Closing the Loop for Lupus: A Wellness Toolkit for Women

Anca Askanase, MD, MPH

Dr. Askanase is the founder and director of the Columbia University Lupus Center and the Director of Rheumatology Clinical Trials. She is an internationally renowned clinician, diagnostician, and researcher with more than 20 years specializing in complex systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Dr. Askanase trained as a rheumatologist at New York University, where she remained for more than 15 years on faculty, directing clinical trials, training fellows and residents, and treating challenging SLE cases before moving to her current position at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Dr. Askanase’s academic career has focused primarily on patients with SLE and other autoimmune diseases. In addition to authoring numerous publications and her involvement in benchmark clinical trials, Dr. Askanase is a member of several major international consortia aimed at providing the collaboration between lupus doctors needing to improve outcomes and therapies in lupus: the SLICC (SLE international Collaborating Clinics), the LNTN (Lupus Nephritis Trial Network), and the Lupus Clinical Investigators Network (LuCIN). One of her most rewarding experiences was her involvement in the studies that led to the FDA approval of belimumab, anifrolumab, and voclosporin. Dr. Askanase is also involved in the development and testing of new SLE outcome measures, telemedicine outcomes, new imaging methods for lupus arthritis, and interventions to improve clinical trial participation for disparate population as ways to improve the care and outcomes of lupus patients. 

Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman, MD, DrPH

Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman, MD, DrPH, is the Gallagher Research Professor of Rheumatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (NUFSM) and an attending physician for Northwestern Medicine. She is the director of the Patient-Oriented Clinical Research Program in lupus with continuous funding from NIH, foundations, philanthropy, and industry since 1991 when she joined the faculty at NUFSM. Her research program examines risk factors to minimize complications in lupus including osteoporosis, malignancy, renal, and cardiovascular disease. Through national and international collaborations, she studies genetic risk factors for disease severity/susceptibility; collaborates on investigations studying pathogenesis of disease; develops disease classification criteria, flare assessments, nephritis guidelines, disease impact (damage and frailty), and assessment of patient-reported outcomes (including an investigator-initiated NIAMS/NIH funded clinical trial testing an intervention to mitigate fatigue, a pervasive problem affecting 90% of patients with lupus).  She is active in designing, monitoring, and performing clinical trials, identifying novel biomarkers, and testing innovative therapies. Many of these clinical investigations incorporate analysis of lupus in multiethnic cohorts examining clinical, laboratory, and health related outcomes. An underlying theme for these investigations is a longstanding interest in documenting health disparities in lupus and experience working with communities.  

Estela Mata-Carcamo

Estela Mata-Carcamo is a tireless advocate for health equity, leading transformative initiatives at the intersection of healthcare, community engagement, and patient empowerment. As the President and Co-founder of Looms for Lupus, she drives awareness and support for lupus, fibromyalgia, and mental health. Her leadership has positively impacted thousands of patients and caregivers through education, advocacy and support.

Estela engages with the community, empowering patients to use their voices, share their stories, and shape policy decisions. She is also an ambassador of hope and co-founder of Mata Advocacy and Support (MAS), an advocacy consulting firm dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.

With 30 years of healthcare experience, Estela bridges connections between all stakeholders: industry and patients alike. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she collaborates globally with entities such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Estela actively participates in Congresswoman Grace Napolitano’s Mental Health Consortium and serves as Vice-Chair of the Board for the California Chronic Care Coalition.