Clarissa Pilkington, MD

Consultant in Adolescent and Paediatric Rheumatology, University College and Great Ormond Street Hospitals since Sept 2001. Led the rheumatology team at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH 2004-18), appointed as Chief of Service for Blood Cells and Cancer Directorate in October 2018. Past President of the British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology (BSPAR) 2012-2017, oversaw the integration with the adult organisation of British Society of Rheumatology to become an organisation representing rheumatology at all ages. 

 Appointed to Quality Assurance post for the Paediatric Rheumatology training committee (CSAC) of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2017. Appointed as the representative for London and for Paediatric Rheumatology on the Paediatric Medicine CRG in 2016. Prior to that, seconded to help write the original Service Specification for Paediatric Rheumatology and to develop its dashboard. At present, leading on the review of the Service Specification and dashboard. 

Clinical research on Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Set up the UK JDM Registry study, as well as being involved in international research on disease activity and damage scores, diagnostic criteria, treatment protocols, and clinical trials. Continue to be Clinical Lead of Juvenile Dermatomyositis Research Centre, ICH since 2002; and was Chair of Dermatomyositis Group of Paediatric Rheumatology European Society 2004-10. Interests include musculoskeletal pain affecting genetic conditions, including Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.