Children's Rheumatology

Full-spectrum care for childhood arthritis and rheumatic disorders

The pediatric rheumatology team at Inova Children’s provides children with childhood arthritis and other rheumatic illnesses access to comprehensive evaluation and care. From diagnosis to education, treatment, and follow-up care; our team specializes in understanding the unique symptoms that occur in children and creating tailored treatment plans for each family. We partner with families, pediatricians, schools, and other involved specialists to make sure every child with arthritis or a rheumatic disorder can function at their best.

Inova Children's Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases Specialists

Medical Director

Bita Arabshahi, MD

Bita Arabshahi, MD, is a board-certified physician in Pediatric Rheumatology and Pediatrics. She received her medical degree from the University of Washington (1999), completed her residency in pediatrics at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, and completed her fellowship training in pediatric rheumatology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Her clinical areas of interest include juvenile arthritis, lupus, myositis, auto inflammatory disorders. She became a doctor because she enjoys building relationships with patients to help them improve their quality of life. She chose pediatric rheumatology because she loves kids and caring for patients with rare and chronic illnesses.

She has received the Inova Fairfax Hospital Resident Teaching Award (2008-Present), as well as "Top Docs" recognition from Northern Virginia Magazine, Virginia Living Magazine, and Washingtonian Magazine.

Dr. Arabshahi grew up in Seattle. In her free time she enjoys hiking, yoga, pilates, doing arts and crafts with her kids, and volunteering at the Iranian cultural educational center and her children’s school. She speaks English and Farsi.

Emily Way, MD

Emily E. Way, MD, is board certified in Pediatric Rheumatology and Pediatrics. She received her medical degree from Penn State College of Medicine (2008).

Dr. Way completed her pediatric residency at the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital, and completed her fellowship training in Pediatric Rheumatology at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (UPMC).

Daniel Ibanez, MD

Dr. Daniel Ibanez is a specialty care physician board certified in general pediatrics and pediatric rheumatology. He joined Inova in 2024 and has been practicing since 2005. Dr. Ibanez specializes in caring for children who have arthritis, vasculitis, lupus, dermatomyositis, chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis, mixed connective tissue disease, Kawasaki disease, fever syndromes and other autoimmune disorders.

Prior to joining Inova, Dr. Ibanez completed his clinical fellowship in pediatric rheumatology at Boston Children’s Hospital – Harvard School of Medicine in Boston.

Pediatric rheumatology physicians at Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital

From initial diagnosis through treatments leading to remission, we offer every service needed to effectively manage the rheumatic disorders of children and adolescents.

Conditions diagnosed, managed and treated by the Inova Children's Pediatric Rheumatology include:

Amplified pain disorders
Autoinflammatory disorders
Chronic pain symptoms
Connective tissue disorders
Juvenile dermatomyositis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Scleroderma
Vasculitis

Inpatient consultative services, arthrocentesis and infusion therapies are also available at Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital.

Rheumatology therapies available:

Disease modifying anti-rheumatic medications that curb the inflammation of some types of arthritis
Biologic therapies
Intra-articular corticosteroid injections, or steroids injected directly into inflamed joints
Medication administered via intravenous (IV) infusion
Referral to physical and occupational therapy
Opportunities to participate in research studies

Our team includes pediatric rheumatologists, nurses, and other specialists and therapists, as needed by each child. We believe that families should be able to access as many services as possible in a central location while offering follow-up care in conveniently located clinics. We focus on providing family-centered care to meet the needs of children with rheumatic illnesses in the best way possible.