penn relapsing polychondritis program
The Penn Relapsing Polychondritis 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.
CLINICAL CARE
The Penn Relapsing Polychondritis Program offers many different clinical care opportunities and resources for our patients.
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Medical Management
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Laboratory Tests
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Diagnostic Tests
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Audiology evaluation
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Radiological evaluations
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Nerve conduction tests
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Pulmonary function tests
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Physical therapy
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Diagnostic and therapeutic interventions
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Laryngoscopy
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Bronchoscopy
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Tracheal- Bronchial
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Stenting
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Dilatation
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Gastrointestinal procedures
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Endoscopy
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Colonoscopy
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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, MS
Naomi Amudala, CRNP
You will be evaluated by members of our multispecialty team as appropriate:
OPHTHALMOLOGY
RADIOLOGY
Michelle Hershman, MD
Nirali Bhatt, MD
PULMONOLOGY
Andrew Haas, MD, PhD
David DiBardino, 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

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