Dr. Shoghik Akoghlanian, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University, College of Medicine, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. As a part-time pediatric rheumatologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, she balances clinical care, research, and education. Her primary focus is providing specialized care to children with rheumatic diseases, particularly in the autoinflammatory syndrome “recurrent fever syndromes” and lupus.
In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Akoghlanian is a dedicated clinical educator, committed to training medical students, residents, and fellows. She prioritizes education by developing comprehensive training programs that equip future healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to diagnose and manage complex rheumatic conditions. Her research contributions extend across multiple CARRA workgroups, as well as industry and investigator-initiated international studies.
Dr. Akoghlanian’s path to pediatric rheumatology was shaped by her personal and professional experiences. Born and raised in a small town in Syria as an Armenian minority, she was inspired by her father, a compassionate family physician, to pursue a career in medicine. After immigrating to the United States, her fascination with rare immune diseases—particularly autoinflammatory syndromes—grew stronger. Her personal connection to these diseases deepened after witnessing family members struggle with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), the most common monogenic systemic autoinflammatory disease worldwide.
Since joining CARRA in 2015, Dr. Akoghlanian served as the CARRA Site Principal Investigator from 2015 to 2020. She recalls enrolling her first patient into a CARRA study before she had a research coordinator, handling all aspects of data entry herself which she describes as a fun and great learning experience. Over the years, she has been actively involved in research and collaborative projects. She has contributed to several workgroups, including the PFAPA (Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and Adenitis) and IVIG-resistant Kawasaki Disease groups. More recently, she played a key role in the uveitis workgroup, helping to implement the uveitis Consensus Treatment Plan (CTP) at her center. In 2024, she was elected to serve on the CARRA Ethics Committee.
CARRA has been instrumental in Dr. Akoghlanian’s professional growth, research collaborations, and career development. She values the opportunities CARRA has provided for networking, contributing to consensus treatment plans, and engaging in research with experts in the field. The collaborative nature of CARRA has helped shape her career and has taught her how to continuously learn and conduct meaningful research in pediatric rheumatology.
Beyond her involvement with CARRA, Dr. Akoghlanian has contributed to significant research and clinical advancements. She has served as the site principal investigator for international pharmaceutical trials, helping to advance treatment options for pediatric rheumatic diseases. She has collaborated with colleagues at the Children’s Hospital Genomic Medicine, Genetics, and Immunology Centers to report a newly described autoinflammatory syndrome resembling early-onset Behcet’s disease. She has also collaborated with the National Institutes of Health on the diagnosis and treatment of CANDLE syndrome, an ultra-rare autoinflammatory disorder.
Looking to the future, Dr. Akoghlanian aims to improve the lives of children with rheumatic diseases through personalized care, education, advocacy, and research. She is especially passionate about increasing awareness and early recognition of rare rheumatic diseases. By educating medical students, residents, and primary care providers, she hopes to bridge gaps in healthcare access and ensure timely, effective treatment for all patients, particularly in underserved regions.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Akoghlanian finds balance and joy in spending time with loved ones. She enjoys going on vacations (and staycations) with her family, singing, dancing, and watching her children play sports. She also loves hosting gatherings, cooking, connecting with people, and empowering others in various ways. Exercise and practicing yoga serve as additional sources of rejuvenation for her.
For Dr. Akoghlanian, maintaining a fulfilling and well-rounded life allows her to stay energized and passionate about both her work and her family. Her commitment to patient care, education, and research continues to make a meaningful impact in the field of pediatric rheumatology.
– Bailey Parker, Membership Coordinator
We are thrilled to feature our members! Please submit the name of a CARRA Member you would like to see featured in a future membership announcement and on our social media platforms HERE.