Ronald Falk, MD, Chair of UNC’s Department of Medicine has announced that Beth L. Jonas, MD, will lead the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology.
Leadership transitions for the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center have also been announced, made by Wesley Burks, MD, Executive Dean for UNC’s School of Medicine.
Ronald Falk, MD, Chair of UNC’s Department of Medicine has announced that Beth L. Jonas, MD, Director of UNC’s Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program will serve as Interim Chief for the Division.
“It gives me great pleasure to recognize that Dr. Beth Jonas, a consummate clinician educator with a passion for nurturing and developing physicians, will serve as interim chief for the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology,” said Dr. Falk. “Dr. Jonas has been intimately involved in the education of our fellows and medical residents and recognized for her role in developing our medical student curriculum. I know that she will serve the division well.”
Dr. Jonas graduated medical school from State University of New York–Upstate Medical University, and came to UNC in 1998 as an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Orthopedics. In 2001, she became Director of the Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program. In 2011, she became an Associate Professor of Medicine and has been highly involved in teaching rheumatology to learners at all levels, from undergraduate medical students to rheumatology fellows. Dr. Jonas has clinical interests in the evaluation and management of patients with inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and enteropathic arthritis. Effective July 1, 2017, Dr. Jonas will lead the division and its academic initiatives, overseeing the diagnostic and clinical care of its patients.
“I am honored to have this opportunity to work with all of my colleagues in the division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, where we will continue to provide excellent care to our patients with complex rheumatologic and immunologic diseases,” said Dr. Jonas. “And I remain committed to assuring that our division remains a great place to learn and practice the science and art of Rheumatology and Allergy/Immunology.”
Dr. Falk expressed his appreciation to Joanne M. Jordan, MD, MPH, Joseph P. Archie, Jr. Eminent Professor of Medicine, for fostering the continued growth of her division and the Thurston Arthritis Research Center over the past decade, as she transitions to Vice-Dean in the Office of Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development where she has served as Executive Associate Dean for the past two years.
Leadership changes for the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center were announced by Dr. Wesley Burks, Executive Dean for the School of Medicine.
Richard F. Loeser, Jr., MD, Herman and Louise Smith Distinguished Professor of Medicine, has been named Director of the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center. Dr. Loeser was previously the Center’s Director of Basic and Translational Research. Leigh F. Callahan, PhD, Mary Link Briggs Distinguished Professor of Medicine, has been appointed Associate Director for the Center. She is currently the Center’s Director of Community and Outcomes Research.
“This is an exciting time to work with the very talented investigators in our Center,” said Dr. Loeser. “Thanks to the depth and breadth of our group’s expertise, we are particularly well positioned to pursue innovative new treatments for patients with rheumatologic, allergic and immunologic diseases.”
In her role as Associate Director of the Center, Dr. Callahan will continue to mentor researchers and expand the Center’s capabilities for studying the impact of disease on patients, communities, and policy, as well as disseminate evidence-based interventions to treat arthritis and other rheumatologic conditions.