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Peds rheumatologist only one in state by Heather Woolwine Public Relations Life prior to age 18 may be defined as the formative years, since experiences and events during these years can influence the direction one takes in selecting a career and making enduring life choices.   In her formative years, Natasha Ruth, M.D., pediatric rheumatology, experienced an intimate understanding of the conditions she has come to diagnose and treat. She also gained an unexpected mentor who would reinforce her desire to become a healer of children.   Dr. Natasha Ruth   Ruth, who came to MUSC in September, has used the last several months to become accustomed to life at MUSC and the University of South Carolina, where she also holds a faculty appointment as the state’s only board-certified pediatric rheumatologist. A long-time resident of Hilton Head Island, Ruth received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Davidson College in North Carolina before earning her bachelor’s degree from USC. She continued her education at USC’s medical school and also completed her pediatric residency there. During her fellowship training at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Ohio, she also earned a master’s degree in biostatistics and epidemiology from the University of Cincinnati.   But it was during her residency at USC that Ruth’s culminated experience with rheumatology would have her call Rick Silver, M.D., Division of Rheumatology director, and tell him that, ultimately, she wanted to come to MUSC.   “He was thrilled,” she said, “I think he knew why I was calling even before I was able to say it. We’d known each other a long time by that point. I knew from experience that he had an incredible adult rheumatology program and a strong research setting with Dr. [Gary] Gilkeson. It was a good fit.”   Years ago, when Ruth was just 16 and living on Hilton Head with her parents, her mother was diagnosed with scleroderma, a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The symptoms of scleroderma vary greatly from individual to individual, and the effects of scleroderma can range from very mild to life-threatening. Trying to understand her mother’s condition and also a self-described “science fair kid,” Ruth set about shadowing her mother’s new doctor. “I shadowed Dr. Silver as part of a project for high school and because it made sense that it might be a good way to learn about the condition,” she said. “It was then that I started thinking about becoming a rheumatologist. During college, I worked in his lab for two summers. Even when I was applying to medical school, residency, and fellowship, I knew that at some point I would come to MUSC.”     ‘It’s the children’ For Ruth, the decision to become a pediatric rheumatologist was an easy one. “It’s tough to see them sick, but for the most part, children will get better and it is so nice to be able to help them,” she said. “With my specialty I’m able to get to know them and their families. I’m watching them grow up and many I get to know outside of the office. There are good and bad days… Some days I think I would have rather become a personal trainer. No, I’m kidding, but you do dedicate a lot to these children, and sacrifice a lot of your personal life to do this work. It’s worth it, though. It’s so worth it.”   Operating out of clinics in Columbia and on the MUSC campus, Ruth specializes in juvenile idiopathic arthritis, childhood vasculitis, pediatric onset lupus, and juvenile dermatomyositis. “The plan is to do our best to maximize care for children in the state with these types of conditions. It makes no sense to ask people who live in Clemson or other parts of the Upstate to have to drive this far for specialized care, so having a clinic in Columbia seemed like the smartest thing to do.”   Helping Ruth in her quest to better care for the state’s children is Beth Sharp, a nurse practitioner currently training in pediatric rheumatology and who will be the only one of her kind once her training is complete. “She’ll be seeing patients with me for nine months to a year, and then once she’s trained we’ll really be ready to go,” Ruth said.   Ruth’s focus will be pediatric lupus and neuropsychological involvement in lupus, and she also is a member of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance. This consists of pediatric rheumatologists nationwide who are combining efforts and resources to further advance clinical treatments, trials and research for their specialty. “These are rare diseases so we must conduct a lot of collaborative work to maximize our work and achieve the best results,” Ruth said. She also looks forward to collaborating with clinicians in the Darby Children’s Research Institute and working with Gilkeson.   The retired varsity tennis player (from her Davidson days) still enjoys a good workout and, when not hustling throughout her challenging work days, lavishes attention on her dog, Jacob. Currently, Ruth sees patients in Columbia on Mondays, at the West Ashley Bone and Joint Center on Tuesday afternoons, in Rutledge Tower on Wednesday afternoons, and all day Thursdays. She saves Fridays for procedures and “breathing.” In April, her schedule will change slightly, as every other Tuesday she will see patients in Columbia. Save the date: Arthritis Walk May 19 The Arthritis Walk  is the Arthritis Foundation’s nationwide event that raises awareness and funds to fight arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. It is a tremendous opportunity to help improve the lives of the 46 million men, women and children doctor-diagnosed with arthritis. Get involved or recruit friends and family members to build a team. Best of all, walk in honor of a loved one with arthritis and know you’re making a difference by raising funds to support Arthritis Foundation research, public health and public policy efforts to improve the lives of people with arthritis.   For information visit http://www.arthritis.org.     Friday, March 9, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.