Rafael Rivas-Chacon, MD - Pediatric Rheumatologist

 

Director, Division of Rheumatology

Rafael Federico Rivas-Chacon, M.D., is board-certified in internal medicine and rheumatology, has been Director of the Rheumatology Division at Nicklaus Children's Hospital since 1989. He is also Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Rheumatology University of Miami, School of Medicine. Since 1990, he has been the Editor, Rheumatology Section of International Pediatrics, the hospital's professional journal.

Dr. Rivas-Chacon is a member of the American Juvenile Arthritis Organization South Florida Branch and co-chairman of the Organizing Committee for Camp Funrise.

A native of El Salvador, Dr. Rivas-Chacon earned his medical degree at the University of El Salvador School of Medicine in San Salvador. After completing a rotating internship, and residencies in general practice and internal medicine in El Salvador, he completed a medical internship and residency at Mount Carmel Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Rivas-Chacon came to Miami in 1986 as a rheumatology fellow at the University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital, and V. A. Medical Center. He then completed a pediatric rheumatology fellowship at Northwestern University, Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

He is a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Rheumatology, and a member of other professional societies. He has published several professional articles, and been involved in a number of research activities.


Brunner, H.I., Akikusa, J.D., ..., Rivas-Chacon, R., et al (2024). Safety and efficacy of tofacitinib for the treatment of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: preliminary results of an open-label, long-term extension study. Annals of the rheumatic diseases, Ahead of print(), . View in Pubmed

Sripawadkul, W., Zein, M., ..., Rivas-Chacon, R., et al (2022). Atypical Conjunctival Lesion as the Initial Presentation of Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis in an Adolescent Male. Cornea, 41(10), 1308-1310. View in Pubmed

Garg, M., de Jesus, AA., Chapelle, D., Dancey, P., Herzog, R., Rivas-Chacon, R., Muskardin, T.L.W., et al (2017). Rilonacept maintains long-term inflammatory remission in patients with deficiency of the IL-1 receptor antagonist. JCI insight, 2(16), pii: 94838. View in Pubmed

Schnellbacher, C., Ciocca, G., Menende,z R., Aksentijevich, I., Goldbach-Mansky, R., Duarte, A.M., Rivas-Chacon, R. (2013). Deficiency of Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist responsive to anakinra. Pediatric Dermatology, 30(6), 758-760. View in Pubmed

Papazian, Ó., Rivas-Chacón, R. (2013). Metabolic myopathies. Revista de Neurologia, 57(Suppl 1), S65-S73. View in Pubmed

Ebrahim, M., Gabay, M., Rivas-Chacon, R.F. (2011). Evidence of acute mycoplasma infection in a patient with incomplete and atypical kawasaki disease: a case report. Case Reports in Medicine, View in Pubmed

Primary Office

Address:
Rafael F. Rivas-Chacon, MD, PA
3200 SW 60 Court #105
Miami, FL 33155
Phone Number:
305-663-8505

Education

Fellowship - Children's Memorial Hospital
Fellowship - Jackson Memorial Hospital
Internship - Mount Carmel Health
Residency - Mount Carmel Health
Medical School - University of El Salvador

Board Certifications

American Board of Internal Medicine - Certified
American Board of Internal Medicine (Rheum) - Certified