The Pediatric Rheumatology Staff at UCLA
Deborah McCurdy, M.D.
Dr. McCurdy is the head of the pediatric rheumatology department at UCLA as well as the fellowship program director. She received her medical degree from the Hahnemann University School of Medicine and trained in Pediatric Rheumatology at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. She has been practicing pediatric rheumatology for twenty years. She is heavily involved in the education of fellows, residents and medical students. In addition to her clinics at UCLA-Westwood campus, she also holds clinics at UCLA Harbor and will be starting a clinic at Olive View as well. Dr. McCurdy also organizes the monthly "Lupus Clinic" at UCLA in conjunction with Dr. Ora Yadin of the pediatric nephrology department at UCLA.Her research interests include DNA repair in systemic lupus erythematosus and candidate genes in the pathogenesis of JRA and SLE.
Kerry Gallgaher, M.D.
Dr. Gallagher received her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She was trained in Pediatrics and Allergy/Immunology at UCLA, and completed her fellowship in Pediatric Rheumatology at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. Her research area of interest includes osteoporosis prevention in pediatric rheumatic diseases. Dr. Gallagher plays a vital role in the education of fellows, residents and medical students at UCLA.
E. Richard Stiehm, M.D.
Dr. Stiehm served as the Chief of the Allergy and Immunology department at UCLA until 2003. He is one of the head editors of the major textbook in Pediatric Immunology, Immunologic Disorders in Infants and Children. Dr. Stiehm has a special interest in children with rheumatic diseases and has been treating patients since 1963. He also contributes to the education of fellows, residents and students at UCLA.
Alice Chang, M.D.
Dr. Chang will be completing her pediatric rheumatology fellowship at UCLA in December of 2007. She began as the first pediatric rheumatology fellow at UCLA in 2004. Dr. Chang received her medical degree from Northwestern University, and completed her Pediatric training at UCLA. She is currently involved in translational research in the recognition of novel autoanitbodies in the pathogenesis of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus.
Kaleo Ede, M.D.
Dr. Ede is a third-year pediatric rheumatology fellow at UCLA. He completed his medical school at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. His residency was in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the Phoenix Hospitals Program in Phoenix, AZ. He is conducting research in the pathogenesis and autoantibody production in the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, as well as developing a transition care clinic for pediatric rheumatology patients
Ornella Rullo, M.D.
Dr. Rullo is a second-year pediatric rheumatology fellow at UCLA. She attended medical school at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. She completed her residency in pediatrics at Cedars-Sianai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She is doing research in immune system dysregulation and genetics in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus.
Kathleen O'Neill, RN, MSN
Ms. O’Neil is the Pediatric Rheumatology CCS Clinic Co-ordiantor at UCLA. She graduated from Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA with a BSN in nursing. She went on to receive her MSN from the Oregon Health Sciences in Portland, OR. Her duties at the CCS clinic include assisting patients in co-ordination of all of their care for outside referrals, prescriptions, follow up appointments, and education. Her outside interests include soccer, capoeira, cycling, traveling.
Lana K. Wohlschlegel, MSW
Lana is the Clinical Social Worker for Outpatient Pediatric Rheumatology patients. She completed her Master of Social Work Degree at San Diego State University. Lana provides assessment, consultation, counseling, referral, and advocacy, relative to support systems and coping mechanisms for children and their families with Special Care Center Rheumatological conditions.
Rona Silverstein, OTR/L
Rona Silverstein is an occupational therapist who has been practicing for 14 years since graduating from the occupational therapy program at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. With a variety of experiences, Rona currently works with the Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic since its inception, consulting and advising parents and their children on how to maximize their potential in the area of self care, school and leisure activities. In addition to this, Rona works in the Rehab Services Department, an outpatient setting, and sees both general pediatrics and the adult population with neurological disorders.
Susan Chin, PT
Susan Chin is the consulting physical therapist for the Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic sponsored by the California Children Services. She received her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy through Boston University. After working four years in Boston, she is currently working at UCLA Medical Center's Outpatient Rehabilitation Services seeing both pediatric and adult patients.
Denise Perkins, Authorization Coordinator
Ms. Perkins coordinates with the Pediatric Rheumatology team to determine Center Care eligible patients and submit new referrals to CCS. She helps to verify insurance coverage and request authorizations for medical procedures and laboratory tests for new and established CCS patients. She also helps to request authorizations for drug refills and telephone prescriptions to pharmacies. Additionally, she performs other administrative duties: update and file medical records; arrange, coordinate and monitor appointments, assist in patient referrals, perform phone follow-up with patients and their case workers; record and deliver messages; and handle coding and billing for the CCS team conference.
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