Robert O’Brian

Seasoned and highly skilled rheumatologist with over 15 years of expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of medical conditions. Proven track record of improving patient outcomes through effective diagnosis and treatment strategies. Utilizes critical thinking and exceptional patient management skills to deliver high-quality care and foster strong communication with multidisciplinary teams. Extensive experience working with trainees at all levels of graduate medical education.

• Diplomate in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology with current Maintenance of Certification – The American Board of Internal Medicine
• Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology (FACR)
• Active Maryland and North Carolina medical licenses

• Key Clinical Faculty, National Capital Consortium Rheumatology Fellowship Program
• Assistant Professor, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
• American College of Rheumatology Knowledge Bowl Team Captain, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019

• Clinically Amyopathic Dermatomyositis, 05/19/18, 16th Annual Rheumatology Fellows Forum of the Rheumatology Society of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.
• Not All Finger Pain and Color Change is Raynaud’s, 04/01/18, Research and Innovations Competition, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
• Fever of Unknown Origin and Symmetric Inflammatory Polyarthritis Prompting Transpacific Military Relocation to Tertiary Care Center, 04/01/18, Research and Innovations Competition, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
• Naming is Everything! Inappropriate “Lupus Panel” Testing, 05/03/17, Evidence-Based Practice & Quality Improvement Award, 9th Annual National Capital Region Research Competitions, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
• The Wolf, a Rock and a Hard Place: Case Discussion on Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage and Systemic Lupus, 09/17/15, DC Regional Rheumatology Grand Rounds
• A Hard Blow to a Tough Tackler: Case Discussion on LGL Leukemia in RA, 09/17/15, DC Regional Rheumatology Grand RoundsCritical Mass- A Severe Presentation of Crowned Dens Syndrome, 12/01/14, National ACP Internal Medicine Meeting, Boston Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts
• A Unique Case of Isolated Carotid Artery Takayasu's Arteritis, 04/30/14, 8th Annual Congress of Clinical Rheumatology's North American Young Rheumatology Investigator Forum, Destin, FL
• Minimal Change Disease (MCD): Is This a Renal Manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?, 04/30/14, 8th Annual Congress of Clinical Rheumatology's North American Young Rheumatology Investigator Forum, Destin, FL
• Successful Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-associated Protein Losing Enteropathy with Rituximab, 04/01/07, National Young Rheumatology Investigator Forum, San Destin, FL
• Hypertensive Emergency and Renal Failure in a Patient with Facial and Palmar Lesions (A Fulminant Presentation of a Patient with Th/To Clinical Phenotype Systemic Sclerosis), 03/01/07, Washington D.C. Intracity Grand Rounds
• Dyspnea, Renal Failure and Rash in a Patient with Hyperthyroidism (A Case of Propylthiouricil-induced ANCA vasculitis), 03/01/06, Washington D.C. Intracity Grand Rounds
• Severe Headache, Neurologic Change and Fever in a Young Woman: An Unusual Initial Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, 09/01/05, Washington D.C. Intracity Grand Rounds

ANA Testing, Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology Course, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 03/01/16, 03/01/17, 01/01/18, 10/28/22, 11/15/24; Consortium of DC Rheumatology Fellowship Programs, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 07/01/19

Polyartertis Nodosa: An Update, Walter Reed Fellowship Lecture Series, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 10/22/21, 5/26/23

Inflammatory Myositis, Consortium of DC Rheumatology Fellowship Programs, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 07/01/15, 07/01/16, 07/01/17, 07/01/18

Serologic Testing in Rheumatology: An Update for the Dermatologist, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Dermatology Department, Bethesda, MD, 06/01/17

• Wagler VD, Mitchum MD, O’Brian RJ, Proton Pump Inhibitor-Associated Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus in a Patient with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 2016, 22, 8, 436-437
• Papadopoulos PJ, O’Brian RJ, Wegener Granulomatosis, eMedicine from WebMD, 08/04/09, http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332622-overview
• Keith MP, O’Brian RJ, The Role of Primary Care Providers in Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis, Part 1 Early Diagnosis and Referral, Fed Pract, 2009, 26, 6, 42-49
• Keith MP, O’Brian RJ, The Role of Primary Care Providers in Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis, Part 2 Understanding Response to Treatment, Fed Pract, 2009, 26, 7, 38-47
• Kruszka P, O’Brian R, Diagnosis and Management of Sjögren Syndrome, Am Fam Physician, 2009, 79, 6, 465-470

• Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Fellowship in Rheumatology
• National Naval Medical Center, Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine