About
Personal Statement
" As rheumatologists, we want to see patients with new onset rheumatoid arthritis ideally as soon as possible.Patients often don’t get to us for four to six months after their symptoms have been identified. The longer they wait, the higher the chance damage will occur ."
Specialties and Expertise
Specialties
- Rheumatology
Expertise
- Inflammatory Arthritis
- Arthrocentesis of Minor Joint
- Arthrocentesis of Large Joint
Biography
Dr. Bykerk has an active clinical practice and works with patients with a variety of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, and autoimmune ophthalmic illnesses. Her work emphasizes the Hospital for Special Surgery Inflammatory Arthritis Center’s aim to ensure that patients have access to the care they need.
With a patient care focus on the importance of proper diagnosis, particularly in the early stages of inflammatory arthritis, which may prevent serious, lifelong arthritic complications. Dr. Bykerk notes that if detected and treated in its early stages, the effects of inflammatory arthritis can be greatly diminished.
Dr. Vivian Bykerk is a member of a team of specialists at the Inflammatory Arthritis Center at Hospital for Special Surgery. The Center includes a dedicated inflammatory arthritis clinic, extensive arthritis registries, scientific studies focused on musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases, a physician education program, and most importantly, an emphasis on providing quality health care to patients.
Dr. Bykerk brings an extensive knowledge base and experience in rheumatology. She completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and spent two years as a Rheumatology Fellow at McGill University, in Montreal, Quebec. Dr. Bykerk received the Senior Rheumatology Scholar Award in 1989 presented by the American College of Rheumatology for her research in lupus. She served as the Director of the Early Arthritis Program at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada and comes to Hospital for Special Surgery from Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, where she was in the Division of Rheumatology. She has been in rheumatology practice for over 20 years.
Research
Honors and Awards
Honors and Awards
Recognized by the International Association of Healthcare Professionals as a Doctor of Excellence,
Inducted into 2013 Edition of Leading Physicians of the World Publication, 2013
Senior Rheumatology Scholar Award presented by the American College of Rheumatology, 1989
Canadian Arthritis Society Fellowship, 1985-1987
Winner, Mount Sinai Hospital Clinical Research Competition, 1985
Cystic Fibrosis Research Grant, 1977
Governor's Scholarship, McMaster University, 1974
Ontario Scholarship, 1974
Credentials
Board Certifications
- Fellow Royal College of Physicians, Canada
- Fellow Royal College of Physicians, Canada
Clinical and Academic Positions
- Attending Physician - Hospital for Special Surgery
- Attending Physician - NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
- Professor of Medicine - Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
Education and Training
- M.D., McMaster University, Faculty of Medicine (Canada), 1981
- B.Sc., McMaster University (Canada), 1978
Insurance
Insurance Plans Accepted
For relevant information regarding accepted insurances, please contact this provider directly.
Locations and Appointments
External Relationships
External Relationships
Relationships and collaborations with for-profit and not-for profit organizations are of vital importance to our faculty because these exchanges of scientific information foster innovation. As experts in their fields, WCM physicians and scientists are sought after by many organizations to consult and educate. WCM and its faculty make this information available to the public, thus creating a transparent environment.
No External Relationships Reported