University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is home to Iowa’s only pediatric rheumatologists—doctors with the training, expertise, and experience to treat children and young adults with rheumatic diseases.
Education
Our division provides rheumatology teaching to undergraduates, medical students, residents, and fellow physicians.
Be sure to read about our latest education news on our Director’s Blog, which also features pediatric rheumatology education content.
A Faculty-focused Academic Medical Center
UI Health Care faculty enjoy defined academic time, plus benefits like doubling your retirement contribution. With a short commute and low cost of home ownership, it's no surprise we attract the best academically trained providers.
Research
The Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology has a long and rich history of research aimed at bettering the lives of children.
Research into the cause of these diseases is essential and our team of physicians is recognized nationally and internationally for their research expertise.
Research interests include:
- Autoinflammatory disorders
- Sjögren syndrome
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, localized scleroderma and uveitis.
Learn more about our research on our Director’s Blog.
Division Investigators and labs
Labs
Investigators
- Polly Ferguson, MD: Research interests include Genetic Aspects of Inflammatory Disorders.
- Sandy Hong, MD: Research interests include evaluation of B Lymphocyte Stimulator in Children with Rheumatic Disease, MRI Findings in Pediatric Patients with Spondyloarthropathy, and Health Related Quality of Life Measure in Pediatric Lupus.
- Scott Lieberman, MD, PhD, MS: Research interests include the role of T cells in the initiation of lacrimal and salivary gland autoimmunity characteristic of Sjögren disease.
Recent Division Publications
All of our division are involved in research. Several of our faculty are research focused, devoting significant portions of their professional time to research endeavors. However, impressively, even our clinically focused faculty continue to help drive important research progress in our field.
Clinical Care
Rheumatic diseases refer to a wide range of disorders that, in general, affect the joints, muscles, spine, and skin. These diseases may present with pain, swelling, morning stiffness, fever, or rash. Pediatric rheumatic diseases result from uncontrolled inflammation during which the body’s immune system attacks or hurts its own healthy cells and tissues. Examples include:
- Autoinflammatory syndromes including periodic fever syndromes and chronic non-infectious osteomyelitis (CRMO)
- Dermatomyositis
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Localized and systemic scleroderma (hard skin and other tissues)
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (commonly known as lupus or SLE)
- Uveitis
- Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)
Our doctors, nurses, and medical staff understand that pediatric rheumatic diseases are chronic, complex disorders that can severely affect a child’s growth, development, and quality of life. Early and proper diagnosis is key to treating symptoms and managing the disease.
Trust—from our young patients and their parents—is important. We work with our families’ referring health care providers, and we collaborate with other UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital specialists, therapists, and other staff as needed—drawing on the research, technology, and expertise available at one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals. We also strive to make sure that families are comfortable, informed, and confident about the care their child receives.
Learn more about our rheumatology services and clinics.
Learn more about The Allergy and Immunology Clinic.
Rheumatology
Clinical Faculty Nurse Practitioners
Allergy, and Immunology
Other Team Members
- Tara Bergland, PharmD
- Molly Evans (office support)
- Cathy Figueroa, RN
- Cortney Greiner, RN
- Marissa Kettman, RN
- Tina Winch, RN
Rheumatology Conditions we see include, but are not limited to:
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (commonly known as lupus or SLE)
- Scleroderma (“hard skin”)
- Dermatomyositis (muscle inflammation)
- Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)
- Autoinflammatory syndromes, including periodic fever syndromes and chronic non-infectious osteomyelitis (bone infection)
Allergy and Immunology conditions we see include, but are not limited to:
- Asthma management and education
- Hay fever
- Nasal and sinus problems
- Recurrent infections
- Family history of immune system problems
- Known or suspected primary immune deficiency
Latest Division News
Teamwork saves 4-year-old from life-threatening allergic reaction
Persistence leads to diagnosis of ultra-rare disease
Polly Ferguson, MD
Division Contact Information
University of Iowa Stead Family Department of Pediatrics
Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology
200 Hawkins Drive
2857 John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP)
Iowa City, IA 52242
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