Comprehensive Sarcoidosis Treatment & Care

Sarcoidosis is a complex disease that often affects more than one organ. A patient may need to see a team of experts to receive the best care for their condition. That team is at VCU Health. 

The VCU Health Multidisciplinary Sarcoidosis Clinic is the only treatment center of its kind in Virginia. This integrative clinic offers a unique patient experience by allowing you to meet with all clinical specialists during one appointment. Clear communication between providers is essential to the diagnosis and management of this complex disease - our team of experts is committed to collaborating with referring physicians to assist in effective treatment plans.

What is Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is a disease that causes your immune system to overreact, which can lead to health issues. It can cause lung damage, skin rashes and eye disease, as well as affect other organs of the body. The disease causes clusters of inflamed tissue (granulomas) to form in your body and lymph nodes (part of the immune system).

No one is sure what causes sarcoidosis. It most commonly affects your lungs, but it can affect any organ in your body. Sarcoidosis affects men and women of all ages and races. It occurs mostly in people ages 20 to 50, African Americans, especially women, and people of Northern European origin.

Many patients never have symptoms, and the disease is diagnosed only because a chest x-ray is taken for another reason. In most of these cases, the disease improves by itself. However, your overactive immune system may lead to problems with different organs of the body and lead to cough, shortness of breath, night sweats, joint pain and fatigue.

One Appointment. One Team.

We offer a unique patient experience at VCU Health by allowing you to meet with all of our specialists at one time. Our team of doctors, all with expertise in sarcoidosis, includes specialists in pulmonology, cardiology, neurology, electrophysiology and rheumatology. This team-based approach to diagnosis and care benefits you by providing coordinated care and keeping you well informed about the disease and treatment options.

And our clinic, conveniently located in Stony Point, offers a single location where you can see our doctors.

Call Us

Call (804) 560-8921 or (800) 762-6161 toll free, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to schedule an appointment. Open to suspected sarcoidosis (diagnosis not required).

What We Offer

• Individualized patient care with access to a team of specialists, with the goal of managing sarcoidosis and improving your quality of life
• Advanced testing, including diagnostic bronchoscopy techniques, electrophysiology, and radiologic imaging
• Clinical trials and access to the latest research to understand the disease process of sarcoidosis, paving the way to life-changing treatments and therapies for you

WASOG Sarcoidosis Center of Excellence

We are the only provider in Virginia to achieve the Center of Excellence status given by the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSA) and World Association for Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG). Our program is also one of 25 in the world. To have this recognition, our program must serve the unique needs of sarcoidosis patients. We must have a multidisciplinary team of specialized caregivers with a shared specialized facility. Our program must be proven to be long-lasting. It must provide leadership, best practices, research, support for patients and training for professionals.

Learn more about WASOG Sarcoidosis Centers of Excellence

See a list of FSA and WASOG recognized clinics

Our Providers

Kelly Gwathmey M.D., neurologist
Thomas Iden, M.D., pulmonologist 
Jordana Kron, M.D., cardiologist
Vaishali Patel, M.D., gastroenterologist
Aamer Syed, M.D., pulmonologist
Huzaefah Syed, M.D., rheumatologist
Dana Alderson, N.P.
Kelly Polly, R.N. 

Helpful Resources

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research