Rabheh Abdul Aziz MD, MS

Rabheh Abdul Aziz

Rabheh Abdul Aziz
MD, MS

Clinical Associate Professor

Department of Pediatrics

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Pediatric Rheumatology; Pediatrics

Contact Information
UBMD Pediatrics
Division of Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology
1001 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: (716) 323-6240
Fax: (716) 323-6671
rabhehab@buffalo.edu


Patient Care

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD


Professional Summary:

I diagnose, and care and advocate for, children with rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus, juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), vasculitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. I have particular expertise in JDM. I am careful and thoughtful in my approach to my patients who have chronic, complex rheumatologic diseases, because these illnesses have major effects on all aspects of my patients’ lives. My goal is to meet the complex needs of my patients and their families by working to control disease activity, preserve normal physical, social and emotional growth and development, minimize chronic disability and deformity and achieve disease remission. I understand the everyday difficulties families of children with rheumatic diseases often encounter, and I help them cope with the challenges of hospitalization, frequent outpatient visits and long-term treatment that includes injectable medications. I educate my patients and their families as much as possible, to help foster cooperation and compliance with my care.

I also customize my patients’ care by paying special attention to the psychosocial aspects of illness that can negatively influence adapting to chronic rheumatic diseases: e.g., depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance. I coordinate a team of health care professionals in rheumatology, physical therapy, occupational therapy and psychology to address these coexisting conditions with my patients and their families. Additionally, I support families as they make teachers and other school personnel aware of their children’s daily needs.

My research focus is JDM. My goal is to understand its etiology and why its manifestation is different from one patient to another. Another goal is to advance physicians’ ability to diagnose and care for patients with rheumatologic disease—research that will ultimately make a difference in patients’ quality of life. Medical students, residents and fellows are welcome to work with me on research projects.

I work with pediatric residents during their monthlong elective in rheumatology, teaching them how to diagnose and treat rheumatic disease. I also work with immunology fellows during their rotation in rheumatology. I help them develop an understanding of the presentations, natural history and complications of rheumatologic conditions in children. I also help trainees better understand autoimmunity and biologics—particularly, the mechanisms of how biologics work and how they are applied in patient care.

Education and Training:

  • Fellowship, Pediatric Rheumatology, Ohio State University (2016)
  • MS, Medical Science, Ohio State University (2016)
  • Residency, Pediatrics, Damascus University (2005)
  • MD, Medicine, Damascus University (2000)

Employment:

  • Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2021-present)
  • July 2016-present Medical Director, Rheumatology Service, Department of Pediatrics, Oishei Children’s Hospital, Buffalo, NY (2016-present)
  • Attending Physician, Rheumatology, Oishei Children's Hospital (2016-present)
  • Clinical Director, Rheumatology, Oishei Children's Hospital (2016-present)
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2016–2021)
  • Pediatric Specialist, Ministry of Health Hospital (2005–2010)
  • Volunteer Pediatrician, Damascus Country Side (2005)

Awards and Honors:

  • Recognition of journal reviewer (2022)
  • Recognition of journal reviewer (2021)
  • Recognition of preceptor (2021)
  • University at Buffalo Office of Inclusion and Cultural Enhancement: Faculty Award of Excellence for Promoting Inclusion and Cultural Diversity (2020)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Pediatric Resident Teacher of the Year (2019)
  • Damascus University: Top 20 Medical School Students (2000)
  • Damascus University: Student Exchange Program with Egypt (1999)

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • June 2021–June 2022
    Similarity and different between Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS)
    Rheumatology Research Foundation
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $4,000
  • March 2020–August 2020
    Outcome of serologically active clinically quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus in children
    Rheumatology Research Foundation
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $4,000
  • September 2018–November 2019
    Efficacy, Safety, Tolerability, Immunogenicity and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of HYQVIA in Pediatric Subjects with Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
    Baxalta US Inc.
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • June 2019–August 2019
    Utility of Muscle Ultrasound at Flares and Remission of Juvenile idiopathic inflammatory Myositis
    Rheumatology Research Foundation
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $2,000
  • June 2018–August 2018
    Infection at Time of Presentation and During the Course of Juvenile Dermatomyositis
    Rheumatology Research Foundation
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $2,000
  • June 2018–August 2018
    Lyme Arthritis on the Uptick in Western New York Area
    Rheumatology Research Foundation
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $4,000
  • May 2015–April 2017
    Complement C4 in Disease Risk and Pathogenesis of Juvenile Dermatomyositis
    Cure JM Foundation
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $50,000

Journal Articles:

See all (12 more)

Books and Book Chapters:

  • Abdul Aziz R, Spencer C. (2017) In: "How to Diagnose and Treat Juvenile Dermatomyositis". Nova Science Publishers, 31-60.

Abstracts:

  • Zhou D, King E, Rothwell S, Kryštufková O, Notarnicola A, Coss S, Abdul Aziz R, Miller K, Dang A, Yu R, Drew J, Lundstrom E, Pachman L, Mamyrova G, Curiel, Paepe B, Bleecker J, Payton A, Ollier W,O'Hanlon T, Targoff I, Flegel W, Sivaraman V, Oberle E, Akoghlanian S, Driest K, Spencer C, Wu Y, Nagaraja H, Ardoin S, Chinoy L, Rider L, Miller F, Lundberg I,Padyukov L,Vencovský J, Lamb J, Yu C. (2022) Intricate Roles of Low Gene Copy Numbers for Complement C4, C4A Deficiency and HLA-DRB1*03 as Genetic Risk Factors for Myositis, Its Subgroups and Autoantibodies. ACR Convergence 2022,. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Nov) Poster
  • Costich M, Abdul-Aziz R, Huang Y, Tarsi S, Waz WR, Wu X. (2022) A Case Report on a Successful Treatment of Profound Proteinuria in a Pediatric Patient with Membranous Nephropathy Secondary to Systemic Lupus Erythematous. ESPR/AFMR 1st Annual Eastern Medical Research Conference, March 12, 2022. (Mar)
  • Martone GF, Liu L, Wu X, MD, Abdul-Aziz R. (2022) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with grade IV Lupus Nephritis in a 4-year-old. ESPR/AFMR 1st Annual Eastern Medical Research Conference, March 12, 2022. (Mar), (P122)
  • Saper V, Prahalad S, Canna S, Abdul-Aziz R, et al. (2021) 1Effect of Drug Withdrawal on Interleukin-1 or Interleukin-6 Inhibitor Associated Diffuse Lung Disease. . Abstract Number: 1629. https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-drug-withdrawal-on-interleukin-1-or-interleukin-6-inhibitor-associated-diffuse-lung-disease/. ACR Convergence virtual meeting. November 9, 2021, ACR Convergence virtual meeting. November 9, 2021. (Nov), (1629) Poster
  • Masoud R, Brown T, Hays A, Abdul-Aziz R. (2020) When I’m Back on My Feet Again. Clinical Conundrum E-Poster, Pediatric Hospital Medicine, 2020, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Jul) Poster
  • Masoud R, Jeelani W, Agbor Agbor B, Hennon TR, Wrotniak BH, Abdul Aziz R. (2020) Response to Treatment with Intra-articular Triamcinolone Hexacetonide and Triamcinolone Acetonide in Oligo-articular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol, (Jan)
  • Abdul Aziz R, Spencer CH, Bout-Tabaku S, Yu CY, Adler B, Lintner KE, Moore-Clingenpeel M. (2016) The Role of Muscle MRI in Detecting a Flare-up of Juvenile Dermatomyositis. Arthritis Rheumatol, (Sep)
  • Abdul Aziz R, Christman A, Jones K, Ardoin SP, Bout-Tabaku SM. (2014) Pre-Visit Planning and Quality Improvement in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol, (Mar) S210-S210

Professional Memberships:

  • American Academy of Pediatrics (2013–2016)
  • Pediatric Rheumatology Care and Outcomes Improvement Network (2013–2016)
  • American College of Rheumatology (2013–present)
  • Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (2013–present)
  • Saudi Council of Health Specialists (2000–2010)
  • Syrian Association of Pediatrics (2000–2010)

Presentations:

  • "Skin Findings in Patients of Color with Rheumatic Disease" Oishei Children’s Hospital: Pediatric Grand Rounds (2022)
  • "Follow-up and Management of Serologically Active Clinically Quiescent Cases in Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus" 3rd Annual Celebration of Scholarship (2021)
  • "Utility of Muscle Ultrasound at Flares and Remission of Juvenile Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis" 3rd Annual Celebration of Scholarship (2021)
  • "Follow up and Management of Serologically Active Clinically Quiescent Cases in Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus" Annual Conference; Eastern Society for Pediatric Research (2021)
  • "When I’m Back on My Feet Again" Pediatric Hospital Medicine 2020 Virtual; Society of Hospital Medicine (2020)
  • "Lyme Arthritis in Children on the Uptick in Western New York Area" Online Research Day; University at Buffalo (2020)
  • "Response to Treatment with Intra-Articular Triamcinolone Hexacetonide and Triamcinolone Acetonide in Oligo-Articular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis" Online Research Day; University at Buffalo (2020)
  • "Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Macrophage Activation Syndrome: What a Combination!" Pediatric Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo (2020)
  • "Response to Treatment with Intra-Articular Triamcinolone Hexacetonide and Triamcinolone Acetonide in Oligo-Articular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis" Pediatric Rheumatology Symposium; American College of Rheumatology; Abstract 67 (2020)
  • "Complete Renal Recovery in Patient with a Rare Kidney Disease: A Case Report of C3GN" Annual Conference; Eastern Society for Pediatric Research; E-ESPR2020: 339 (2020)
  • "Renal Involvement and Its Treatment in Pediatric Patients with PR3 ANCA Positive Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA)" Annual Conference; Eastern Society for Pediatric Research; E-ESPR2020: 340 (2020)
  • "Lyme Arthritis in Children on the Uptick in Western New York Area" Pediatric Research Conference; University at Buffalo (2019)
  • "Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis" Charity Walk; Linda Basta Memorial Foundation (2019)
  • "Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis" Charity Walk; Linda Basta Memorial Foundation (2018)
  • "Juvenile Dermatomyositis" Rheumatology Workshop for Pediatric Residents; University at Buffalo (2018)
  • "Periodic Fever and Autoinflammatory Syndromes" 1st Year Medical Student Lecture; University at Buffalo (2018)
  • "Pediatric Rheumatology Overview" Immunology Fellow Lecture; Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2017)
  • "What You Need to Know about SLE and KIA" Pediatric Resident Lecture; Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo (2017)
  • "What Unusual Kidney Disease Would You See in Lupus?" Research Day; University at Buffalo (2017)
  • "Cell-Bound Levels of Complement Activation Products on Erythrocytes E-C4d and E-C3d May Reflect Disease Complications of Juvenile Dermatomyositis" Global Conference on Myositis (2017)
  • "Low Gene Copy Number of Total C4 and Complement C4A Deficiency Are Strong Genetic Risk Factors for Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies of European Ancestry" Global Conference on Myositis (2017)
  • "Periodic Fever" 1st Year Medical Student Lecture; University at Buffalo (2017)
  • "IMC516: Fever and Auto Inflammatory Syndromes" 1st Year Medical Student Lecture; University at Buffalo (2017)
  • "Periodic Fever and Autoinflammatory Syndromes" 1st Year Medical Student Lecture; University at Buffalo (2017)
  • "Juvenile Dermatomyositis" Rheumatology Workshop for Pediatric Residents; University at Buffalo (2016)
  • "Critical Cases in Rheumatology" PICU Conference; Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2016)
  • "The Role of Muscle MRI in Detecting a Flare-up of Juvenile Dermatomyositis" Annual Conference; American College of Rheumatology (2016)
  • "JIA at the Age of Biologics" Pediatric Grand Rounds; Mercy Hospital of Buffalo (2016)
  • "A Quality Improvement Initiative to Increase Follow-Up with an Urinalysis in Henoch-Schönlein Purpura: A Retrospective Review and Prospective Study" 23rd Congress; Paediatric Rheumatology European Society (2016)
  • "Current Issues in Pediatric Rheumatology" Bi-Monthly Meeting; Buffalo Pediatric Society (2016)
  • "Introduction to Rheumatology" Immunology Fellow Lecture; Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2016)
  • "Juvenile Dermatomyositis" Pediatric Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo (2016)
  • "Spondyloarthropathy in Children" Pediatric and Adult Rheumatology Grand Rounds; Ohio State University (2015)
  • "Complement Abnormalities in Children with Lupus and Dermatomyositis" Pediatric and Adult Rheumatology Grand Rounds; Ohio State University (2014)
  • "Pre-Visit Planning and Quality Improvement in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis" Pediatric Rheumatology Symposium; American College of Rheumatology (2014)
See all (25 more)

Service Activities:

  • Arthritis Foundation, Walk to Cure Arthritis. Buffalo, NY, Delaware Park; Registration and fund raising (2022)
  • Mentor; AMIGO Program: UPMC Rheumatology Fellow Mentor. (2021–2022)
  • University at Buffalo: Faculty Senate; Member (2020–2021)
  • Improve Self-Management Mentorship Program Developer (2020–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Problem-Based Learning Session - Biologic Medications Creator and Teacher (2019–present)
  • Oishei Children's Hospital: Dragon Medical One (DMO) Committee; Committee Member (2019–present)
  • Linda Basta Memorial Charity Walk; Coordinator (2018–present)
  • Rheumatology Research Foundation Preceptorship Program Preceptor (2018–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Problem-Based Learning Session - Skin and MSK Facilitator (2018–present)
  • Oishei Children‘s Hospital: EMR Biologic Medication Forms Committee; Committee Member (2018–present)
  • Oishei Children‘s Hospital: Resident Guide for Rheumatological Disease; Coordinator (2018–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Pediatrics Scientific Review Committee; Reviewer (2018–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Scholarly Oversight Committee (GI Fellow and Endocrinology Fellow); Committee Member (2017–2018)
  • Oishei Children's Hospital: Optimizing Infusion Order and EMR Infusion Order; Member (2017–present)
  • UBMD Pediatrics: EMR Templates for Division of Rheumatology Developer (2016)
  • AMIGO Program: Stanford University Rheumatology Fellow Mentor (2016–2017)
  • Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance: Juvenile Dermatomyositis Committee; Committee Member (2016–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Rheumatology-Nephrology Monthly Meeting for Residents and Fellows; Coordinator (2016–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Rheumatology-Radiology Bi-Monthly Meeting for Residents; Coordinator (2016–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Rheumatology Clinical and Research Bi-Monthly Meeting; Coordinator (2016–present)
  • Buffalo General Medical Center: Muscle Biopsy Conference; Reviewer (2016–present)
  • American College of Rheumatology: Annual Meeting (San Francisco, CA); Participant (2015)
  • Pediatric Rheumatology Care and Outcomes Improvement Network: Annual Meeting (Cincinnati, OH); Participant (2015)
  • American College of Rheumatology: Annual Meeting (Boston, MA); Participant (2014)
  • Pediatric Rheumatology Care and Outcomes Improvement Network: Annual Meeting (Cincinnati, OH); Participant (2014)
  • Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance: Annual Meeting (Orlando, FL); Participant (2014)
  • Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal; Reviewer (2014–present)
  • American College of Rheumatology: Annual Meeting (San Diego, CA); Participant (2013)
  • Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo: Research; Volunteer (2012–2013)
  • Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo: Pediatrics Ward; Volunteer (2012)
  • Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit; Volunteer (2012)

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Contact Information

UBMD Pediatrics
Division of Allergy/Immunology and Rheumatology
1001 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: (716) 323-6240
Fax: (716) 323-6671
rabhehab@buffalo.edu

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD