Lupus and APS Center of Excellence
Access to world-class, patient-centered medical care, research, support and education
The goal of the Lupus and Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) Center of Excellence is to provide the highest quality of care to enhance our patients’ lives. Lupus and APS are autoimmune diseases that are highly variable from patient to patient and unpredictable over the course of any one patient’s life. We are here to help you manage your illness by providing individualized care and support to meet your specific needs.
Expertise in the most challenging areas
- Complex cases - our rheumatologists and interdisciplinary team work closely with specialists in other medical disciplines including nephrology, obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology, psychiatry, neurology, cardiology, hematology/oncology, and pain management.
- Lupus nephritis - a serious and relatively common complication of SLE that requires an integrated approach and collaboration from multiple departments and specialties. View our Lupus Nephritis Program
- Pregnancy - mothers with lupus are at a higher risk to develop complications. Specialized care, education and precautions can lead to a successful birth. View our Reproductive Health Program
- APS - blood clots from APS can lead to life threatening complications like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, heart attacks and strokes. HSS is a leading center for APS research and treatment.
- Unspecified disease - those who have too many symptoms, not enough symptoms, or abnormal blood tests with no symptoms can be left undiagnosed or untreated without help from an experienced rheumatologist.
- Pediatric rheumatology - young children and teenagers affected by lupus and APS are treated by pediatric specialists until they reach the age where they can transition to adult care.
Lupus and APS Center videos
Director of the Center, Jane Salmon, MD discusses the Center's mission and goals in a quick one-minute video.
HSS Rheumatologist, Lisa Sammaritano, MD talks about reproductive health issues facing women with lupus.
Lupus Center Fast Track Appointment
Please call us at 877.SLE.CURE (877.753.2873) for help booking an appointment. For non-urgent requests or questions please email us.
Physicians and Staff
Our HSS lupus and APS specialists have decades of experience caring for patients, compassionately applying their knowledge to each individual under their care. They coordinate care with specialists in other fields to help manage a patient's whole health status. Combining research advances from HSS scientists and other researchers with deep clinical expertise enables us to provide a tailored, evidence-based approach. Our non-clinical staff provides programming, education and support, while the research coordinators enable patients to partner with us in the pursuit of better medical outcomes.
Physicians
Kyriakos A. Kirou, MD, DSc, FACP - Rheumatology
Joseph A. Markenson, MD - Rheumatology, Internal Medicine
Jane E. Salmon, MD - Rheumatology
Mary K. Crow, MD - Rheumatology
Medha Barbhaiya, MD, MPH - Rheumatology
Doruk Erkan, MD, MPH - Rheumatology
David R. Fernandez, MD, PhD - Rheumatology
Kyriakos A. Kirou, MD, DSc, FACP - Rheumatology
Lindsay S. Lally, MD - Rheumatology
Michael D. Lockshin, MD - Rheumatology
Carol A. Mancuso, MD, FACP - Rheumatology
Joseph A. Markenson, MD - Rheumatology, Internal Medicine
Stephen A. Paget, MD, FACP, FACR - Rheumatology
Lisa R. Sammaritano, MD - Rheumatology
Research Scientists
Lionel B. Ivashkiv, MD
Franck Barrat, PhD
Theresa T. Lu, MD, PhD
Alessandra Pernis, MDRheumatology Fellows
Nilasha Ghosh, MD
Amit Lakhanpal, MD
Sebastian Sattui-Cortes, MD
Caroline Siegel, MD
Melanie Smith, MD
Linda Yue, MD
Diane Zisa, MD
Nurses
Julius Bugante, RN
Deenolise Carrasco, LPN
Michelle Gomez, RN
Ann Marie Rakowicz, RN
Julieta Reyes-Canu, RN
Nikki Sembrano, RN
Multispecialty Collaborating Physicians
Specialist physicians who are interested in participating in the Multispecialty Panel are welcome to contact the Lupus & APS Center to discuss the role and requirements. Patients contacting a physician for referral services are advised to verify that the physician participates with their health insurance prior to making an appointment.
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.5558
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.5555
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.5555
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.5555
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 212.861.3222
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.3376
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.3376
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.3376
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.3376
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 212.517.7570
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 212.737.5000
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 212.249.3720
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 212.439.9547
Hospital for Special Surgery
P: 646.962.2700
Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Blood Disorders
P: 646.962.2065
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.8747
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 212.746.3146
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 212.746.3064
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 212.746.3440
The Rogosin Institute,
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
P: 212.746.4761
The Rogosin Institute,
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
P: 212.746.1556
Weill Cornell Medical Center
P: 646.962.9800 Option: #3
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.4900
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.4297
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.2020
Weill Cornell Medical Center
P: 646.962-2333
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.2333
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 212.746.6455
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.7499
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.3836
Weill Cornell Medical College
P: 646.962.3638
Lupus and APS Center Staff
Department of Social Work Programs
Juliette Kleinman, LCSW ACSW - Senior Social Work Manager, Rheumatology
Juliette Kleinman, LCSW ACSW
Juliette Kleinman, LCSW ACSW is the Senior Social Work Manager, Rheumatology. She is responsible for the supervision and strategic direction of social work services in the Hospital’s Rheumatology Private and Ambulatory Care Center, including adult rheumatology social work and VOICES 60+ Senior Advocacy Program. Ms. Kleinman has a specialty in social work practice in gerontology and health disparities with many years of experience working in the community, private and non-profit sectors. Ms. Kleinman received her Master of Social Work degree from New York University Silver School of Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds memberships in the Academy of Certified Social Workers, National Association of Social Workers, National Society on Aging, and Society of Social Work Leadership in Healthcare. She was a past chair of, and held leadership positions in, the East Side Council on the Aging. Ms. Kleinman has presented the VOICES 60+ program model at local and national conferences.
Jillian Rose, PhD, MPH, LCSW - Director of Community Engagement, Diversity and Research
Jillian Rose, PhD, MPH, LCSW
Since August 2005, Ms. Rose has occupied a leadership position in managing rheumatology programs at HSS, with a focus on two national peer support and education programs for people with systemic lupus and their families. Ms. Rose and her team provide psychoeducation to patients and support for the medical team in several hospitals across New York City. She also coordinates outreach to diverse populations disproportionately affected by lupus to improve access and follow up to medical care. Ms. Rose collaborates with other health care organizations and government agencies to lead the implementation of innovative community programs that enhance health, access to care and self-efficacy for traditionally underserved communities. She provides ongoing leadership and support in race, ethnicity and language, as well as LGBT hospital-wide initiatives through the development of appropriate tools and evaluation processes, and collaboration with other department leadership. She participates in research and quality initiatives to identify and address any health disparities to insure the highest quality care for all patients.
Priscilla Toral, LCSW - Program Manager, LupusLine® and Charla de Lupus (Lupus Chat)®
Priscilla Toral, LCSW
Priscilla Toral, LCSW, is the Program Manager for LupusLine® and Charla de Lupus(Lupus Chat)® programs, national peer based support and education programs for people with lupus and their loved ones. She is responsible for the planning and operational oversight for program initiatives, training and supervision of program staff and volunteers, initial screening and psychosocial assessment and social work intervention with patients and their families. Ms. Toral also provides direct support as needed upon referral from Rheumatology adult and pediatric social workers, and other health team members regarding program services. Ms. Toral received a Master of Social Work degree from the Columbia University School of Social Work and has an extensive background working with the pediatric asthma population of East Harlem. Ms. Toral’s professional interests include psychosocial aspects of coping with chronic illness, patient education and advocacy.
Giselle Rodriguez, LCSW - Program Coordinator, Charla de Lupus (Lupus Chat)®
Giselle Rodriguez, LCSW
Giselle Rodriguez, LCSW is the Program Coordinator for the Charla de Lupus (Lupus Chat)® Program, a support and education program for people with lupus with an emphasis on Spanish-speaking communities. She coordinates all aspects of the program including the Teen, Young Adult and Parent Support Group, which takes place on a monthly basis. Ms. Rodriguez also provides support, education and resources to patients both in person at the HSS Pediatric and Rheumatology clinics and over the phone. Ms. Rodriguez received a Master of Social Work degree from Hunter Silberman School of Social Work. Ms. Rodriguez’s special interests include managing chronic illnesses, health care equality, patient-centered care and research.
Eliza Ngan-Dittgen - Senior Program Associate, LANtern® (Lupus Asian Network)
Eliza Ngan-Dittgen
Eliza Ngan-Dittgen, BA is the Senior Program Associate of LANtern® (Lupus Asian Network). LANtern® is the only national hospital-based bilingual support and education program dedicated to serving Asian Americans with lupus and their families. Eliza’s roles include providing direct patient support, developing community-based education programs for both patients and professionals, building collaboration capacity with community service providers, and conducting community outreach efforts. Eliza was a former Peer Health Educator of LANtern®.
Lupus and APS Clinical Research Coordinators and Assistants
Sophia Loo – Lupus & APS Registry and Repository Coordinator (Dr. Jane Salmon)
Marta Guerra – IMPACT & PROMISSE Project Coordinator (Dr. Jane Salmon)
Jeffrey Zhang-Sun – Clinical Research Coordinator (Dr. Kyriakos Kirou & Dr. Mary Crow)
JoAnn Vega – Clinical Research Coordinator (Dr. Medha Barbhaiya, Dr. Doruk Erkan & Dr. Michael Lockshin)
Lupus and APS Articles and Education
The article links below are intended for those who have symptoms, have been diagnosed or have complications from lupus, lupus nephritis or APS. For professional health education, please see the Research & Professionals tab (on this page) and the HSS Education Institute.
Managing Lupus
Managing APS
Related Symptoms and Conditions
Pregnancy and Reproductive Health
Emotional Well-being and Health Support
Wellness and Prevention
Additional Resources
Webinars and Recorded Events
- Lupus, Dietary Factors and the Microbiome (from October 8, 2020) featuring Medha Barbhaiya, MD, MPH and Randy Longman, MD, PhD (Download slides)
- Lupus and COVID-19: Emerging Research Findings (from June 24, 2020) featuring Sebastian Sattui Cortes, MD, MS, Medha Barbhaiya, MD, MPH, Jillian Rose, PhD, MPH, LCSW
- Living Healthy During COVID-19 (from May 16, 2020) featuring Michael D. Lockshin, MD
- Lupus and COVID-19 Livestream (from April 23, 2020) featuring Mary K. Crow, MD and Jane Salmon, MD
- Patient Participation in Medical Research for Lupus (from Nov 14, 2019) featuring Kyriakos Kirou, MD, DSc, FACP
Annual Events
- Lupus Awareness Month - May
- World Lupus Day - May 10
- Walk to Cure Lupus - October
See all of our community events and classes.
Lupus and APS Support Programs
Having access to high quality medical care and resources for social, emotional, and other support can empower you to care for yourself and improve the quality of your life. We offer the following resources and programs to patients and their families:
- Lupus Support Programs and Social Work Services - free for patients and their loved ones
- Lupus Nephritis Program
- Physical Therapy Services
- Occupational Therapy Services
- Rheumatology Clinic - medical care for patients with public health insurance or no insurance
- Rheumatology Reproductive Health Program
If you have any questions about our lupus and APS programs or are a new patient looking for care email us.
Lupus and APS Research
Scientists and clinicians at HSS are constantly working to advance understanding of the causes of disease and develop novel treatments for lupus and APS. In partnership with our patients, significant progress has been made.
Presentations (see our Webinars and Events tabs for more)
- Lupus and COVID-19 Emerging Research - Watch video | View slides
- Patient Participation in Medical Research for Lupus - Watch video
Our research efforts
You can also participate in our observational studies and clinical trials:
Patients have the right to stop participation in a research study at any time. If you would like to obtain more information or to see if you qualify for a study or trial, contact 1.877.SLE.CURE.
Professional Education
Grand Rounds: Management of Complex Cases: this publication profiles highly complicated cases at HSS in full detail with follow-up data and a discussion on clinical treatment.
- November 2020 | Volume 9, Issue 2 | Rheumatology Issue
- October 2018 | Volume 7, Issue 3 | Rheumatology Issue
- March 2017 | Volume 6, Issue 3 | Rheumatology Issue
Journal Articles and Publications: published articles on PubMed
HSS Professional Newsletters: Subscribe to Rheumlink, our professional rheumatology newsletter
Lupus Newsletter - Sign up
Subscribe or view the quarterly newsletter.
LupusMinder® Mobile App
The LupusMinder app was developed by HSS to track medications, daily symptoms and appointments. Visit hss.edu/lupusminder.
