Ruth Ann Vleugels, MD, MPH, MBA is a nationally recognized leader in autoimmune connective tissue diseases and innovative dermatologic therapies. She serves as Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Penn Medicine, one of the country’s most influential centers for dermatology research and clinical care.
Dr. Vleugels has dedicated her career to improving outcomes for patients with complex autoimmune skin and connective tissue diseases, including dermatomyositis. She leads multiple clinical programs focused on autoimmune skin disease, connective tissue disease, dermatomyositis, and atopic dermatitis. She also co-directs the Rheumatology Dermatology Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, strengthening care for children with multisystem autoimmune conditions.
A committed educator and mentor, Dr. Vleugels developed and directs the Dermatology Rheumatology Fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the only formal training program of its kind in the nation. Her leadership has helped train the next generation of specialists who care for patients with juvenile myositis and related disorders.
Dr. Vleugels is the immediate past president of the Rheumatologic Dermatology Society and serves on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Dermatology. She previously served as president of the New England Dermatologic Society.
She completed her medical degree at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, holds a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, and earned her Master of Business Administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management.
Dr. Vleugels brings deep expertise in autoimmune disease, multidisciplinary care, and emerging therapies to the Cure JM Medical Advisory Board. Her leadership strengthens Cure JM’s mission to accelerate research, improve clinical care, and support families navigating juvenile myositis.