Synovial Biopsy, Synovium, Synovial Fluid & Arthrocentesis
About H. Ralph Schumacher, Jr., M.D.
H. Ralph Schumacher, Jr., MD is Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and former Chief of Rheumatology at the VA Medical Center, Philadelphia. He has been studying all aspects of the synovium, synovial fluid and crystal deposition disease for more than 45 years. He is preparing this resource to make his educational material widely accessible and to encourage dialogues on these subjects. As noted in the CV, he is author of scientific papers, books, and many reviews and editorials. His work has addressed clinical aspects, light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology and physiology of the joint.
Dr. Schumacher's CV is available online: HRS CV
Schumacher garden, December 1991.
Colchicum autumnalis, Fall 1985 in the Schumacher garden.
H. Ralph Schumacher in an ancient medical theatre in Padova, Italy.
H. Ralph Schumacher playing basketball in Taipei during sabbatical, 1981.
Schumacher garden patio, Spring 2008.
Rheumatology Section party, Schuamcher house, June 1991.
Gilda, and others, at our Rheumatology Section party, June 1991.
Dr. Schumacher and team assisting a turtle!.
Schumacher in China.
Some Life Lessons that I See Suggested from My Electron Micrographs:
REACH OUT
This synovial macrophage is reaching out with dramatic processes to enfold a lymphocyte. EM, 7500X..
STICK TOGETHER
Platelets sticking together are occluding synovial vessel. Multilaminated basement membrane seems to suggest a wrapping. EM, 5000X.
COOPERATE
Activated lymphocytes and adjacent plasma cell with rough endoplasmic reticulum cooperate in stimulation and antibody production. EM, 25,000X..
DEPART FROM THE ROUTINE
Very unusual pericyte processes depart from the routine and extend through venule endothelial gaps, EM, 10,000X..
HUG
Multiple "arms" from this synovial cell enfold a process from another cell. EM, 30,000 X.
TAKE ACTION
This intraluminal leukocyte is degranulating in a vessel wall injured by dense deposits of presumed immune complexes, EM, 6,000X.
BE FLEXIBLE
The large cell with profuse polyribosomes is a lymphoblast transformed from a small lymphocyte. EM, 20,000X.
TRY TO HEAL
A vessel has been destroyed and is beginning to be replaced by a fibrous scar. EM, 6,000 X.
BE A BIT MYSTERIOUS AND NOT AFRAID TO BE PUZZLED
What is going on in this cell? EM, 28,000 X.
BE PRODUCTIVE
This mast cell produces histamine and other vasoactive substances to act on the adjacent vessel. EM, 10,000 X.
BAND TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE
Thin and unusual thick synovial collagen. EM, 10,000 X.
Click Here to See the Opening Lecture at ACR 2009
Click Here to See Article in VA Newsletter, Summer 2011, featuring Dr. Schumacher
Click Here to See Article in The Rheumatologist, Jan. 2010 featuring Dr. Schumacher
See an article in Traditional Garden, April, 2015 featuring the Schumacher garden, "Colorful Terraced Garden in Pennsylvania. When even pros couldn’t salvage a dismal yard, a Pennsylvania couple created a glorious garden oasis."
Click here to link to article in Traditional Home April 2015
ODE TO RALPH
By Joan Von Feldt, MD
On occasion of my completing 4 years as Acting Chief of Rheumatology at Penn
We once had Ralph as our chief
Whose purpose was giving us grief
He complained of the budget
And asked Andy to fudge it
Accusing Ed Holmes as the thief
Why a limerick composed in tribute?
Then you’ve missed HRS’s repute
He commemorates an exit
With poetry and dry wit
His sarcasm triggers dispute
Our faculty meetings – so unique!
They were scheduled every fourth week
The agenda was memos in a pile
Reducing the stack took a while
Ending when discussion would peak
Ralph’s shelves are stacked really high
With more papers than stars in the sky
Of ideas he’s fathered
And works he has authored
Achievements no one can deny
Renowned internationally
He travels across every sea
Gaining lots of congrats
Recruiting fellow lab rats
To work cheaply in our country
Pretty women would turn his head
But his eyes would fill with dread
As the vocal amongst us
Would raise a big ruckus
If he didn’t do as we said.
The garden parties were renowned
Showcasing what he and Liz found
On their overseas jaunts
Stones, gazebos or font
Centered in a flowering mound
With charting he takes great care
But notes – his technique is quite rare
Jots on bits and scraps
An on sandwich wraps
It drives us to pull out our hair
While chief you started a journal
Of rheumatic diseases internal
Reviewing original works
Rewarded with kudos and perks
Creating a chaos infernal
Thanks for your 4 year tenure
Directing and guiding our future
We’re glad you’re still staying
Though chief you’re not playing
Now free to do research so pure
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