photo of Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Dr. Robert H. Shmerling is the former clinical chief of the division of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and is a current member of the corresponding faculty in medicine at Harvard Medical School. As a practicing rheumatologist for over 30 years, Dr. Shmerling engaged in a mix of patient care, teaching, and research. His research interests center on diagnostic studies in patients with musculoskeletal symptoms, and rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. He has published research regarding infectious arthritis, medical ethics, and diagnostic test performance in rheumatic disease. Having retired from patient care in 2019, Dr. Shmerling now works as a senior faculty editor for Harvard Health Publishing.

Twitter: @RobShmerling

Posts by Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Got immunity? Thank your thymus featured image

Staying Healthy

Got immunity? Thank your thymus

7 organs or glands you may do just fine without featured image

Staying Healthy

7 organs or glands you may do just fine without

Immune boosts or busts? From IV drips and detoxes to superfoods featured image

Staying Healthy

Immune boosts or busts? From IV drips and detoxes to superfoods

Harvard Health Ad Watch: Why are toilets everywhere in this drug ad? featured image

Diseases & Conditions

Harvard Health Ad Watch: Why are toilets everywhere in this drug ad?

Leprosy in Florida: How worried should we be? featured image

Diseases & Conditions

Leprosy in Florida: How worried should we be?

Think fast: How does your face protect you? featured image

Staying Healthy

Think fast: How does your face protect you?

Stomachs growl, noses run, and yawning is contagious: Ever wonder why? featured image

Staying Healthy

Stomachs growl, noses run, and yawning is contagious: Ever wonder why?

Health warnings on exercise equipment: Should you worry? featured image

Exercise & Fitness

Health warnings on exercise equipment: Should you worry?

Harvard Health Ad Watch: An IV treatment for thyroid eye disease featured image

Diseases & Conditions

Harvard Health Ad Watch: An IV treatment for thyroid eye disease

Give praise to the elbow: A bending, twisting marvel featured image

Staying Healthy

Give praise to the elbow: A bending, twisting marvel

The FDA relaxes restrictions on blood donation featured image

Diseases & Conditions

The FDA relaxes restrictions on blood donation

Does running cause arthritis? featured image

Exercise & Fitness

Does running cause arthritis?

Is snuff really safer than smoking? featured image

Staying Healthy

Is snuff really safer than smoking?

Drug recalls are common featured image

Staying Healthy

Drug recalls are common

Can electrical brain stimulation boost attention, memory, and more? featured image

Mind & Mood

Can electrical brain stimulation boost attention, memory, and more?

What happens when a drug goes viral? featured image

Diseases & Conditions

What happens when a drug goes viral?

Does inflammation contribute to infertility? featured image

Women's Health

Does inflammation contribute to infertility?

Rating the drugs in drug ads featured image

Staying Healthy

Rating the drugs in drug ads

Screening tests may save lives — so when is it time to stop? featured image

Staying Healthy

Screening tests may save lives — so when is it time to stop?

Motorcycle rallies and organ donation: A curious connection featured image

Staying Healthy

Motorcycle rallies and organ donation: A curious connection

Aspirin and bone health: Is there a connection? featured image

Staying Healthy

Aspirin and bone health: Is there a connection?

Genes protective during the Black Death may now be increasing autoimmune disorders featured image

Diseases & Conditions

Genes protective during the Black Death may now be increasing autoimmune disorders

When replenishing fluids, does milk beat water? featured image

Nutrition

When replenishing fluids, does milk beat water?

Can a multivitamin keep your brain healthy? featured image

Mind & Mood

Can a multivitamin keep your brain healthy?

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