Rheumatology
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Clinical research aims to optimize the treatment |
Pediatric Rheumatology diagnoses and treats children with autoimmune disorders, including juvenile arthritis, lupus, myositis, scleroderma and various vasculitides. A variety of treatment options is available from intra-articular corticosteroid joint injections to newer biologic agents that target inflammatory cytokines. Laboratory research in the division covers basic mechanisms of T lymphocyte function. Clinical research aims to optimize the treatment of juvenile arthritis through diverse projects.
Division contact:
Kim Jerkins, Administrative Supervisor
kjerkins@uabmc.edu
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m–4:30 p.m.
Office and Appointments: 205-638-9438
Fax: 205-638-2875
After hours, weekends and holidays:
Contact the hospital operator at 205-638-9100 and ask to page the rheumatology physician on call.
Clinic and Infusion Suite Location:
1601 4th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233
Parking:
Our clinic is located in Children's Park Place with free parking. The parking deck can be entered from either the corner of 16th Street and 5th Avenue or 17th Street and 5th Avenue. For questions about parking or special needs, call 205-638-9200.
Printable Written Driving Instructions (PDF)
Referring Physicians
Contact the clinics for available appointments. Referral Form
History
The Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Children's of Alabama was created in 2007 in response to a great need for pediatric rheumatic care in the state of Alabama, the largest state population without a pediatric rheumatologist at the time. A partnership between UAB Children's , the local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and the greater Birmingham community helped to establish new clinic space, the creation of an endowed chair in Pediatric Rheumatology, and ongoing support for the growth of the division. The division maintains strong ties with the local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and the Adult Rheumatology division at UAB.
Our staff includes five clinical faculty members and four pediatric rheumatology nurse practitioners with ongoing recruiting efforts to expand the physician-scientist base of the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology. Overriding goals of the division are to:
- provide state of the art care to all children with rheumatic disorders in Alabama and surrounding states
- conduct well-funded cutting edge research in the basic, clinical and translational sciences as they relate to rheumatology and immunology
- educate the medical and lay communities in Alabama regarding diagnosis and management of pediatric rheumatic diseases
- train additional pediatric rheumatologists to further populate the southeastern United States via an ACGME-accredited Pediatric Rheumatology training program
