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You are here: Home / Author: Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD

Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD

Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD, was born and raised in eastern Kentucky, where she first cultivated her love of literature, writing and personal narratives. She attended Kenyon college, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, summa cum laude. She worked with individuals with psychiatric conditions and later in a neuroscience lab at the University of Illinois, Chicago, before graduating from Indiana University Medical School in 2011. Instead of pursuing clinical medicine, Ruth opted to build on her strength of clearly explaining medical topics though a career as a freelance medical writer, writing both for lay people and for health professionals. She writes across the biomedical sciences, but holds strong interests in rheumatology, neurology, autoimmune diseases, genetics, and the intersection of broader social, cultural and emotional contexts with biomedical topics. Ruth now lives in Bloomington, Ind., with her husband, son and cat. She can be contacted via her website at ruthjessenhickman.com.

Articles by Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD

What We Know about COVID-19 in 2023: Variants, Vaccines, New Therapies & More

March 16, 2023 • By Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD

Although a less central focus than it was three years ago, rheumatologists must still consider the prevention and management of SARS-CoV-2 in their patients. The following update shares ongoing considerations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Outcomes At the beginning of the pandemic, it was unclear whether patients with rheumatic disease would be at higher risk… [Read More]

Long COVID: Experts Weigh in on Increasingly Common Syndrome

March 16, 2023 • By Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD

A minority of patients experience lingering symptoms after infec­tion with SARS-CoV-2, similar to some other previously known post-infection syndromes. Although we are just beginning to understand the differ­ent presen­tations, pathophysiology, risk factors, prognosis and treatment of long COVID, rheumatologists can play a leader­ship role in managing patients with the illness and contributing to this important research… [Read More]

ACR Releases New Vaccination Guideline

March 6, 2023 • By Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD

The ACR recently released its first guideline focused on vaccination in adult and pediatric patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.1 The guideline recommends modifications to certain vaccine and medication schedules to increase immunogenicity and ensure patient safety, while encouraging providers not to miss vaccination opportunities. The Need Patients with rheumatic conditions who are on immunosuppressive… [Read More]

Lost and found

A Look Back at the First Use of Cortisone in Rheumatoid Arthritis

January 17, 2023 • By Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD

In 1949, the first description of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) given cortisone sent shockwaves through the medical community, quickly capturing the public imagination as well. The paradigm-shifting report paved the way for the use of cortisone and related drugs in RA and many other medical conditions.1 The following is a discussion of some of… [Read More]

Telehealth Brings Opportunities to Enhance Patient Care

December 8, 2022 • By Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD

During an ACR webinar in August, presenters discussed multiple aspects of telehealth in rheumatology, especially related to rheumatology fellowship training. They agreed that although telehealth represents one potential avenue to improve patient access to treatment for rheumatic disease, we must keep identifying the best ways to employ telehealth to enhance care. Impact of Pandemic Telemedicine… [Read More]

The Complexity of SLE Drug Research

December 6, 2022 • By Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD

PHILADELPHIA—On Saturday, Nov. 12, at ACR Convergence 2022, Joan T. Merrill, MD, director of clinical projects in the Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Program at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City, gave a presentation on the future of drug development and treatments for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). She described how an in-depth understanding of… [Read More]

Evolution of Medicare’s Merit-Based Incentive Payment System: MIPS Value Pathways

December 1, 2022 • By Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD

In November, the CMS finalized 12 MIPS Value Pathways (MVP) in the Quality Payment Program, including a rheumatology MVP. In 2023, clinicians can opt to report via traditional MIPS, the rheumatology MVP or both.... [Read More]

New Findings for Polymyalgia Rheumatica & Osteoarthritis

December 1, 2022 • By Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD

The Plenary III Session reviewed the results of the SAPHYR trial of sarilumab in PMR patients, as well as the WE-CAN study on the impact of a community-level diet & exercise program on knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.... [Read More]

Phase 2 Trial Results for Sjögren’s Syndrome & SLE Presented in 2nd Plenary Session at ACR Convergence 2022

November 28, 2022 • By Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD

PHILADELPHIA—At the second Plenary Session of ACR Convergence on Sunday, Nov. 13, speakers shared compelling efficacy and safety results from two phase 2 trials: remibrutinib for Sjögren’s syndrome and deucravacitinib for moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus. Remibrutinib in Phase 2 Sjögren’s Syndrome Trial Thomas Dörner, MD, a professor of rheumatology and clinical immunology for… [Read More]

Options for Refractory Gout, ILD & More

November 18, 2022 • By Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD

PHILADELPHIA—At the first Plenary Session of ACR Convergence 2022, on Saturday, Nov. 12, speakers shared key research findings on the efficacy and safety of methotrexate as a co-therapy with pegloticase in refractory gout, the effectiveness of rituximab and cyclophosphamide in connective tissue disease associated-interstitial lung disease and the value of remote education for primary care… [Read More]

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