James Schiff Topilow, MD

James Schiff Topilow, M.D., RhMSUS, has recently joined Hackensack Meridian Medical Group's Center for Rheumatology. Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Dr. Topilow is excited to return home after over a decade of education and training in the mid-Atlantic. Prior to joining HMH Dr. Topilow completed a rigorous fellowship in Rheumatology at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. During his training, he has been recognized for his professionalism, teaching acumen and humanism through various awards, including the Dunn Award, the Leonard Tow Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award, and the Exemplary Professional Resident Award.

He has worked in clinical research studying Lupus, the recently discovered VEXAS syndrome, and musculoskeletal ultrasound, an increasingly valuable tool in rheumatology. Furthermore, Dr. Topilow successfully completed the USSONAR national program and gained RhMSUS certification in the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound during his fellowship. With his expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasound, Dr. Topilow will provide real-time imaging in a non-invasive and safe way to better detect synovitis (inflammation of the joint lining), effusions (fluid accumulation), erosions (bone damage), and many other structural changes.

Dr. Topilow prioritizes patient-centered care rather than focusing solely on the disease. Accordingly, he equips his patients with comprehensive knowledge about their rheumatic conditions. With his specialization in musculoskeletal ultrasound, his patients will be involved in the examination process: They will be able to see and further understand their condition, and thereby better participate in treatment decisions.

He is an active member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, the Gold Humanism Honor Society, and the Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest within the American College of Rheumatology.

Dr. Topilow diagnoses and treats a variety of conditions, and provides expert care in the following areas:

• Myositis
• Scleroderma
• Vasculitis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Crystalline inflammatory arthritis (such as gout and pseudogout)
• Spondyloarthritis
• Sjogren's Disease
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Osteoporosis
• Ultrasound guided joint aspirations and corticosteroid injections of small and large joints
• Tendon shealth injections