Getting to Know Natasha Ruth, MD, MS: New Division Directors Committee Chair

As the first academic pediatric rheumatologist in South Carolina, Natasha M. Ruth, MD, MS, started the first pediatric rheumatology program in the state back in 2006. Today she holds several leadership roles in her pediatric practice at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, including professor of pediatrics, division chief and program director of pediatric rheumatology and co-director of the Program on Physician Well-Being in the Department of Pediatrics.

Dr. Ruth

Dr. Ruth is proud of her role in growing pediatric rheumatology care throughout South Carolina. Her state now includes eight pediatric rheumatologists and two professor emeritus pediatric rheumatologists who teach fellows. 

“I would never have been able to build our program at MUSC or help build my state’s pediatric rheumatology care without the support of so many mentors,” Dr. Ruth shares with The Rheumatologist. The mentors who helped her build her career have inspired her to do the same in her latest volunteer role as chair of the ACR Division Directors Committee. She sees this role as a continuation of her ongoing work with related committees for the ACR. Here’s more about Dr. Ruth and her plans for leading the Division Directors Committee in the year ahead.

The Rheumatologist (TR): Why were you interested in becoming chair of the Division Directors Committee?

Dr. Ruth: Early in my career, I had significant support from the division director of adult rheumatology at my institution. In the development of the program, I enticed one of my mentors—who was my fellowship director at a large children’s hospital—to join me in Charleston. With his expertise, our division grew, and we were able to start a pediatric rheumatology training program.

I also had support from other pediatric rheumatology division directors in other states with more established programs. I would like to share the knowledge I have gained over the years with other division directors, especially new division directors. I want to give back. I would like to share strategies that have been successful in helping me grow my division in the areas of clinical care, research, education and advocacy.

TR: What is the purpose of the Division Directors Committee?

Dr. Ruth: The Division Directors Committee serves as a resource to the ACR on matters related to academic rheumatology. We also identify best practices for structuring academic adult and pediatric rheumatology divisions. Updating, analyzing and disseminating data related to divisions is an important part of the committee’s work, including metrics such as the state of faculty, trainees and leadership in academic divisions of rheumatology on an annual basis. Further, the committee develops rheumatology mentoring programs and resources, provides a community for division directors within the ACR with an annual communications plan, and proposes and organizes subcommittees and taskforces to carry out its objectives.