Rowland W Chang

Rowland W Chang is a Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology) at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, with additional appointments in Medicine (Rheumatology) and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. A rheumatologist and epidemiologist, his career spans clinical practice (closed December 2023), education, and research focused on arthritis outcomes and physical activity interventions for musculoskeletal disorders.

Dr. Chang's educational background includes:

• BA from Harvard College (1972)
• MD from Tufts University School of Medicine (1976)
• MPH from Harvard University (1982)

His clinical training comprised Internal Medicine residency at Mount Auburn Hospital (1979) and Rheumatology fellowships at Royal Postgraduate Medical School (1980) and Brigham & Women's Hospital (1982).

His research centers on functional disability outcomes in arthritis populations, emphasizing sedentary behavior consequences and physical activity promotion. Leading the interdisciplinary Physical Activity in Rheumatology Research (PARR) group, he investigates rehabilitation outcomes, orthopedic surgery effectiveness, and community-based interventions through rigorous epidemiological and health services methodologies.

Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate sustained focus on arthritis-related outcomes, featuring methodologically diverse studies including sleep-pain interactions in rheumatoid arthritis, knee arthroplasty trials, PROMIS validation in juvenile myositis, and patient-clinician alignment in surgical decision-making. These works reflect interdisciplinary collaboration across rheumatology, orthopedics, and rehabilitation science.

Award highlights include:

• Lifetime Champion of Yes! Award (Arthritis Foundation, 2024)
• Master of the American College of Rheumatology (2019)
• Mentor of the Year (NU-FSM Faculty Senate, 2017)
• Charles B. Harding Award (Arthritis Foundation, 2014)
• Seven Outstanding Volunteer Awards (Arthritis Foundation, 2003-2009)

As an educator, Dr. Chang teaches epidemiology in Feinberg's Medical Decision Making course and co-leads Graduate School epidemiology instruction. His grant portfolio features NIH-funded trials including IMPAACT (motivational interviewing for arthritis), JointADventure (worksite interventions), and MobilWise (technology-based activity promotion), with current planning for a multi-center trial on sustainable physical activity strategies.

The PARR group he founded comprises physicians, nurses, therapists, psychologists, and social workers collaborating on arthritis rehabilitation research. This team operates within Northwestern's Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM) and Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (NUCATS), focusing on scalable interventions for chronic knee symptoms and rheumatologic disorders.