Irene Blanco, MD, MS

Irene Blanco, MD, MS, is the Associate Dean of Diversity Enhancement, Rheumatology Fellowship Program Director, and the Director of the Montefiore Lupus Clinic at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine – Montefiore Health System. Her research interests focus on addressing health disparities and the social determinants of health in rheumatology through patient and provider centered educational interventions. As the Associate Dean of Diversity Enhancement at Einstein, Dr. Blanco focuses on the diversification of the medical and biomedical workforce. She believes that only by bringing people from traditionally marginalized groups into medicine; and supporting them as they cultivate positions of leadership, are we to truly address the needs of our most vulnerable of patients. She also brings this experience to the American College of Rheumatology as the co-chair for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Taskforce.