Penn Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) Program

The Penn Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) Center is a multidisciplinary program that provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for patients with this highly complex and serious disease. We are one of the few academic centers in the world that both sees many patients with this rare disorder to provide outstanding personalized clinical care, and conducts research to advance our understanding of the disease and work towards developing better treatments. We have a unique research program that combines the strengths of the Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and the Relapsing Polychondritis Foundation.

Patients seen at the Penn Relapsing Polychondritis Center will initially be evaluated by one of our expert Rheumatologists and, as necessary, subsequently referred to one of several other medical specialists with specific interests in this disease.

jump to more info about Relapsing Polychondritis clinical care

 

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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.

Rheumatology

Peter Merkel, MD, MPH
Shubhasree Banerjee, MD
Rennie Rhee, MD, MSCE
Naomi Amudala, CRNP

Radiology

Michelle Hershman, MD

Pulmonology

Andrew Haas, MD, PhD
David DiBardino, MD

Ophthalmology

Nirali Bhatt, MD

Otolaryngology

Kevin Leahy, MD, PhD
Natasha Mirz, MD
Oren Friedman, MD

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

Research

rpresearch

As a patient in the Penn Relapsing Polychondritis Program, you will have the opportunity to participate in our currently enrolling relapsing polychondritis studies. Explore our studies and find information on how to become a participant.