diseases and explore cannabis as a pain management option 

Recently, ACR released two treatment guidelines for JIA. One updating pharmacologic management and another for non-pharmacologic therapies. We have lead author, Dr. Karen Onel, taking us through a deep dive on these, in an episode close to Jon's heart

Pregnancy and reproductive health have long been hot topics in the rheumatology community. Lisa Sammaritano, MD and Whitney White, PharmD, BCPS joined our host to discuss three research articles moving conversations forward on pregnancy and lactation in rheumatic disease patients.  Tough Choices: Exploring Medication Decision-Making During Pregnancy and Lactation Among Women With Inflammatory Arthritis. ACR Open Rheumatology.  Improving Knowledge of Lactation Compatibility of Antirheumatic...

In this episode of ACR on Air, we reach the final installment of our vasculitis guideline miniseries. Dr. Hausmann is once again joined by Dr. Sharon Chung, lead author of the 2021 ACR/VF guidelines for managing systemic vasculitis, to discuss Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN). Dr. Chung weighs in on CTA over MRA for abdominal vascular imaging, and blind biopsy. Dr. Hausmann and Dr. Chung examine various patient scenarios for PAN symptoms and why they would meet the criteria for data testing.