Dr. Nora Singer takes the helm as Director of the UA Arthritis Center
The University of Arizona Arthritis Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Nora G. Singer, MD, as its new director.
A nationally recognized rheumatologist, physician-scientist, and educator, Dr. Singer brings decades of experience in patient care, translational research, clinical trials, and academic leadership to the University of Arizona. She joins the College of Medicine – Tucson following a distinguished career at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, where she served as Director of the Division of Rheumatology and most recently as Clinical Science Director of the MetroHealth Research Institute.
In addition to serving as Director of the Arthritis Center, Dr. Singer will serve as Chief of the Division of Rheumatology, and will hold the Charles A. L. and Suzanne M. Stephens Endowed Chair in Rheumatology.
Dr. Singer succeeds C. Kent Kwoh, MD, MACR, who led the University of Arizona Arthritis Center from 2013 to 2025, overseeing significant growth in research, education, and clinical care. Building on that strong foundation, Dr. Singer will lead the Center's continued efforts to advance innovative research, expand clinical trials, strengthen physician training, and improve the lives of individuals living with arthritis and autoimmune diseases.
Throughout her career, Dr. Singer has dedicated her work to advancing the understanding and treatment of rheumatic diseases. Her research interests include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's disease, immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, translational immunology, and regenerative medicine. She has led and collaborated on numerous National Institutes of Health and foundation funded studies and has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications.
In addition to her research accomplishments, Dr. Singer has been an active leader in national rheumatology organizations, including the American College of Rheumatology, the Arthritis Foundation, and the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA). She has served on numerous national committees, chaired grant review panels, and is widely recognized for her commitment to mentorship, education, and clinical research.
Dr. Singer earned her bachelor's degree from Union College and her medical degree from Albany Medical College, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed a combined residency in internal medicine and pediatrics, followed by fellowships in adult and pediatric rheumatology at the University of Michigan Medical Center. She is board certified in adult and pediatric rheumatology.
As director, Dr. Singer will oversee the Arthritis Center's multidisciplinary programs in research, education, and patient care while helping shape the future of arthritis and autoimmune disease research at the University of Arizona.