I am a pediatric rheumatologist at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital where I care for children with complex medical conditions such as lupus, juvenile arthritis, dermatomyositis and other autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders.

I was drawn to helping children with rheumatic conditions during my medical training, as I learned about the impact these conditions can have on children and families. I realized that there was a need for doctors to work in this specialty. After 20 years in this field, the work continues to be interesting, challenging and fulfilling.

When working with patients, I spend time listening to their experiences and educating them about their illness. This blend of personalized care and education helps to empower both children and their families to manage their health and illness.

Beyond my clinical work, I love teaching residents and medical students and doing what I can to advance the field and research for pediatric conditions. In addition to publishing and presenting about pediatric rheumatoid care, I have also worked as part of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) registry.

Hospital Affiliations

• Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
• Memorial Hospital Miramar
• Memorial Hospital West
• Memorial Regional Hospital

Gender

• Female

Languages

• Spanish

Education

Universidad Central Del Caribe, 1996

Residency

Nicklaus Children's Hospital, 1999, Pediatrics

Fellowships

Duke Univ Med Ctr, 2002, Pediatric Rheumatology

Certifications

American Board of Pediatrics-Pediatric Rheumatology

Publications

Please view Dr. Maricarmen López Peña’s publications on PubMed.

Presentations

• “Vasculitis alphabet soup: ANCA, KD, AND HSP” – Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Pediatría Scientific meeting, San Juan PR, 2022
• “JIA Update for Pediatritians” – Pediatric Teaching Day AMC, Albany Medical Center, Albany NY, Virtual Seminar, 2020
• “Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: An Update for Pediatricians” – Pediatric Grand Rounds at Nathan Littauer Hospital, Gloversville, NY, 2019
• “Lupus 101: How to recognize a patient with Lupus” – Pediatric Grand Rounds, Albany Medical Center, Albany NY, 2018
• “Update in Pediatric Rheumatology” – GoGo's Pediatric Symposium, Ponce PR, 2017
• “Spondyloarthropathies in Children” – Rheumatology and Adolescent Symposium, San Juan PR, 2017
• “Rheumatology Update 2017” – Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Pediatría Scientific Meeting, San Juan PR, 2017
• “Autoinflammatory Syndromes Review” – Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Pediatria Scientific Meeting CV date: February 17, 2022, 2014
• “Pediatric Rheumatology: what’s new” – Pediatric Summer Bash: convención de verano de la Sociedad Puertorriqueňa de Pediatría, San Juan PR, 2011
• “JRA update – Primer Simposio de Pediatría” – Doctor’s Center Hospital, Manatí, PR, 2010
• “Vasculitis in Childhood”- XV ALAPE – Pediatric Rheumatology Symposium, Convention Center, San Juan, PR, 2009
• “Juvenile Dermatomyositis Update” – ALAPE, Pediatric Rheumatology Symposium, Convention Center, San Juan PR, 2009
• “JRA: Basic Concepts for Pediatricians” – Mayaguez, PR, 2008
• “Rheumatology Update 2007” – Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Pediatría Scientific Meeting, San Juan PR, 2007
• “JRA for Primary Care Physicians” – AMPRE Meeting, San Juan, PR, 2005
• “Myositis in Children” – Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Pediatría Meeting, San Juan PR, 2005
• “Myositis in Children” – AMPRO Meeting, San Juan PR, 2005
• “Fever of Unknown Origin” – Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Pediatría Meeting, San Juan PR, 2005
• “Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis” – Entrevista Radial – Radio Oro, San Juan PR, 2005
• “Enfermedades Reumáticas en Niños” – Entrevista Radial – WKAQ, San Juan PR, 2005
• “Idiopathic Musculoskeletal Pain” – Pediatric Grand Rounds, Miami Children’s Hospital, Miami FL, 2004
• “JRA: Current Therapeutic Concepts” – Pediatric Grand Rounds, Miami Children’s Hospital Miami, FL, 2003
• “JIA Update” – Pediatric Grand Rounds, All Children’s Hospital, St Petersburg, FL, 2002
• “Behcet’s Disease” – Pediatric/Rheumatology Grand Rounds, Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC, 2002
• “Lupus” – Pediatric Grand Rounds, Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC, 2000
• “Laboratories in Rheumatology” – Residents’ Lecture, Duke University Medical Center Durham NC, 2002
• “Laboratories in Rheumatology” – Lecture, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, 2000
• “Cancer or JRA” – Rheumatology Grand Rounds, Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC, 2001

Awards

• Top Doctors of America, New York, 2020
• Arthritis Foundation Commitment to a Cure Medical Honoree, 2018
• Doctor’s Choice Award, Revista Buena Vida, 2010 and 2011
• America’s Top Physicians 2004 Personalidades Distinguidas de Puerto Rico, 2009
• Distinguished Alumni Award Universidad Metropolitana, 2003
• National Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Scholar, 1996
• American Medical Women’s Association, Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Award, 1996
• Lange Medical Publication Award, Top Fourth Year Student in Medical School, 1996
• Lange Medical Publication Award, Top Second-Year Student in Medical School, 1994