Penn Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) Program

PATIENT PHONE LINE: 215-662-4333

FAX: 215-349-5703

EMAIL: rheumatologyresearch@uphs.upenn.edu

The Penn Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) Program, led by Dr. Shubhasree Banerjee, is dedicated to providing expert, personalized care for patients living with relapsing polychondritis, a rare and complex autoimmune disease. As one of the few academic centers worldwide specializing in this disorder, we offer comprehensive evaluation and treatment through a multidisciplinary team approach.  Patients are initially evaluated by one of our rheumatologists and, if necessary, referred to physicians in multiple other subspecialties in a coordinated patient-centered manner. 

Our program is uniquely positioned to deliver outstanding clinical care while advancing scientific knowledge. By combining the strengths of the Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC), the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation, we conduct cutting-edge research aimed at understanding the disease better and developing improved therapies.

Clinical Care

The Penn Relapsing Polychondritis Program offers many different clinical care opportunities and resources for our patients. 

  • Medical Management

  • Laboratory Tests

  • Diagnostic Tests

    • Audiology evaluation

    • Radiological evaluation

    • Nerve conduction tests

    • Pulmonary function tests

  • Physical therapy

  • Diagnostic and therapeutic interventions

  • Laryngoscopy

  • Bronchoscopy

  • Tracheal-Bronchial

    • Stenting

    • Dilatation

  • Gastrointestinal procedures

    • Endoscopy

    • Colonoscopy

  • Cosmetic procedures

Patients with confirmed or suspected relapsing polychondritis (RP) can call 215-662-4333 to make an appointment with one of our RP specialists.

Please have previous records of medical history available either at the appointment or faxed to 215-349-5703.

Meet the Team

Rheumatology

Peter Merkel, MD, MPH

Shubhasree Banerjee, MD

Rennie Rhee, MD, MSCE

Naomi Amudala, CRNP

Ophthalmology

Nirali Bhatt, MD

 
Otolaryngology

Kevin Leahy, MD, PhD

Natasha Mirza, MD

Tiffany Hwa, MD

 

Pulmonology

Andrew Haas, MD, PhD

David DiBardino, MD

Research

As a patient in the Penn Relapsing Polychondritis Program, you will have the opportunity to participate in our currently enrolling relapsing polychondritis studies. If you are interested in learning more about a study, please email rheumatologyresearch@uphs.upenn.edu.