171 Ashley Ave.
Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-1414
800-424-MUSC
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December 2006
Feature Story
State's only pediatric rheumatologist joins MUSC
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| Natasha Ruth, MD |
When Natasha Ruth was a high school student, her mom was diagnosed with a chronic rheumatologic disease called systemic scleroderma. The teen often drove from Hilton Head to MUSC with her mom for treatment.
It was an experience that would affect her career choice.
"Growing up with her, I realized how difficult these diseases are," she says. "Though rare, they can be severe and very difficult for the patients who suffer from them."
Today, Natasha Ruth is the only fellowship-trained pediatric rheumatologist in South Carolina.
"I'm sure the experience with my mom's illness influenced my decision to go into the realm of rheumatology," explains the young physician, who joined MUSC earlier this year. "Though she was the kind of mom who would be pleased just to know I'm happy, I think she'd be proud that I was doing this, in particular."
MUSC's Dr. Richard Silver was the doctor who took care of Dr. Ruth's mom until she succumbed to the disease ten years ago. As director of rheumatology and immunology, Dr. Silver oversees the adult rheumatology program and, before Dr. Ruth joined MUSC, the pediatric program. He became and has remained one of her longtime supporters, and is a big part of why she returned to South Carolina.
"I job-shadowed him in high school, and worked summers in his lab during college," says the affable physician. By her second year of residency at USC School of Medicine in Columbia, she'd decided on a career in pediatric rheumatology.
She talked with Dr. Silver about her interest in pursuing rheumatology. "He was very excited, and helped me choose a fellowship at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, which has the largest pediatric rheumatology training program in the country," she recalls.
While in Cincinnati, Dr. Ruth earned a Masters degree in biostatistics and epidemiology, and focused on clinical research.
Dr. Silver, she remembers, knew he wanted her to work with him when she finished her training. "He already had this job planned," she says. "He truly has been one of my longtime mentors."
As the primary provider of care for kids in South Carolina who have arthritis and other rheumatologic diseases, the rheumatology program at MUSC has a great responsibility. A dedicated pediatric rheumatologist was at the top of Dr. Silver's wish list.
It wasn't hard to convince Dr. Ruth to return to the Lowcountry. "South Carolina was my home, and there was a strong need for a pediatric rheumatologist in the state. Plus," says Dr. Ruth affectionately, "it was an opportunity to work with the adult rheumatology program and, specifically, Dr. Silver."
Yet the energetic doctor felt she also had strong ties with pediatricians in Columbia, where she had attended medical school and completed her residency.
"It seemed best for the children of the state for me to split my time between the two," she explains. With a dual appointment at MUSC and USC School of Medicine, she travels to Columbia once a week, making it easier for kids in that part of the state to receive treatment.
She loves the research environment in the DCRI and the adult rheumatology department, and is excited to work with Drs. Silver and Gilkeson on neuropsychiatric research involving lupus (see DCRI News Brief).
"Diseases in rheumatology -- rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) -- are rare," says Dr. Ruth. "But they exist and you need people who can take care of these patients."
Her specialty has grown tremendously in recent years, with great strides specifically in the area of JIA.
"The way that I'm able to take care of patients today is so much more advanced than even ten years ago," she notes. "With the great new treatments and medicines that have come about in the last few years, there is a very optimistic future for these patients."
It's not unusual for MUSC and USC to share doctors. "It is great, and a must that we have a collaborative effort between the two programs," says Dr. Ruth.
"Specifically for pediatric rheumatology, working together is very important," she continues. "With such rare diseases, in order to have good, solid research, we need patients from all over the region."
The two institutions working closely together toward one common goal is vital. "To improve the quality of life for children in South Carolina is top priority," says Dr. Ruth.
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