Dr. S. Louis Bridges, Jr.
As highlighted in the WDOM’s 2021 Annual Report, Dr. S. Louis “Lou” Bridges, Jr., Chief, Division of Rheumatology, WDOM, remains focused on optimizing new approaches in clinical research and mentoring.
Based at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) where he serves as Physician-in-Chief and Chair of the Department of Medicine, Dr. Bridges has been at the helm of critical advances in clinical care, research, and education throughout his career. Since his arrival to the WDOM during the height of the covid pandemic, Dr. Bridges’ priorities have focused on enhancing the infrastructure needed to accelerate clinical research at HSS, enhancing mentoring opportunities between junior clinical investigators and established faculty members, and continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion among faculty and trainees.
In partnership with the WDOM, Dr. Bridges has brought a wealth of expertise that is benefiting the Division of Rheumatology: growth of additional pilot grants and young investigator grants, facilitation of future research studies that will improve patient outcomes, and harnessing of artificial intelligence technologies as part of “A Big Data Initiative.” Dr. Bridges also serves on the Clinical Research Advisory Committee at HSS for which he implements recommendations for a sustained research infrastructure using the HSS Clinical Research Taskforce as a blueprint.
Joining Dr. Bridges at HSS is pioneering physician-scientist, Timothy B. Niewold, M.D., FACR, newly appointed Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Medicine at HSS (announced December 22, 2021). In this role, Dr. Niewold will help to lead the nation’s largest staff of rheumatologists to advance basic and translational research in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Dr. Niewold completed his Rheumatology Fellowship under the research mentorship of Dr. Mary (Peggy) Crow, who formerly served as Chief of the WDOM’s Division of Rheumatology.
Dr. Niewold has led pioneering research in human autoimmune diseases, particularly lupus. He is the recipient of the Mary Betty Stevens Prize for Lupus Research (Lupus Foundation of America) and the Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Award (American College of Rheumatology) and serves in leadership roles for prominent national organizations. He is also renowned for his mentorship of young investigators pursuing translational and clinical research.
“We are delighted that Dr. Niewold will help lead the next generation of groundbreaking translational and clinical research for the Department of Medicine at HSS,” says Dr. Bridges. “We are at a historic intersection of knowledge, cutting edge technology and patient need. We are poised to accelerate impactful patient-oriented research that will improve the lives of our patients.”