Ekemini Ogbu MD MSc FAAP
CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S
Dr. Ekemini Ogbu is a board-certified pediatric rheumatologist and physician-scientist specializing in rheumatologic autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions in children. She is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center/University of Cincinnati. She is the Director of Neuroinflammatory Disease Services in Rheumatology, and the co-Director of the Cincinnati Children’s Lupus Center.
Dr. Ogbu strives to provide compassionate care. Her philosophy is to “treat the child with a disease” and not focus on treating the disease alone. Having a rare disease is often isolating and challenging. She believes children and families should be supported through their journey. By providing a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to managing her patients, she aims to achieve the best possible outcomes. She believes in partnering with her patients and families and the primary care provider.
Her research includes clinical and translational studies to improve outcomes for childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). In particular, she is studying how we can identify cSLE early and predict risks of severe outcomes. She also studies how lupus affects the brain and nervous system, and its association with blood disorders such as antiphospholipid syndrome.
Throughout her career, she has been honored to receive several academic awards and recognitions. She was recognized as a Top Doctor by Baltimore Magazine in 2020.
Dr. Ogbu currently serve on the Pediatric Rheumatology Special Committee of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). She the co-chair of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Pediatric Residents Program. She serves on the advisory council of the Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group (PRCSG).
Dr. Ogbu currently serves on the Pediatric Rheumatology Committee of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). She serves on the advisory council of the Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group (PRCSG).
Learn about the Cincinnati Children's neuroinflammatory center where Dr. Ogbu is also involved.
Why are you involved with AE Alliance?
Autoimmune encephalitis includes a spectrum of often devastating disorders affecting both children and adults. We are still working on understanding these disorders, how best to treat them, how to support patients and families affected and impacted by these disorders, and how to improve long-term outcomes. I am part of the AEA because the alliance provides a broad and supportive network for patients/families, clinicians and researchers focused on improving outcomes for autoimmune encephalitis through various initiatives. As a pediatric rheumatologist, in conjunction with neurology colleagues, I care for patients with antibody- positive, and Sero-negative
autoimmune encephalitis, and patients with rheumatologic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus that affect the brain and other parts of the nervous system. Furthermore, my research focuses on neuroinflammation. Serving on the board of the AEA is a privilege that allows me support new and ongoing initiatives that would further advance clinical care, research and advocacy for autoimmune encephalitis and related neuro-rheumatologic diseases.