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Harjinder Chowdhary, MBBS, MD

Medical Services Provider

Additional Titles

Co-Director Yale Myositis Clinic, Rheumatology

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About

Clinician Educator- Rheumatologist with Special clinical interest in Myositis Polymyositis,Dermatomyositis and AntiSynthetase Syndrome -myositis antibodies causing lung inflammation

Titles

Medical Services Provider

Co-Director Yale Myositis Clinic, Rheumatology

Biography

I am a clinical rheumatologist and educator. I did my medical school from top 2 medical schools in India then I did internal medicine practice for 13 years and I have been doing rheumatology in USA for last 20 years. I like to understand my patients, my background in Medicine helps me in doing detective work to solve complex rheumatological problems and rheumatology is my passion. Through the years, I have developed special interest in inflammatory Myopathy. I do a specialized clinic in Myositis at Yale and also focus on conditions can cause muscle and lung inflammation like Polymyositis, Antisynthetase syndrome and dermatomyositis. This field has become complex due to recent detection of certain antibodies called myositis antibodies which can cause complex manifestations and heterogeneity. I also work with other specialists in pulmonary, neurology, dermatology and we are trying to develop a comprehensive program for care of our patients.

I love to share my knowledge and teach. I have been very active in teaching fellows at Yale and other physicians. I was coach for Yale Knowledge Bowl team and we won Gold Medal at national American College of Rheumatology meetingin Nov 24.I like to spend time with my pomeranian dog named Nala and enjoy golf. My motto is Care with Compassion and I always try to do my best for my patients.

Last Updated on March 06, 2025.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

FELLOWSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER (2006)
Residency
Morristown Memorial Hospital, UMDNJ (2004)
MD
Armed Forces Medical College, Residency Medicine (1995)
Residency
Armed Forces, Medical School (1995)
MBBS
Armed Forces Medical College, MEDICAL SCHOOL (1987)

Research

Overview

I am a Physician partner with Pittsburg Rheumatology in MINT Study looking into role of antifibrotics in Anti Synthetase Syndrome.Also part of study group looking at CART T therapy in Myositis and autoimmune conditions


Research at a Glance

Publications Timeline

A big-picture view of Harjinder Chowdhary's research output by year.
10Publications
15Citations

Publications

2017

2016

2013

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

Activities

  • activity

    CT Rheumatology Assocation

  • activity

    AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY

  • activity

    CT Myositis patient support group

  • activity

    Yale Rheumatology

  • activity

    CT MYOSITIS SUPPORT GROUP

Honors

  • honor

    Top Rheumatology Doctors Award

  • honor

    Yale Knowledge Bowl Champions National award -Gold Medal Yale Team Coach

  • honor

    Knowledge Bowl champions -GOLD MEDAL Yale Team coach

  • honor

    Fellowship Teaching Award -Attending Faculty of the Year

  • honor

    Resident of the Year Award

Teaching & Mentoring

I love to teach

Mentoring

  • Blerta Green, MD

    Rheumaology Fellow
    2024 - Present
  • Nathan Johnson, MD/PhD

    rheumatology fellow
    2023 - Present
  • Krishnasai Abhishek Madathanapalli

    Rheumatology fellow
    2023 - 2025
  • Mario David Felix, MD/MHS

    Rheumatology fellow
    2023 - 2025

Clinical Care

Overview

Harjinder Chowdhary, MD, is a rheumatologist who specializes in myositis, a condition characterized by muscle inflammation.

He also addresses related conditions such as polymyositis (which causes muscle weakness, particularly in the muscles closest to the body's core), dermatomyositis (like polymyositis but also involves a distinctive skin rash), and antisynthetase syndrome (which can lead to inflammation in the muscles and lungs).

Dr. Chowdhary believes that rheumatology is one of the most fascinating specialties due to its diagnostic challenges. “Rheumatology is my passion, and my background in medicine helps me in doing detective work to solve complex problems. I like to understand my patients, and I will always care for them with compassion,” he says.”

He enjoys teaching and has received multiple teaching awards. He was coach of Yale Rheumatology, which won a gold medal at the 2024 American College of Rheumatology meeting in Washington D.C., in which the top 18 rheumatology programs competed.

Dr. Chowdhary earned his medical degree from the Armed Forces Medical College in India. He completed his residency in medicine at both the Armed Forces Medical College and Morristown Memorial Hospital, followed by a fellowship in rheumatology at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Clinical Specialties

Rheumatology

Board Certifications

  • Internal Medicine

    Certification Organization
    AB of Internal Medicine
    Original Certification Date
    2004
  • Rheumatology

    Certification Organization
    AB of Internal Medicine
    Original Certification Date
    2004

Yale Medicine News

Get In Touch

Contacts

Appointment Number
Mailing Address

Rheumatology

300 ORCHARD STEEET SUITE 300

NEW HAVEN, CT 06511

United States