Rheumatology Center
Richmond University Medical Center’s Division of Rheumatology aims to provide comprehensive and compassionate multi-disciplinary care for patients with a wide array of autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases.
Learn more about the Rheumatology Center and contact us today to schedule an appointment.
What is a Rheumatologist?
Rheumatology is a sub-specialty of internal medicine and pediatrics. The American College of Rheumatology defines a rheumatologist as, “an internist or pediatrician who received further training in the detection and treatment of musculoskeletal disease and systemic autoimmune conditions commonly referred to as rheumatic diseases which affect the joints, muscles, and bones causing pain, swelling, stiffness and deformity.”
For more general information about rheumatology, please visit the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) website at: www.rheumatology.org/rheumatologist
Conditions We Treat
There are over 200 rheumatologic diseases which affect the lives of millions of people in the United States. The Richmond University Medical Center’s Division of Rheumatology provides the highest level of care for patients afflicted with conditions including, but not limited to, the following:
- Osteoarthritis
- Soft tissue pathology (tendonitis, bursitis)
- Crystalline Arthritis (Gout, Pseudogout)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
- Systemic Sclerosis
- Vasculitis
- Myositis
Services Provided
Depending on your needs, our division will provide various services. On an initial visit, the rheumatologist will review your medical history, prior testing, current symptoms, and perform a careful physical examination. Based on these data and subsequent testing, the treating physician will prescribe treatments guided by the latest medical research. Given the multi-systemic nature of many rheumatologic diseases, our team will often coordinate care with subspecialists as needed – including physical therapists, occupational therapists, orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists, nephrologists, pulmonologists, neurologists, cardiologists, dermatologists, OBGYNs, and ENTs– in an effort to work toward the common goal of improving an individual patient’s quality of life!
We also offer specific services including:
- Point of Care (POC) Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
- Ultrasound-guided aspiration of joint/tendon/bursa
- Ultrasound-guided injection of joint/tendon/bursa
When Should I See the Rheumatologist?
Autoimmune diseases are often complex conditions in which the body attacks itself through inappropriate activation of the immune system. This inappropriate inflammatory response can lead to damage to joints, tendons, muscles, or organs like the heart or lungs. Rheumatologic diseases can, therefore, be present in a multitude of ways including: fevers, joint pain, joint swelling, rashes, hair loss, and muscle weakness, vision changes – or even heart attacks and shortness of breath!
Here are some reasons to see a rheumatologist:
- You have unexplained joint pain and/or joint swelling.
- You have been diagnosed with a rheumatic disease
- You have a family history of autoimmune diseases
- You have been told you have positive blood tests that indicate you may have an autoimmune disease
Meet the Team
Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Dr. Daniel DeMizio obtained his undergraduate degree in biology, summa cum laude, at the College of New Jersey. He was later inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society while a medical student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. DeMizio subsequently completed his internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and his rheumatology fellowship training at Columbia, where he stayed on as faculty as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. While on faculty at Columbia, Dr. DeMizio served as the Director of the Vasculitis Center, and as the Rheumatology Course Director for the 2nd Year Medical Students, 4th Year Medical Students, and Internal Medicine Residents.
Dr DeMizio has since returned home to Staten Island, where he was appointed Chief of Rheumatology at Richmond University Medical Center. In this capacity, Dr DeMizio continually strives to provide the highest quality care for patients with rheumatologic disorders and remains very involved with teaching medical trainees.
Dr. DeMizio’s particular academic interests include vasculitis, medical education, and musculoskeletal ultrasound. He has given numerous lectures at the local and national levels and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in areas such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, and gout.
