MUSC Scleroderma Center Earns National Distinction for Excellence in Care and Research

The MUSC Scleroderma Center has been officially recognized as a Designated Scleroderma Research and Treatment Center by the National Scleroderma Foundation—an honor held by only a select group of institutions across the country. It is the only center in South Carolina to receive this designation, highlighting MUSC’s national leadership in both cutting-edge research and compassionate, multidisciplinary care.

Scleroderma is a rare and complex autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 300,000 people in the U.S., predominantly women between the ages of 30 and 50. The condition causes inflammation and fibrosis, which can lead to hardening of the skin and internal organs, resulting in symptoms that range from cosmetic disfigurement to life-threatening organ dysfunction.

At MUSC, treating scleroderma isn’t just about managing symptoms—it’s about advancing the science. Under the leadership of Richard Silver, M.D., Distinguished University Professor in the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, the center is recognized for its decades-long dedication to research, education, and patient-centered care.

“This designation reaffirms our dedication to providing exceptional care and driving innovative research in scleroderma,” said Dr. Silver. “Our expert team is committed to making meaningful advancements in treatment and enhancing the quality of life for our patients.”

What makes MUSC’s approach stand out is its comprehensive, team-based care model. Because scleroderma can affect nearly every major organ system, patients at MUSC are treated by a collaborative team of specialists—rheumatologists, pulmonologists, cardiologists, dermatologists, and gastroenterologists—who are deeply experienced in the complexities of the disease.

The center also serves as a hub for translational research, where discoveries in the lab inform real-time treatment options for patients. Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Ph.D., and other MUSC scientists are currently exploring new anti-fibrotic therapies and studying the genetic and epigenetic factors that drive disease progression.

As a newly designated Scleroderma Research and Treatment Center, MUSC is expanding its mission to include greater community outreach, professional education, and support for patients and families navigating this unpredictable disease.

“We’re fortunate to have world-class researchers and clinicians here who’ve dedicated their careers to understanding this illness,” Dr. Silver said. “Being named a designated center is not just a milestone—it’s a motivator to push even harder.”

For patients living with scleroderma—or those newly diagnosed—this recognition offers reassurance: world-class care, cutting-edge research, and hope for the future are right here in South Carolina.

👉 Learn more about our scleroderma services and how to make an appointment.

👉 For more information on our scleroderma research efforts, please email sclerodermaresearch@musc.edu.