ACR on Air Podcast
ACR on Air seeks to have informative conversations rheumatology professionals want to hear – ranging in topic from trends in clinical practice, to issues affecting rheumatology professionals, and the changing landscape of the rheumatology field. Tune in bi-weekly for new interviews and commentary that are sure to empower listeners to excel in their specialty.
Podcast Host
Our host, Jonathan Hausmann, MD, is a pediatric and adult rheumatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital. He is also an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. His research interests include autoinflammatory diseases, health technology, and medical education. Connect with Dr. Hausmann on Twitter (@hausmannMD).
Episodes
New episodes will be available twice a month on Tuesdays.
ACR Convergence – AI Development in Clinical Care: Promises and Pitfalls
ACR Convergence – Thriving at Every Stage: The Power of Lifestyle Medicine
ACR Convergence – Dysfunctional Mitochondria in Myositis-Driven Inflammation
Episode 136 – Direct Specialty Clinical Care Model
Episode 135 – ACR Convergence 2026 Preview
Browse previous episodes in the ACR on Air archive.
Episode Show Notes
AI is already transforming medicine, but does that mean every new capability will translate into better patient care? As ACR Convergence 2026 continues this week, we spotlight Dr. Mujeeb Basit's talk, “AI Development in Clinical Care: Promises and Pitfalls,” which took place Saturday, November 7. In this episode, we explore what it takes to integrate AI into clinical practice safely, effectively, and responsibly, how these technologies may fundamentally change the way we care for patients, and what happens when AI begins to outperform physicians at tasks they have spent years mastering. As AI reshapes the future of medicine, we ask a bigger question: Will we need to rethink what it means to be a physician?
Mujeeb Basit, MD, MMSc – Mujeeb Basit, MD, MMSc, is a cardiologist, computer scientist and informatics executive researcher who uses mixed method approaches to improve medical processes, implement guidelines, and bring machine learning to the bedside. His research focuses on machine learning-based decision support systems, automated error detection in clinical support system and process improvement through user interaction mining with predictive analytics. He joined the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 2016 after completing his Clinical Informatics Fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He works with guideline agencies and EHR vendors to improve the implementation of guidelines in EHRs.
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Our coverage of ACR Convergence 2026 continues with a conversation about moving beyond “Treat to Target” toward “Treat to Thrive.” While measuring disease activity, adjusting medications, and aiming for remission are essential parts of rheumatoid arthritis care. What happens when inflammation is under control, but patients still don’t feel well? In this episode, we explore why controlling inflammation isn't always enough, what it truly means for patients to thrive, and how patients and healthcare providers can strengthen their partnership to improve both disease outcomes and quality of life. Join us as we discuss a more holistic, collaborative approach to integrative arthritis care that puts the whole person at the center.
Cheryl Crow, OT – Cheryl Crow, OT, is an occupational therapist, rheumatoid arthritis advocate, educator, and founder of Arthritis Life. Drawing on her personal experience living with RA since age 20, she is dedicated to empowering people with arthritis through educational videos, the Arthritis Life Podcast, and her Rheum to THRIVE self-management course and support group. She is also a freelance writer and video creator, contributing to several leading health organizations and publications while advocating for greater awareness and support for people living with chronic illness.
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As part of our special coverage of ACR Convergence 2026, we’re joined by Christian Lood, PhD, from the University of Washington to explore a surprising role mitochondrion may play in myositis. Long known as the powerhouse of the cell, mitochondria may do more than simply respond to inflammation. When damaged, they can release contents that trigger the immune system and potentially fuel inflammation. We discuss how mitochondria escape from injured muscle, their potential as markers of disease activity, and whether understanding these processes could lead to new treatments for juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Christian will present his talk, Dysfunctional Mitochondria in Myositis-Driven Inflammation, on Sunday, November 8, at ACR Convergence 2026.
Christian Lood, PhD – Christian Lood, PhD, studies the role of innate immunity in inflammation and autoimmunity, with an emphasis on the role of neutrophils and mitochondria in the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) pathogenesis.
Dr. Lood’s lab is currently pursuing three main research aims: (a) investigating the role of innate immune biomarkers in stratifying patients based on disease activity, disease phenotype and treatment responses; (b) determining mechanisms of mitochondrial clearance and inflammation; and (c) investigating the role of neutrophils in regulating autoimmunity and inflammation.
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What is the "Direct Specialty Clinical Care Model" and is it a viable option for clinical rheumatologists in today's medical ecosphere? Diana Girnita, MD, PhD, FACR, founder and CEO of Rheumatologists OnCall, joins us to speak on what motivated her to pioneer this clinical approach, how she empowers her patients by putting the cost of care directly in their hands, her thoughts on the financial viability of this model in the near future and how she manages the daily responsibilities facing every clinician, like: dealing with insurance companies, billing, managing referrals, telemedicine and more!
Diana Girnita, MD, PhD, FACR – Diana Girnita, MD, PhD, FACR, is a board-certified rheumatologist and internist, PhD in transplant immunology, and the founder and CEO of Rheumatologist OnCall — the first direct-care telemedicine rheumatology practice, which she launched in 2020 to break the geographic barriers that leave so many patients without access to a rheumatologist locally. Trained at Harvard, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Cincinnati, where she still volunteers as an assistant professor, she cares for patients across multiple states, pairing evidence-based treatment with nutrition and mindfulness. She co-founded the Direct Specialty Care Alliance and serves on the American College of Rheumatology's Committee on Marketing & Communications. A speaker for the national Arthritis Foundation, a repeat invited guest at ACR Convergence, and a frequent podcast guest, she is the author of Thriving with Rheumatoid Arthritis and The Complete Gout Management and Nutrition Guide and reaches patients worldwide through a YouTube channel with more than 35 million views and a huge-member patient community. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, Medscape, and KevinMD.
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Join us as we explore what’s new and exciting at ACR Convergence, the premier gathering for rheumatology science and innovation. Gregory C. Gardner, MD, MACP, Chair of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, shares a preview of this year’s meeting, including emerging treatments like cellular therapy, hands-on workshops, and the science that could change clinical practice. We discuss the sessions you won’t want to miss and offer tips for making the most of your time at the meeting, both inside and outside the conference room.
Gregory C. Gardner, MD, MACP – Gregory C. Gardner, MD, MACP, is a rheumatologist and emeritus professor of medicine at the University of Washington, where he previously served as clinical director of rheumatology and fellowship program director. He held the prestigious Bruce C. Gilliland-Lucille T. Henderson Endowed Professorship in Medicine and is affiliated with UW Medicine-Harborview Medical Center and UW Medicine-University of Washington Medical Center. Dr. Gardner earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and has over 20 years of experience treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
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