Kevin Latinis, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Kansas University Medical Center
Kevin Latinis, MD, PhD
With arthritis affecting one in three American adults, and with the tremendous advances in successfully treating these diseases, rheumatology has evolved not only as the leading specialty in the development of biologic therapies, but also as a gratifying specialty to care for patients.
I have a particular interest in immunology and the rapid pace that new discoveries move from the bench to bedside excites me. Pharmaceutical companies have succeeded in developing biological agents that target the immune system and consequently benefit rheumatological disorders. The near future is set for a rapid expansion of this novel therapeutic approach and rheumatologists are going to be the leaders in some of the most important cutting-edge advancements in medicine.
Clinically, the diverse nature of rheumatic diseases keeps me sharp as an internist and facilitates positive interactions with most internal medicine specialties. The fellowship track in rheumatology provides a good mixture of outpatient care and exciting inpatient consultations. In most cases it is rare to feel overworked as a rheumatology fellow, especially when compared to the all-too-recent memories of internship.
Finally, with a relative nationwide shortage of trained rheumatologists, an increasing burden of musculoskeletal diseases in our currently aging population, and improved reimbursement to practicing rheumatologists, this specialty provides a great opportunity to practice in a geographic locality of your choosing in a blossoming field that provides a comfortable lifestyle.
