Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology

The Virginia Commonwealth University Health System programs in Rheumatology and in Allergy and Immunology are among the oldest clinical in the USA. This unit comprises a combined division with allergy/immunology and rheumatology sections working towards the goal of improving outcomes for patients with autoimmune, musculoskeletal, allergic, mast cell, eosinophil and primary immune deficiency disorders through clinical care, research, and public service, including philanthropy.

The clinical practice in the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology is mostly in the ambulatory care setting. This division has the responsibilities for patient care and teaching in two clinical subspecialties:

• Rheumatology: Including rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in both children and adults
• Allergy and Immunology: Including asthma, allergic, mast cell, eosinophilic and primary immunodeficiency diseases

Clinical Areas

The clinical practice in the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology is mostly in the ambulatory care setting, with approximately 9,000 patient visits annually in rheumatology and 1,000 visits in allergy and immunology in the faculty practice offices located in the Ambulatory Care Center on the VCU Medical Campus.

Also, the Stony Point clinic receives approximately 1,500 visits and the Richmond VA Medical Center approximately 2,200 visits. Active in-hospital consultative practices in both subspecialties are provided at both the VCU Medical Center and the Richmond VA Medical Center.

For appointments at any of our locations, call (804) 828-9341.

Medical Education

Over 50 postdoctoral clinical fellows have trained in the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology and have gone on to distinguished clinical and academic careers. Separate tracks are offered for future clinicians, clinical investigators and laboratory investigators. In addition, through generous donations, the Division has endowed funds in the Medical College of Virginia Foundation to support one chair (Charles W. and Evelyn Thomas Chair), five professorships (Dr. Elam C. Toone, Jr., Grace Branch Moore, Charles W. Thomas, W. Robert Irby, and Taliaferro-Scott), a clinical fellowship (Charles and Evelyn Thomas) and research (Charles W. Thomas Arthritis Fund, General Herbert L. Earnest Memorial Fund, Immunology Fund, Lupus Clinic Fund and Tryptase Fund).

Journal Club and Grand Rounds

All are invited to the weekly rheumatology, allergy and immunology Journal Club and Grand Rounds, which are held at noon and 1 p.m., respectively, on Fridays in the VCU Health Sciences Research Building, second floor, room 2-204 from September through May.

Refer a Patient

At VCU Health, we take great pride in providing our patients with top-notch clinical care, coupled with cutting-edge research and academic medicine. We do our utmost to make the referral process as seamless as possible, so that your patients can get timely care and you stay up-to-date with their progress.

To Refer a Patient

From the provider's office, please send a referral fax to our Rheumatology referral fax line at (804) 956-0912. Be sure to include:

• Patient’s Name
• Patient’s Date of Birth
• Contact Information
• Reason for Referral and Clinical Question
• Appointment Date and Time (if applicable)

Please include encounter notes relevant to the referral

• Pertinent exam findings
• Laboratory tests include relevant serologic labs (ANA and other lupus serologies, RF, anti CCP, sed rate, C3, C4, CRP, CBC, renal function, CK, Urine analysis, Uric acid, ANCA etc.)
• Imaging tests: X-rays, CT scan, MRI of joints or chest if available
• If urgent appointment needed

If more information is needed, a Patient Concierge Representative will reach out to complete the referral. All referrals will be reviewed by our intake team within 5-10 business days after receiving records and your patient will be contacted to regarding an appointment.