Pioneering Digital Solutions for Arthritis
Early Diagnosis
Our team prioritizes early identification of arthritis to ensure prompt and effective treatment, leading to better long-term outcomes for patients.
Novel Care Models
We're implementing innovative patient care approaches that leverage digital tools to enhance engagement, monitoring, and personalized care.
Meet the Directors
Karen Salomon-Escoto, MD
Founding Director, Inflammatory Arthritis Program & Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Program
Dr. Karen Salomon-Escoto is a rheumatologist and associate professor of medicine at UMass Chan Medical School, dedicated to transforming how inflammatory arthritis is identified, monitored, and managed through patient-centered, technology-driven care. As founding director of both the UMass Rheumatology Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Program and the Inflammatory Arthritis Program, she has built each initiative from the ground up.
Her research focuses on early arthritis detection and remote patient monitoring, including the first external North American validation of the Leiden Arthritis Screening Questionnaire, and the development of an AI-enabled triage model she is advancing through Harvard Medical School's executive program in AI in Health Care.
Dr. Salomon-Escoto also serves as co-director of the UMass Department of Medicine Medical Grand Rounds program and is known for bringing creative energy to academic medical education.
Learn about how Dr. Salomon-Escoto is advancing rheumatology through remote patient monitoring.
Jonathan Kay, MD
Co-Director, Inflammatory Arthritis Program
Dr. Jonathan Kay is a rheumatologist, professor of medicine, and Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School, where he holds the Timothy S. and Elaine L. Peterson Chair in Rheumatology. He directs clinical research in the Division of Rheumatology and serves as Executive Co-Director of the MD-PhD Program, reflecting his longstanding dedication to physician-scientist education.
Dr. Kay's clinical and research expertise spans inflammatory arthritis, with particular focus on rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthropathies. He was a member of the group that developed the 2010 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for Rheumatoid Arthritis and has been a principal investigator on more than 60 clinical trials. Over the past decade, he has been a leading voice in the development of biosimilars for rheumatic diseases. He is the author of more than 270 publications, book chapters, and lectures internationally.
Dr. Kay is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians, a 2018 recipient of the ACR Distinguished Service Award, and an honorary member of EULAR.
Meet Our Collaborators and Specialists
Zheni Stavre, MD
Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic Director
Dr. Stavre pioneered the UMass Rheumatology Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic, specializing in early diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Her focused approach ensures patients receive timely, effective care from the earliest stages of their condition. Her expertise includes implementing innovative treatment protocols and developing comprehensive care strategies that address both the joint and skin manifestations of psoriatic arthritis. She collaborates closely with Dermatology to provide integrated care for optimal patient outcomes.
Yevgeniy (Eugene) Popov, DO, MPH
Clinical Informatics
A key member of the patient-care team and Epic systems specialist, Dr. Popov combines clinical expertise with technical innovation. As an Epic builder, he develops digital tools that enhance patient data tracking and improve care delivery efficiency. His work focuses on streamlining clinical workflows, implementing decision support systems, and creating custom solutions that enable better patient monitoring and outcomes analysis. Dr. Popov's unique blend of medical knowledge and technical expertise has been instrumental in advancing digital health initiatives and improving the quality of patient care.
James Fournier, CNP
Clinician and Clinical Trials Joint Assessor
James Fournier plays a vital role in providing comprehensive care to inflammatory arthritis patients. His expertise in clinical care, combined with his collaborative disposition, contributes to advancing arthritis care through clinical trials as well. Through his dedication to patient-centered care and his involvement in clinical research, James is helping to elevate the standard of care and drive progress in this important area of healthcare.
Meet the Fast Track Arthritis Team
Our Fast Track Arthritis service offers designated new-patient appointments to ensure that people with joint pain at higher risk for inflammatory arthritis are seen without delay. This rapid-access clinic is staffed by a dedicated team of six rheumatologists, Dr. Ratnesh Chopra, Dr. Jonathan Kay, Dr. Yevgeniy (Eugene) Popov, Dr. William Traverse, Dr. Karen Salomon-Escoto, and Dr. Peggy Wu, working together to deliver timely evaluations, early diagnosis, and personalized treatment plans.
Our mission is simple: faster access, expert care, and a clearer path forward for every patient.
Prioritizing Early Diagnosis
Rapid Identification
Our team uses the latest diagnostic tools to quickly identify the onset of arthritis, enabling prompt intervention.
Personalized Treatment
We develop tailored treatment plans to address each patient's unique condition and needs, maximizing effectiveness.
Preventing Progression
Early diagnosis and proactive management are key to slowing the progression of inflammatory arthritis and preserving joint function.
Novel Patient Care Models
Remote Monitoring
Our platform enables continuous tracking of patient symptoms and outcomes, allowing for timely adjustments to care plans.
Telehealth Visits
Convenient virtual consultations with our rheumatologists ensure seamless access to care, reducing barriers to treatment.
Patient Engagement
Interactive digital tools empower patients to actively participate in their care, fostering better outcomes.
Leveraging Digital Technology
Improving Patient Capture
Our program uses advanced digital strategies to identify and connect with more individuals living with arthritis, ensuring they receive the care they need.
Data-Driven Decisions
By continuously analyzing patient data, we can optimize treatment plans, allocate resources effectively, and drive continuous improvements in care.
Remote Patient Monitoring Platform
Symptom Tracking
Patients use wearable devices and mobile apps to regularly report on their arthritis symptoms and joint status.
Data Analysis
Our AI-powered platform analyzes the data to detect patterns and identify potential flare-ups or changes in condition.
Timely Interventions
Our team can then proactively adjust treatment plans and provide personalized guidance to patients, improving outcomes.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound Services
Advanced Diagnostic Capabilities
Our state-of-the-art ultrasound technology enables real-time visualization of joint inflammation and structural changes, allowing for immediate diagnosis and treatment decisions. This non-invasive imaging technique provides a detailed assessment of soft tissues, helping identify early signs of arthritis before they become visible on traditional X-rays.
Clinical Benefits
- Immediate bedside assessment during consultation
- Precise guidance for therapeutic joint injections
- Real-time monitoring of treatment response
- Enhanced patient education through visual demonstration
By integrating point-of-care ultrasound into our practice, we've significantly improved our ability to detect early disease activity and optimize treatment strategies, leading to better outcomes for our patients with inflammatory arthritis.
Integrated Specialty Pharmacy: Your Partner in Treatment Success
Our Integrated Specialty Pharmacy is an essential part of our Inflammatory Arthritis Program, offering a seamless, patient-focused experience from day one. With a dedicated, all-star team of Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) and PharmDs, we provide unparalleled support in treatment initiation and ongoing care.
Fast, Efficient Treatment Start
When a new medication is prescribed, timing is critical. Our specialty pharmacy partners excel in getting you started on your new treatment plan faster than ever before, with a record-breaking initiation time. This means less waiting and more action toward managing your condition.
Personalized Support Every Step of the Way
We’re committed to your well-being, which is why our pharmacy team is with you throughout your treatment journey. From navigating insurance and copay assistance to managing side effects and drug adherence, our pharmacists offer frequent touchpoints to ensure you’re fully supported.
Tracking and Improving Outcomes
Our pharmacy team doesn't just dispense medications—they’re a key part of tracking your progress. Through regular follow-ups, they help monitor your response to treatment, providing insights and adjustments to help achieve the best possible outcomes.
RA Clinic Metrics
*All metrics represent FY25, October 2024 - September 2025
Research & Innovation
Validation Study
Early Arthritis Screening
External validation of the Leiden Arthritis Screening Questionnaire in a North American clinical population. Manuscript in preparation; findings to be presented at EULAR 2026.
Platform Development
Remote Patient Monitoring in Rheumatoid Arthritis
A novel RPM model enabling continuous, real-world disease activity tracking in rheumatoid arthritis, moving assessment beyond scheduled clinic visits to support timely, personalized care decisions.
Pilot Study
Digital Biomarkers of Sarcopenia in RA
Proof-of-concept study examining app-based digital markers of sarcopenia in rheumatoid arthritis patients, with preliminary correlations identified across pain and disease activity measures.
AI Development
AI-Powered Arthritis Screening Model
Development of an artificial intelligence model to operationalize validated arthritis screening tools at scale, enabling earlier identification of patients at risk for inflammatory arthritis across clinical settings.
Our research program maintains the highest standards of scientific rigor and patient safety, with all trials conducted under strict regulatory oversight and ethical guidelines. Patients interested in participating in clinical trials can contact our research coordinator for more information about current enrollment opportunities.
Aligning with UMass Strategic Goals
Elevating the Standard of Arthritis Care
By seamlessly integrating cutting-edge digital technologies, our program is transforming the standard of arthritis care, empowering patients, and delivering exceptional outcomes.
In the News
In December 2025, Dr. Karen Salomon-Escoto co-directed the program's inaugural Inflammatory Arthritis Day Symposium alongside Dr. Zheni Stavre, an event she conceived and led from inception, convening over 100 clinicians, scientists, and industry partners to accelerate innovation in the field.
