RhAPPcast

In this video, Lindsay Tom, PA-C, takes a focused look at the emerging connection between CD64 and IL-23 across inflamed joint, skin, and gut tissue. Drawing from real-world immunology and disease-state research, she explores why this pathway matters in immune-mediated inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The discussion highlights how CD64-expressing myeloid cells may influ...

In this educational rheumatology video, physician assistant Lindsay Tom, PA-C, from the Northern Virginia Center for Arthritis, provides a clear and clinically relevant overview of CD64, also known as FC gamma receptor I, and its role in immune system function. The discussion explores how CD64 is expressed on myeloid lineage cells such as monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, and how it contributes to innate immunity by bind...

In this short video, pediatric rheumatology advanced practice providers Brandon Ko, APRN, DNP, C-PNP, and Brandi Goble, PNP, share their personal journeys into pediatric rheumatology and discuss the critical role APPs play in expanding access to care—especially in rural and underserved communities. They highlight the challenges of entering a highly specialized field with limited formal training, the importance of mentorship, and ho...

In this video, Audrey Gibson, PA-C, a rheumatology physician assistant with nearly two decades of clinical experience, breaks down the unique dual mechanism of action of guselkumab and its role in targeting IL-23–driven inflammation. The discussion explores how this fully human monoclonal antibody selectively binds the IL-23 p19 subunit to inhibit downstream inflammatory signaling, while also engaging CD64 on inflammatory monocytes...

In this FAQ, William Saalfeld, NP, breaks down why the modified van der Heijde–Sharp (mvdH-S) score remains the most widely used radiographic method in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) clinical trials. He highlights how the score delivers the strongest combination of reliability, sensitivity to change, and validation, making it ideal for detecting small but meaningful structural progression over typical trial timelines. Learn how its cons...

Discover how the APEX trial raised the bar in understanding structural damage risk in psoriatic arthritis. In this quick FAQ video module, William Saalfeld, NP, breaks down why APEX was designed differently from DISCOVER-2, what made its patient population unique, and how these changes help us better evaluate progression and treatment impact. If you want a clearer, faster way to understand the science behind PsA trial design, this ...

In this final episode of our RhAPP, MAPP, GHAPP, and SDPA crosscast series, expert APPs from dermatology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, and obesity medicine break down the most important conversation of all—how to talk to patients about obesity and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). This discussion focuses on real-world communication strategies, reducing stigma, motivational interviewing, shared decision-making, and s...

In this cross-specialty episode of our RhAPP, GHAPP, MAPP and SDPA collaborative series, leading APPs from dermatology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, and metabolic medicine break down real-world strategies to improve outcomes for patients living with both obesity and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). Building on earlier discussions about epidemiology and pathophysiology, this conversation focuses on practical, clinic...

In this episode of our crosscast series shared across RhAPPcast, GHAPPcast, and Dermcast, we explore the hidden costs of obesity in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and how excess adiposity drives poorer outcomes, reduced treatment response, and increased healthcare burden. Hosted by Amanda Mixon, PA-C, president of RhAPP, this discussion brings together expert APPs from rheumatology, dermatology, gastroenterology, and...

Welcome to the first episode in our special cross-platform podcast collaboration on IMIDs and Obesity, shared across RhAPPcast, GHAPPcast, and Dermcast—the official podcasts of RhAPP, GHAPP, and SDPA. Hosted by Amanda Mixon, PA-C, President of RhAPP, this conversation titled “Obesity and IMIDs: Unpacking the Epidemic and Its Far-Reaching Impacts” explores one of the most under recognized yet clinically significant intersections in ...

Join host Amanda Mixon, President of RhAPP, for a special episode of RhAPPcast, recorded live at the 6th Annual RhAPP Conference. In this conversation, Amanda is joined by Jessica Glennie, CNP, from the Cleveland Clinic, to explore the complex intersection of rheumatology and pulmonology, focusing on Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) and Pulmonary Hypertension in ILD (PH-ILD). Together, they unpack how early recognition, multidiscipl...

Join host Amanda Mixon, PA-C, live from the 6th Annual RhAPP National Conference in Denver, as she sits down with Naomi Amudala, CRNP, from Penn Medicine, to break down one of rheumatology’s most complex and life-threatening conditions: ANCA-associated vasculitis. In this insightful RhAPPcast episode, Amanda and Naomi explore the spectrum of AAV—including GPA, MPA, and EGPA—while unpacking early diagnostic clues, real-world treatme...

In this educational segment, Wendy Simmons, PA-C, from Carolina Arthritis Associates in Wilmington, North Carolina, shares her nearly three decades of experience in rheumatology to address a critical question: What is the clinical significance of structural damage in psoriatic arthritis? Drawing on insights from decades of evolution in psoriatic arthritis care—from the pre-biologic era of the 1990s to today’s advanced targeted ther...

In this medication review, Wendy Simmons, PA-C, from Carolina Arthritis Associates in Wilmington, North Carolina, draws on nearly three decades of rheumatology experience to explore the clinical efficacy of guselkumab in inhibiting the progression of structural damage in psoriatic arthritis. Referencing the APEX Phase 3B Trial presented at the 2025 EULAR Congress, Wendy reviews key data on guselkumab's dual IL-23 mechanism of actio...

Welcome to RhAPPcast, the official podcast of Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers. In this episode, hosted by Amanda Mixon, PA-C, current RhAPP President, we bring you exclusive highlights from the 6th Annual RhAPP National Conference. This episode features a powerful discussion with Betsy Kirchner, nurse practitioner at Cleveland Clinic and RhAPP co-founder. Together, Amanda and Betsy explore the evolving landscape of Sjögren...

In this episode, Wendy Simmons, PA-C from Carolina Arthritis in Wilmington, North Carolina, shares insights from nearly three decades of rheumatology experience to answer an important clinical question. Drawing on the pivotal APEX trial, recently presented at EULAR Congress 2025, Wendy reviews how guselkumab demonstrated inhibition of radiographic progression in PsA patients. Using modified vdH-S scores to assess joint space narrow...

In this episode, Kyle George, PA-C at St. Luke’s Rheumatology in Idaho, explains the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and its impact on the affordability of biologic therapies for patients with chronic conditions. This landmark law introduces sweeping reforms to lower prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries, including giving Medicare the authority to negotiate prices on high-cost drugs, capping annual out-of-pocket expens...

In this episode of RhAPPcast, the official podcast of Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers, host Amanda Mixon, PA-C, is joined by Bonnie Smeryage, NP, to shed light on X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH)—a rare hereditary condition that often goes unrecognized or misdiagnosed in rheumatology. XLH can mimic common rheumatologic and musculoskeletal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or fibromyalgia, leadi...

In this episode of RhAPPcast, the official podcast of Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers, host Amanda Mixon, PA-C, is joined by Claudia Rivera Salas, NP, to tackle one of the most challenging areas in rheumatology: managing patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) who do not respond well to glucocorticoids or struggle with steroid tapering. While steroids remain the cornerstone of PMR treatment, many patients relapse or dev...