Dr. Cynthia Salvant is a rarity in New York City healthcare. In fact, she is a rarity in American healthcare. Dr. Salvant is a pediatric rheumatologist, one of only 350 in the entire US. She joined Ryan Health | Women and Children’s in June 2023.
Rheumatologists diagnose and treat autoimmune diseases that impact joints, muscles, and bones. These diseases cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. Autoimmune diseases can also affect the eyes, skin, nervous system, and internal organs.
Often, pediatric patients will come to Dr. Salvant through referrals from other physicians when they have reached a dead end on their diagnoses.
“We’re like Dr. House on that old TV show,” Dr. Salvant says. “Other pediatricians refer patients to us when they can’t figure out the problem.”
Dr. Salvant was born and raised in New York. She received her Medical Degree at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. She also holds a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences and immunology from Long Island University and a Bachelor's from Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY.
Dr. Salvant completed her internship and residency training at Cohen Children’s Medical Center | Northwell Health in Queens, NY, then conducted her Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA.
As a pediatric rheumatologist, Dr. Salvant treats diseases like juvenile arthritis and lupus.
“Lupus, juvenile arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases are complex, chronic diseases, especially for children,” Dr. Salvant says. “They are generally rare, although they’re common enough that specialists like me are necessary to ensure proper diagnosis and care are given.”
About 300,000 kids aged 16 and under in the US have juvenile arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. There is no cure for it, and the exact causes of it are unknown. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that about 6,000 children and adolescents are living with lupus, which has few treatment options and no cure.
In addition to arthritis and lupus, Dr. Salvant also sees patients with Lyme disease and those with pain syndrome, in which the patient feels pain but has no physical symptoms. Pain syndrome cannot be treated with medication.
“I love the science of rheumatology and being able to care for chronic and complex diseases,” she says.
