Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology
The Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology includes board-certified physicians and nurses who evaluate children for rheumatologic, allergic, and immunologic disorders, as well as adults for allergic and immunologic disorders. We provide multidisciplinary, personalized care to patients both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) is recognized nationally for leadership and innovation, and we incorporate the latest advances into our care for every patient. We focus on empowering the children we treat and their families to be active participants in managing their health. We are committed to educating the next generation of outstanding allergists/immunologists and rheumatologists by offering the finest training to fellows, residents, and medical students.
Allergy and Immunology
The allergy and immunology section treats patients with asthma, food allergy, rhinitis/hay fever, drug reactions, hives, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, chronic sinusitis, angioneurotic edema/dwelling syndromes, anaphylaxis, insect allergies, latex allergies, eosinophilic esophagitis, and immunodeficiencies. We have specialized programs for children with food allergies and immunodeficiencies.
- Our goal is to work toward the development of new therapeutics and best practices for the care of patients with food allergies. We evaluate all types of food-allergic patients, including documented or suspected food allergies, formula intolerance, and allergic gastrointestinal disorders including eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases such as eosinophilic esophagitis. We offer the latest diagnostic and treatment options.
- Through our New York State Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) Program newborn screening program we identify newborns with SCID at the earliest possible time. And our specialized program in primary immunodeficiency is devoted to using state-of-the-art measures to diagnose and treat infants and children with all congenital immunodeficiencies.
Members of the Natural Killer Cell Evaluation and Research Clinic (NEAR) conduct research to understand the underlying causes of natural killer (NK) cell deficiency diseases. Specialists in pediatric immunology, allergy, and rheumatology provide outpatient consultations to infants, children, and adults with suspected NK cell deficiency diseases and other primary immunodeficiency diseases. We offer diagnosis, evaluation, testing, and access to research studies.
The rheumatology section provides care to thousands of children with rheumatic and autoimmune diseases including arthritis, myositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and vasculitis. We work collaboratively with many other specialists and staff at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital to care for patients with the most complex conditions.
We have particular expertise in diagnosing and treating children and adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome. Through our specialized rheumatology program in pediatric amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome we develop an individualized, comprehensive, and patient-centered treatment plan for each patient with these conditions.
Our academic faculty are nationally and internationally recognized clinical experts in the care of children with allergy, immune-related, or autoimmune-related diseases. In addition, NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital is a referral center for other children’s centers and we have the resources and staff to care for the most complex patients. Our physicians chair numerous national committees, participate and create patient registries, author numerous publications, and participate on editorial boards and scientific advisory boards. Our faculty are sought-after media experts and have shared their insights recently on media outlets including "The Dr. Oz Show," WINS-AM radio station, Daily News, and Time.com.
We provide consultative inpatient and outpatient expertise for initial diagnoses, second opinions, immunologic and autoimmunologic testing, genetic testing, as well as expert medical care. Our initial comprehensive evaluation includes a thorough patient history, physical examination, and detailed review of previous records and test results.
To test for an array of clinical conditions our allergists and immunologists perform allergy skin testing, immunoglublin E testing, food challenges, patch testing, pulmonary function testing, and rhinoscopy for patients with chronic nasal symptoms. Depending on the condition, we may perform additional specialized procedures, laboratory testing, and consultation with specialists in other fields such as gastroenterology, pulmonology, hematology-oncology, bone marrow transplantation, and genetics. Treatment options may include counseling on environmental measures, traditional subcutaneous immunotherapy (“allergy shots”), and newer sublingual (under the tongue) immunotherapy. Our rheumatologists work together with patients and families to create comprehensive diagnostic and treatment plans.
We have offices at multiple locations, including Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital on Broadway and W. 168th St; 51 West 51 St; Riverdale; East 72nd St; North Broadway in White Plains; and Staten Island.
The division is involved in several areas of research and participates in clinical trials, most actively in the causes, mechanisms, and treatment of asthma, allergies, food allergies, juvenile arthritis, and primary immune deficiencies. Our physicians have published in top-tiered journals including New England Journal of Medicine, The Journal of the American Medical Association, The Lancet, Up-to-Date, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and Journal of Clinical Investigation. Investigators in our program have received support from the National Institutes of Health and other organizations for more than 20 years.
The Allergy and Immunology Fellowship, a joint program between the Department of Internal Medicine and the Department of Pediatrics, leads to certification by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology.