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Rheumatology Subspecialty Clinics - Arthritis Center

Subspecialty Clinics - Arthritis Center

About our practice:

The Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center was founded in 1998 and specializes in the care of patients with inflammatory arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. The mission of the Arthritis Center is to provide outstanding Clinical Care, pursue Innovative Research, and provide unparalleled Education to benefit those affected by arthritis. Each physician is actively involved in research. Providing care to more than 4000 patients each year, the Arthritis Center care team includes rheumatologists, nurses, patient care coordinators, research coordinators, and psychologists. Collaborations with physical and occupational therapy, orthopedic surgeons, experts in exercise, and radiologists provide patients with access to a multidisciplinary approach to Arthritis care and access to the most advanced therapeutics and diagnostics available. This experienced and dedicated team of professionals is committed to ensuring the highest quality, state-of-the-art care for arthritis patients both in the Baltimore community and around the world.

Scheduling an appointment

Appointments can be made by calling (410) 550-8089 between 9am and 3pm Monday through Friday. 

If you are a new patient
, the following is needed:

  • A referral letter from your physician.
  • Medical records from all treating physicians and/or past rheumatologist records and/or hospital discharge summaries.
  • Recent laboratory results
  • Any X-rays of your joints (please bring original films).
  • Please arrive 30 minutes before your appointment to allow time for registration and vital signs.
  • Bring a copy of your insurance cards.

If you are a returning patient:

  • Please arrive 15-20 minutes before your appointment.
  • You may also need to complete some addtional forms to allow us to bill your insurance, to review your health, and help us know how you have been doing since your last visit.
  • Bring a copy of your insurance cards.

Rescheduling Appointments and Cancellations
Our clinic is very busy and unfortunately patients often have to wait several months for an appointment.  If you need to reschedule, please call us at 410 550-8089 as soon as possible. This will allow us to schedule another patient who is waiting to be seen. 

Prescription Refills

Refills of routine prescriptions can usually be called in or faxed to your pharmacy.  We do not fill prescriptions over the weekend or holidays.  Many prescriptions require prior authorization by your insurance plan, and this may take several days to obtain.  Medical Assistance and certain pain medications cannot be called in; we will mail these prescriptions to you (or you can pick them up). 
Please plan ahead and call 7 days before running out of your medications. 

If you call for a prescription refill, leave the following information on the machine (410-550-8089):

• Your name
• Your date of birth (we have many patients with the same name!)
• The medication name
• The medication dosage
• How you are taking the medication (once daily, twice daily, etc.)
• The quantity needed (one month or 3 month supply)
• The pharmacy phone number
• Your contact number where you can be reached DURING THE DAY (such as a cell phone) if we have questions.

Our Physicians and Faculty

Clifton O. Bingham, III, M.D., Director, Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center
Uzma Haque, M.D., Rheumatologist
Grant Louie, M.D., M.H.S., Rheumatologist
Rebecca Manno, M.D., M.H.S., Rheumatologist
John Flynn, M.D., Rheumatologist
Kevin Fontaine, Ph.D., Research Psychologist

Susan Bartlett, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Victoria Ruffing, R.N., Nurse Manager

Our Staff

Penny Athanasiou, Patient Service Coordinator
Bonnie Hebden, Administrative Assistant

Research Coodinators
Michelle Jones, BS
Patricia Jones, BS
Marilyn Towns, BS

The Bayview Clinical Staff works with the Arthritis Center during patient care visits.

Victoria Ruffing, RN

Vicky is the Nurse Manager in the Arthritis Center.  She directs the Osteoarthritis Initiative Study here at Johns Hopkins, part of a nationwide research study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health that will help us better understand how to prevent and treat knee osteoarthritis.  Vicky also handles many patient-related issues and educational efforts within the Arthritis Center clinics. 

Victoria Ruffing, RN

Penny Athanasiou

Penny is the Arthritis Center Patient Service Coordinator.  She handles all patient appointment scheduling, phone calls, prescription refills, and referrals.  Penny ensures that all doctor visits go as smoothly as possible for the patient and oversees all administrative tasks within the clinical practice.

Penny Athanasiou

Bonnie Hebdon

Bonnie is the Administrative Assistant to all of the physicians and faculty within the Arthritis Center.  She oversees physician scheduling outside the clinic as well as many administrative functions of the Arthritis Center, including grant proposals, meeting coordination, supplies ordering, research billing, etc.

Bonnie Hebden

Michelle Jones, BS

Michelle is a Research Coordinator in the Arthritis Center.  She oversees the database management for ongoing research studies within the Center.

Michelle Jones

Patricia Jones, BS

Patricia is a Research Coordinator in the Arthritis Center.  She works on a variety of clinical trials with Dr. Clifton Bingham.  Patricia oversees patient recruitment, assessments, and data management.

Patricia Jones

Marilyn Towns, BS

Marilyn is a Research Coordinator in the Arthritis Center.  She works on a variety of clinical trials with Drs. Joan Bathon and Jon Giles.  Marilyn oversees patient recruitment, assessments, and data management.

Marilyn Towns, BS

#1 in Rheumatology in the U.S.

US News and World Report Best HospitalsThe Johns Hopkins Hospital is the only hospital in history to be ranked #1 for 21 years by U.S. News & World Report.

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