Rheumatology
Pediatric Rheumatologists diagnose and care for kids with a variety of complex rheumatic diseases affecting the joints, muscles, bones, or organs. Our providers offer comprehensive testing and treatment for a range of pediatric rheumatologic and inflammatory disorders, such as arthritis, lupus, dermatomyositis, periodic fevers, vasculitis, and many others. Click here to meet our team!
RHEUMATOLOGY NEWS
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UNC Pediatric Rheumatology at 2025 Juvenile Arthritis Family Day
Sarkissian and Pan presented emerging JIA therapies at 2025 JA Family Day, supporting families with juvenile arthritis at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham
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Cannon Promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Laura Cannon was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Rheumatology, effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Cannon has been a faculty member in Pediatrics since August 2021. Dr. Cannon received her BS in Biology from Duke University in 2009. In 2014 she completed her medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she stayed to complete her pediatric residency in 2017. In June of 2021, she completed a Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship at the Duke University. Congratulations!
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Cannon and Rao Named Associate Program Directors for Pediatric Residency Program
We are excited to announce that Laura Cannon, MD and Priyanka Rao, MD will join the education team as Associate Program Directors. They were chosen from a pool of excellent candidates, highlighting the strength of educators in the Department of Pediatrics.
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Sarkissian Promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Aliese Sarkissian, MD, MBOE was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Rheumatology, effective June 1, 2025. Dr. Sarkissian has been a faculty member in Pediatrics since August 2018. Dr. Sarkissian received a BA in Biology from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN in 2006 and a post graduate MS in Biology from Indiana University Purdue University in 2007. She earned her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis in 2012. Dr. Sarkissian completed her Pediatric residency at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in 2015. A fellowship in Pediatric Rheumatology was completed at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in 2018. She also holds a MBOE from the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business which was earned in 2017.