Marisa S Klein-Gitelman

Dr. Marisa S Klein-Gitelman serves as Chief of Rheumatology in the Department of Pediatrics and is a Professor of Pediatrics (Rheumatology) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She has been the division head in pediatric rheumatology since 2002 and is affiliated with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dr. Klein-Gitelman is a board-certified specialist in both Pediatrics and Pediatric Rheumatology.

Dr. Klein-Gitelman's educational background includes an MS from Stanford University (1980), MD from Washington University (1985), and MPH from University of Illinois, Chicago (1996). Her postgraduate training includes pediatric internship and residency at Babies Hospital/Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, where she also served as Chief Resident, followed by a fellowship in Pediatric Rheumatology at Tufts-New England Medical Center.

Her primary research focus centers on pediatric onset systemic lupus, with specific expertise in lupus nephritis, disease flare and remission assessment, cognitive changes in pediatric lupus, and biomarker development. She also investigates vasculitis, autoinflammatory disorders, uveitis, neuroinflammatory diseases, and pediatric autoimmune encephalitis. Dr. Klein-Gitelman has published over 100 journal articles, 107 abstracts, and 10 textbook chapters, accumulating over 3,500 citations.

Her recent publications demonstrate continued leadership in pediatric rheumatology research, with focus areas including renal disease in ANCA-associated vasculitis, medication adherence in pediatric lupus, implementation of disease activity assessment tools, and classification criteria for juvenile spondyloarthritis. These works reflect her commitment to advancing clinical practice through evidence-based approaches.

• America's Top Doctor, Castle Connolly (multiple years from 2014-2024)
• Exceptional Women in Medicine, Chicago Magazine (2021-2024)
• Top Doctor, Chicago Magazine (multiple years from 2010-2024)
• Chicago Super Doctors (2012-2014)
• Pediatric Rheumatology Visiting Professor (multiple years from 2005-2010)
• Excellence in medical student teaching (2019)

Dr. Klein-Gitelman has served in numerous leadership roles including as a board member of the American College of Rheumatology and as founding member of the ACR/CARRA mentoring interest group (AMIGO). She has mentored extensively both within her institution and through national programs. Her professional service includes committee work for the American College of Rheumatology, American Academy of Pediatrics, and FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee. She currently serves as Section Editor for Pediatric Rheumatology in UpToDate and as Scientific Advisory Board Chair for Astra Zeneca.

At Lurie Children's Hospital, Dr. Klein-Gitelman participates in the hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis working group and an interdisciplinary exercise physiology research group. She has also contributed to vasculitis registries in North America and Europe and maintains an interest in cost effectiveness and health quality of care initiatives.