Christie Bartels

Dr. Christie Bartels, MD MS, Associate Professor, is a rheumatologist health services and implementation researcher at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Bartels’ research focuses on improving cardiovascular (CV) health and longevity and reducing disparities among patients with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Her work is cited in the US cholesterol guidelines and has led to over 60 peer-reviewed publications. She has successfully developed EHR-supported protocols for rheumatology clinic staff that reduced rates of high blood pressures across 28 thousand visits with population-level blood pressure improvement, reduced racial disparities, and increased rheumatology 26-smoking cessation referrals 26-fold. Recognizing hypertension as a leading risk factor for heart disease which occurs a decade early in SLE, such population approaches aim to improve both rheumatic disease and CV outcomes. Dissemination and Implementation research is underway at Emory/Grady rheumatology and other centers. Bartels’ team also currently investigates care and health outcome disparities in lupus using evidence-based approaches from HIV. Dr. Bartels co-directs the UW K grant writing group and enjoys research mentoring. She has had funding from NIH NIAMS, NIMHD, Rheumatology Research Foundation, and other foundations. She has been an invited reviewer or panelist for the CDC, NIH, National Quality Forum, Rheumatology Research Foundation, and Lupus Foundation of American. She serves on the Arthritis Research and Therapy editorial board and national American College of Rheumatology committees on RHIT Research and Publications and Collaborative Initiatives.