Kaleo Ede, MD
Program Director
Dr. Kaleo Ede, currently serving as the Program Director for the Phoenix Children's Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship Program, brings a comprehensive background in pediatric rheumatology, marked by significant clinical and research achievements. His professional journey is rooted in a solid academic foundation, having completed a Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles and an Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency Program at Phoenix Hospitals Program. Dr. Ede is actively involved in teaching as a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at The University of Arizona and an Assistant Clinical Professor at Creighton University.
His research contributions are extensive, focusing on various aspects of pediatric rheumatology, including studies on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, pediatric vasculitis, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Dr. Ede leads as a principal investigator in several multicenter studies and is recognized for his work with innovative screening methods in inflammatory eye disease.
Throughout his career, Dr. Ede has been acknowledged for his leadership and service, receiving multiple awards and consistently being named “Top Doctor” in Phoenix Magazine. He also actively contributes to the community and professional societies, demonstrating a commitment to improving patient care and outcomes in pediatric rheumatology.
Michael Shishov, MD
Division Chief/Core Faculty
Dr. Michael Shishov serves as the Division Chief of Pediatric Rheumatology at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, a role he has held since 2006. His extensive education began with a B.A. in General Science Psychology from Brandeis University, followed by an M.D. from the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. Further enhancing his expertise, Dr. Shishov completed a Pediatric Residency at New York University Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital and a Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He also holds a Masters in Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health.
Professionally, Dr. Shishov has been recognized multiple times as “Top Doctor” by Phoenix Magazine and US News and World Report Magazine. He actively contributes to the pediatric rheumatology field through leadership roles in various research and clinical improvement networks, including the Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group and the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance. He has a strong focus on improving care standards and has participated in numerous drug studies, emphasizing his commitment to advancing pediatric rheumatology treatments.
Dr. Shishov's commitment to medical education and patient care is evident in his scholarly activities, which include numerous publications in reputable journals and significant contributions to medical conferences and seminars. His leadership extends to community service, where he has been involved with the Arthritis Foundation and various committees at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Elisa Wershba, MD
Core Faculty
Dr. Elisa C. Wershba is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Arizona College of Medicine—Phoenix and serves as a Pediatric Rheumatologist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. She completed her medical education at George Washington University School of Medicine, followed by a Pediatric Residency at Phoenix Children’s Hospital/Maricopa Medical Center and a Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. Additionally, Dr. Wershba holds a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In her academic role, she has been an active participant in teaching and mentoring, presenting on various topics in pediatric rheumatology. Her clinical expertise is supplemented by her involvement in consulting through the Arista MD e-consult service and her board certifications in both Rheumatology and Pediatrics.
Dr. Wershba's commitment to her field is further demonstrated by her contributions to professional societies and her leadership roles, including serving on the Arizona Arthritis Foundation Leadership Board of Directors and directing the Pediatric Rheumatology resident clerkship at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. She has been recognized for her contributions to rheumatology with awards such as the Walk to Cure Arthritis Rheumatology Medical Honoree and Phoenix Magazine's Top Doc Award.
Her research activities include serving as the principal investigator in studies focused on medication adherence in adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus and involvement in significant publications in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Wershba's community involvement spans significant volunteer work and advocacy in health education, emphasizing her comprehensive approach to healthcare and education.