Rheumatology
The Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at Phoenix Children's Hospital offers the best comprehensive, pediatric-specific care in Arizona and the Southwest region. 
According to the Greater Southwest Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, there are 7,000 children in Arizona with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
Left untreated or under-treated, rheumatic diseases can cause disability in childhood and negatively affect a child's growth and development.
Treatment from a pediatric-trained rheumatologist gives kids the best chance because rheumatic diseases behave differently in a child's body than an adult's. And our staff only work with children, in a kid-friendly, medical home.
In 2006, Phoenix Children's hired Michael Shishov, MD, MPH, to develop an in-house pediatric rheumatology program at the Hospital. The program has grown to include a second pediatric-trained rheumatologist, Kaleo Ede, MD, and a pediatric nurse practitioner, Debra Carlin, PNP. A group of dedicated nurses, social workers and nutritionists complete the division's talented team of medical professionals. This multidisciplinary approach to treating children and families results in highly effective family-focused care.
The Division of Pediatric Rheumatology offers unique programs including a monthly Lupus Clinic. Children with systemic lupus erythematosus who have kidney disease, can see their pediatric rheumatologist and nephrologist during the same visit.
The division is also involved in clinical research studies to further advance the field.
Physicians
Michael Shishov, MD, MPH, Medical Staff Section Chief
Kaleo Ede, MD
Debra Carlin, PNP
Common Diagnoses Seen
- Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis/Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
- Polyarticular JRA/JIA
- Oligoarticular JRA/JIA
- Systemic JRA/JIA (Still’s disease)
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE, Lupus)
- Juvenile Dermatomyositis
- Juvenile Ankylosing Spondylitis (JAS, Spondyloarthropathy)
- Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis
- Hypermobility Syndromes
- Benign pain syndromes (including growing pains and fibromyalgia)
- Rheumatic Fever/Poststreptococcal arthritis
- Reactive Arthritis
- Scleroderma/Morphea
- Sarcoidosis
- Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
- Fever of unknown origin
- Recurrent fevers (Periodic Fever Syndromes)
- Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP)
- Kawasaki Disease
- Lyme Disease
- Raynaud's disease/phenomenon
- Vasculitis
- Uveitis (Iridocyclitis)
Programs and Services
Physician Services
- Diagnosis and treatment of patients with various rheumatologic illnesses
- Joint injections in the office
- Joint injections under general anesthesia
Nursing Services
- Patient/family education related to the rheumatologic illness
- Subcutaneous injection teaching
- Infusions in the clinic (Remicade, IVIG, Orencia, Cytoxan, Solumedrol)
- TB skin testing, Flu vaccinations
Additional Services
- Lupus clinic
- Social work
- Nutritionist
- Referrals to Physical and Occupational Therapy
Community Outreach
- Arthritis Foundation
- Camp Cruz
- Lupus Foundation
- Brochures for schools
- Educational brochures
Professional Outreach/Education
- Resident education and lectures
- Preceptor to medical students at University of Arizona School of Medicine
- Grand rounds
- Pediatric Update (National Pediatric Conference)
Research
- Clinical trials in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
- Vasculitis Registry Study
Affiliations
- American College of Rheumatology
- Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance
- Pediatric Rheumatology Clinical Study Group
Related health information:
Arthritis overview - from The Emily Center Family Health Library
Greater Southwest Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation
Contact us:
(602) 546-0909
