Arthritis and Rheumatology

Arthritis and Rheumatology

Our Faculty

Mackenzie Hall behind blooming flowers

The OHSU division of rheumatology includes a diverse group of dedicated, highly trained physicians and researchers who are committed to superb patient care, education, and research. Several of our faculty members are internationally recognized for their contributions to science and education.  We cherish the opportunity to establish long-term relationships with patients, and recognize the challenges our patients face living with rheumatic conditions.

Our Clinical Faculty

Leslie Kahl, M.D.

Interim Division Head, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives

Professor of Medicine, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

  • Undergraduate: Smith College and Stanford University
  • Medical School: Albany Medical College, Albany, NY
  • Residency: Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY and Presbyterian University Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Fellowship: Presbyterian University  Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Academic Interests: Medical education, Lupus
David Daikh

David I. Daikh, M.D., Ph.D. 

Professor of Medicine, Provisional, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

  • Undergraduate: University of Oregon 
  • Medical School: Oregon Health Sciences University
  • Ph.D.: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Resident: University of California, San Francisco
  • Fellowship: Rheumatology, University of California, San Francisco
  • Academic Interests: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, T cell therapies, Crystalline Arthritis, Medical Education
Atul Deodhar

Atul Deodhar, M.D., MRCP.

Medical Director, OHSU Rheumatology Clinic

Professor of Medicine, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

  • Medical School: B. J. Medical College, Pune, India
  • Residency: King Edward Memorial Hospital, Pune India, and Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, England
  • Fellowship: Royal Cornwall Hospital, England; & Oregon Health & Science University
  • Academic Interests: Axial Spondyloarthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic arthritis
Julianna Desmarais

Julianna Desmarais, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

Assistant Fellowship Program Director

Co-Director of Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic

  • Undergraduate: University of Arizona
  • Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
  • Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Utah
  • Chief Medical Resident, University of Utah
  • Fellowship: Rheumatology, Oregon Health & Science University
  • Academic Interests: Education, Interstitial Lung Disease, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Tejpal Gill

Tejpal Gill, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

  • Academic Interest: Immunology, Microbiology
  • Research focus on gut microbial dysbiosis in HLA-B27-associated spondyloarthritis.
  • Bachelor & Master of Science: Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India
  • Ph.D.: Institute of Hmalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, H.P. India
  • Postdoctoral: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
  • Research Fellow: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Daniela Ghetie

Daniela Ghetie, M.D.

Director, OHSU Vasculitis Clinic and Co-Director, OHSU Myositis Clinic

Attending Rheumatologist Vasculitis Center

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

  • Medical School: University of Medicine and Pharmacy - "Carol Davila" Bucharst, Romania
  • Rheumatology Residency: University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
  • Residency: Danbury Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
  • Fellowship: Oregon Health & Science University
  • Academic Interests: Myositis, Vasculitis 
Gina Ferrero. MD

Gina Ferrero, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

  • Graduate School: M.D., University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia
  • Residency: Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey
  • Fellowship: Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey
  • Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine. American Board of Internal Medicine in Rheumatology
  • Memberships/Associations: American College of Rheumatology
Whitney Elg-Salsman

Whitney Elg-Salsman, D.O., M.C.R.

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

  • Graduate School: D.O. 2016 Touro University of Nevada, Henderson, NV
  • Master of Clinical Research degree, 2022, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
  • Residency: Internal Medicine, 2019, OHSU, Portland, OR 
  • Fellowship: Rheumatology, 2022, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
  • Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine Certification in Rheumatology
  • Memberships/Associations: American College of Rheumatology
Emily Belz 2

Emily Belz, P.A.-C.

Instructor, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

  • Undergraduate School: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
  • Graduate School: Physician Assistant School - Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA
  • Memberships/Associations: American College of Rheumatology
Ruth Napier photo4

Ruth J. Napier, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

Principal Investigator, VA Portland Health Care System

  • Undergraduate: Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA
  • Graduate School: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship: Oregon Health & Science University
  • Academic Interests: autoinflammatory disease, microbiology, immunology, Blau Syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, rare disease

Our VAMC Faculty

Jennifer Barton

Jennifer Barton, M.D.

Rheumatology Section Chief, VA Portland 

Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

  • Undergraduate: Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio
  • Post Baccalaureate: Columbia University
  • Medical School: State University of New York, Stony Brook
  • Residency: University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital
  • Chief Residency: University of Rochester
  • Fellowship: Rheumatology, University of California, San Francisco
  • Master of Clinical Research: Oregon Health & Science University
  • Academic and Research Interests: health disparities, patient-clinician communication, shared decision making, health services research
  • Rheumatology Section Chief, VA Portland Health Care System
Pascale Schwab

Pascale Schwab, M.D.

Program Director, Rheumatology Fellowship

Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases

  • Undergraduate: University of Houston
  • Medical School: University of Texas Medical School, Houston
  • Residency: University of Texas Medical School, Houston
  • Chief Residency: University of Texas Medical School, Houston
  • Fellowship: Brigham & Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School
  • Academic Interests: Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoporosis