The Section of Rheumatology is a leader in providing comprehensive services for the evaluation and treatment of children with a wide spectrum of acute and chronic rheumatologic diseases. A multidisciplinary approach draws on the experience of nurse clinicians, occupational and physical therapists and other support staff.

Consultative or chronic care is provided to children with various rheumatologic diseases including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, Lyme disease, acute rheumatic fever, vasculitis syndromes,musculoskeletal pain syndromes and scleroderma. Care is coordinated with other services, such as occupational and physical therapy, ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, nutrition, and social work. The Section participates in the Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group, which enrolls selected children from the United States in trials of newer medications for various pediatric rheumatic disorders.

Through the Section’s participation in a statewide Children’s Arthritis Network, a pediatric rheumatologist also sees patients at a site in the Lehigh Valley. Another outreach site is available in Mount Laurel, NJ.
Appointments: 215-427-5051

Donald P. Goldsmith, MD
Chief, Section of Rheumatology
Professor of Pediatrics
Appointments: 215-427-5051
Office: 215-427-5051

Medical School: University of Vermont College of Medicine
Training
Residency: St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
Fellowship: St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
Staff Appointment: 1993
Special Interests: Effects of physical conditioning on functional health assessment in children with rheumatic disorders, therapeutic agents for the treatment of juvenile arthritis, diagnosis and management of Lyme disease, undifferentiated rheumatic disorders of childhood, and neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease.