Duke University Names Dr. Megan Clowse to Lead Rheumatology Division

Dr. Clowse

In October 2023, Megan E.B. Clowse, MD, MPH, a renowned expert in the field of rheumatology and immunology, was named the new chief of the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology at Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, N.C. Dr. Clowse, who serves as an associate professor of medicine in Duke’s Division of Rheumatology and Immunology and the Department of Population Health Sciences, says the new appointment comes during a significant realignment within the health system.

“We’re working toward optimizing the Division of Rheumatology within this new framework,” she says. “In addition, we’re striving to build collaborations between our providers, advanced practice providers and researchers to expand the work we’re doing. We’re looking to build on the success of the Duke Lupus Clinic, where a team of doctors and researchers works closely to turn clinical experience and data into discovery. Many of our faculty want to build similar teams to breach the gap between clinic and research.”

Dr. Clowse says the division is also looking at increasing its educational offerings. “We already have an established fellowship program for advanced practice providers in rheumatology, which is unique, and we’re looking at ways to expand those offerings,” she says.

One of the ways Duke is addressing the rheumatology workforce shortage is by connecting with medical students earlier. “We have a lot of great educators on our faculty, which is allowing us to partner with medical students and residents very early in their training. We also have third-year medical students who spend a good quantity of time conducting research with us,” Dr. Clowse says. “We’re very involved in internship and residency rotations and have found that by interacting with students earlier, we’re increasing the number of medical students and residents who are interested in pursuing a career in rheumatology.”

Duke is also working to recruit more diverse rheumatology providers. In a program, funded in part by a Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity award from the Arthritis Foundation, Lisa Criscione-Schreiber, MD, MEd, professor of medicine and vice chair for education in the Department of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, is educating medical students and providers about inclusive practices in rheumatology, while also recruiting more students from under-represented groups in medicine.

Improving Pregnancy Outcomes

Over the past two decades, Dr. Clowse has established a reputation as an international expert in how rheumatic diseases affect pregnancy. She’s the founder and director of the Duke Autoimmunity in Pregnancy Clinic, and has created two websites, LupusPregnancy.org and ReproRheum.Duke.edu, to assist rheumatologists in providing care to pregnant women with rheumatic diseases.