Dr. Lisa Sammaritano joined Hospital for Special Surgery in 1988, when she began her fellowship in rheumatic diseases. She maintains a clinical practice and conducts clinical research focused on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) and reproductive health issues in rheumatology patients. She is the lead author for the 2020 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Management of Reproductive Health in Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, and is the Director of the Rheumatology Reproductive Health Program of the Barbara Volcker Center for Women and Rheumatic Diseases.
Barbara Volcker Center for Women and Rheumatic Diseases
Lupus and APS Center of Excellence
Rheumatology Reproductive Health Program
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Pregnancy and rheumatic diseases
Reproductive health in rheumatic diseases
Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
If your insurance is not listed, please call our office if you have questions regarding your insurance coverage. If you have out-of-network benefits, then your insurance may reimburse you for a portion of your office visit. We will work with you and your insurance to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. Financial assistance may be available for patients in need.
Attending Physician, Hospital for Special Surgery
Professor of Clinical Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine
Internal Medicine, 1988
Rheumatology, 1990
Castle Connolly Top Doctor - 5 Years
Castle Connolly Top Doctors in New York Metro Area, 2016-2022
Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, 2015-2020
New York Magazine Top Doctors, 2016, 2018, 2021-2022
Woman of Achievement: Leader in Healthcare Award, SLE Foundation, 2014
Rheumatology Change Maker, American College of Rheumatology, 2021
Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
BA, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1981
MD, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, 1985
Residency: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, Internal Medicine, 1985-88
Fellowship: Hospital for Special Surgery – Weill Cornell Medicine, Rheumatology, 1988-91
English
Use of estrogen in systemic lupus:
Systemic lupus patients were traditionally counselled to avoid exogenous estrogens due to presumed risk of lupus flare; this concern was based on animal studies, in vitro experiments and isolated case reports. I was one of the investigators that originated and designed a multicenter study that evolved into the SELENA study (Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus – National Assessment). Patients were entered into one of two studies, the first evaluated estrogen-progesterone oral contraceptives in reproductive-aged women with lupus, and the second evaluated hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal lupus patients. These two studies demonstrated a minimal risk of flare with exogenous estrogen in stable lupus patients without antiphospholipid antibodies.
Buyon JP, Petri MA, Kim MY, Kalunian KC, Grossman J, Hahn BH, Merrill JT, Sammaritano L, Lockshin M, Alarcon GS, Manzi S, Belmont HM, Askanase AD, Sigler L, Dooley MA, Von Feldt J, McCune WJ, Friedman A, Wachs J, Cronin M, Hearth-Holmes M, Tan M, Licciardi F. The effect of combined estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 2005;142(12):953-62.
Petri M, Kim MY, Kalunian KC, Grossman J, Hahn BH, Sammaritano L, Lockshin M, Merrill JT, Belmont HM, Askanase AD, McCune WJ, Hearth-Holmes M, Dooley MA, Von Feldt J, Friedman A, Tan M, Davis J, Cronin M, Diamond B, Mackay M, Sigler MA, Fillius M, Rupel A, Buyon JP. Combined oral contraceptives in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. N Engl J Med 2005; 353(24):2550-8.
Athersclerosis in women with lupus:
Women with lupus have been demonstrated to have earlier onset of atherosclerotic disease and etiology of this has been debated. Factors such as prolonged corticosteroid use, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia are more common in SLE and may contribute to early and severe atherosclerosis. A cohort of women with SLE at Hospital for Special Surgery were evaluated with detailed laboratory and serologic testing, carotid doppler ultrasound and echocardiography and analysis of these data confirmed an independent effect of SLE on atherosclerotic risk
Roman MJ, Shanker BA, Davis A, Lockshin MD, Sammaritano L, Simantov R, Crow MK, Schwartz JE, Paget SA, Devereux RB, Salmon JE. Prevalence and correlates of accelerated atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus. New Eng J Med 2003; 349(25):2399-406.
Lupus and Antiphospholipid Syndrome pregnancy outcomes:
Patients with SLE have higher risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes than do those in the general population. Concerns include increased risk of lupus flare, progression of renal disease, and increased rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, preeclampsia and eclampsia, preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction. The PROMISSE study Predictors of Pregnancy Outcome: Biomarkers in Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome and Systemic Lupus) is a multicenter observational study of women with SLE and aPL antibody; goals included identification of clinical risk factors and determination of possible biomarkers for poor outcome. Results have identified important clinical risk factors (including lupus anticoagulant and disease activity) as well as demonstrated biomarkers that are associated with adverse outcome.
Lockshin MD, Kim M, Laskin C, Guerra M, Branch DW, Merrill J, Petri M, Porter F, Sammaritano L, Stephenson MD, Buyon J, Salmon JE. Lupus anticoagulant, but not anticardiolipin antibody, predicts adverse pregnancy outcome in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. Arthritis Rheum 2012; 64(7):2311-8.
Buyon JP, Kim MY, Guerra MM, Laskin CA, Petri M, Lockshin MD, Sammaritano L, Branch DW, Porter TF, Sawitzke A, Merrill JT, Stephenson MD, Cohn E, Garabet L, Salmon JE. Predictors of pregnancy outcomes in patients with lupus: a cohort study. Ann Int Med 2015; 163(3):153-63.
American College of Rheumatology Reproductive Health Guideline:
Patient with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) face significant challenges in management of reproductive health, from choice of contraception to planning and management of pregnancy. The American College of Rheumatology has recognized this and developed an evidence-based clinical guideline to aid rheumatologists in assessing and co-managing reproductive health needs for these patients.
Sammaritano LR, Bermas BL, Chakravarty EE, Chambers C, Clowse ME, Lockshin MD, Marder W, Guyatt G, Branch DW, Buyon J, Christopher‐Stine L. 2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of reproductive health in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Arthritis Care & Research. 2020 Apr;72(4):461-88.
HSS has a long history of supporting appropriate relationships with industry because they advance HSS's mission to provide the highest quality patient care, improve patient mobility, and enhance the quality of life for all, and to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and their related disciplines through research and education.
Below are the healthcare industry relationships reported by Dr. Sammaritano as of May 27, 2024.
American College of Rheumatology (ACR) - Honoraria
HSS and its physicians make this information available to patients and the public, thus creating a transparent environment for those who are interested in this information. Further, the HSS Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy prohibits physicians from collecting royalties on products they develop that are used on patients at HSS.
Patients should feel free to ask their HSS physicians questions about these relationships.
