Megan Curran, MD

Associate Professor, Pediatrics-Rheumatology

FacultyPhoto

Website

Medical School
  • MD, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (2003)
Undergraduate School
  • BA, Stanford University (CA) (1996)
Residency
  • Miami Children's Hospital Program, Pediatrics (2006)
Fellowships
  • University of California (San Francisco) School of Medicine Program, Pediatric Rheumatology (2009)
Languages
English, Spanish
Department
Pediatrics-Rheumatology

Professional Titles

  • Fellowship Director, Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Co-chair, Department of Pediatrics Committee on Fellowship Education
  • Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Colorado
  • Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Northwestern University

Recognitions

  • Denver's Top Doctors 2023, 5280 Magazine and Castle Connolly (2023)

Research Interests

I am a member of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA). We enroll eligible and interested patients with various rheumatic diseases into CARRA's registry and treatment studies. I am a co-leader in developing a research registry for our juvenile myositis patients at the University of Colorado. I also have a scholarly interest in medical education, specifically competency based education and assessment at the pediatric fellowship level, and participate in national research projects about pediatric fellowship education.

Publications

  • Langhan ML, Boyer DL, Hsu D, Moffatt ME, Pitts SA, Atlas MP, Aye T, Chess P, Curran ML, Czaja AS, Dammann CEL, Fussell J, George RP, Herman BE, High P, James SH, Kamin DS, Karnik R, Kesselheim J, Lopez MA, Mahan JD, McFadden V, McGann KA, Mehta JJ, Rama J, Robinson BW, Sauer C, Stafford DEJ, Turner DA, Weiss P, Yussman SM, Schwartz A, Mink R. Implementing Entrustable Professional Activities in Pediatric Fellowships: Facilitating the Process. Pediatrics. 2024 Jun 1;153(6). PubMed PMID: 38757175
  • Liptzin DR, Cole L, Schulte G, Curtis D, Curran ML, Alehashemi S, Goldbach-Mansky R, Galambos C, Deutsch G, Weinman JP. Savvy About SAVI. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2024 Sep 1;210(5):e1-e3. PubMed PMID: 38631032
  • Perron MM, Ziniel SI, Curran M, Bloom JL, Vega-Fernandez P, Benham H, Torralba K, De Ranieri D, Lin C. Needs Assessment of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Training in North American Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship Programs. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2024 Aug;76(8):1116-1120. PubMed PMID: 38558292
  • Brandling-Bennett HA, Arkin LM, Chiu YE, Hebert AA, Callen JP, Castelo-Soccio L, Co DO, Cordoro KM, Curran ML, Dalrymple AM, Flohr C, Gordon KB, Hanna D, Irvine AD, Kim S, Kirkorian AY, Lara-Corrales I, Lindstrom J, Paller AS, Reyes M, Begolka WS, Tom WL, Van Voorhees AS, Vleugels RA, Lee LW, Davies O, Siegfried EC. Executive summary: Consensus treatment guidelines for the use of methotrexate for inflammatory skin disease in pediatric patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024 Jun;90(6):1271-1275. PubMed PMID: 38342248
  • Czaja AS, Mink RB, Herman BE, Weiss P, Turner DA, Curran ML, Stafford DEJ, Myers AL, Langhan ML. Exploring Factors for Implementation of EPAs in Pediatric Subspecialty Fellowships: A Qualitative Study of Program Directors. J Med Educ Curric Dev. 2024 Jan-Dec;11:23821205231225011. PubMed PMID: 38268726
  • Nowicki KD, Balboni IM, Cidon MJ, Dhanrajani AD, Driest KD, Fair DC, Imundo LF, Mehta JJ, Tarvin SE, Walters HM, Woolnough LC, Edgar LC, Curran ML. Assessing Pediatric Rheumatology Fellow Competence in the Milestone Era: Past, Present, and Future. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2024 May;76(5):600-607. PubMed PMID: 38108087
  • Mink RB, Carraccio CL, Herman BE, Weiss P, Turner DA, Stafford DEJ, McGann KA, Kesselheim J, Hsu DC, High PC, Fussell JJ, Curran ML, Chess PR, Sauer C, Pitts S, Myers AL, Mahan JD, Dammann CEL, Aye T, Schwartz A. Relationship between epa level of supervision with their associated subcompetency milestone levels in pediatric fellow assessment. BMC Med Educ. 2023 Oct 3;23(1):720. PubMed PMID: 37789289
  • Foeldvari I, Torok KS, Anton J, Blakley M, Constantin T, Curran M, Cutolo M, Denton C, Fligelstone K, Ingegnoli F, Li SC, Nemcová D, Orteu C, Pilkington C, Smith V, Stevens A, Klotsche J, Khanna D, Costa-Reis P, Del Galdo F, Hinrichs B, Kasapcopur O, Pain C, Ruperto N, Zheng A, Furst DE. Proposed Response Parameters for Twelve-Month Drug Trial in Juvenile Systemic Sclerosis: Results of the Hamburg International Consensus Meetings. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2023 Dec;75(12):2453-2462. PubMed PMID: 37332054
  • Siegfried EC, Arkin LM, Chiu YE, Hebert AA, Callen JP, Castelo-Soccio L, Co DO, Cordoro KM, Curran ML, Dalrymple AM, Flohr C, Gordon KB, Hanna D, Irvine AD, Kim S, Kirkorian AY, Lara-Corrales I, Lindstrom J, Paller AS, Reyes M, Begolka WS, Tom WL, Van Voorhees AS, Vleugels RA, Lee LW, Davies OMT, Brandling-Bennett HA. Methotrexate for inflammatory skin disease in pediatric patients: Consensus treatment guidelines. Pediatr Dermatol. 2023 Sep-Oct;40(5):789-808. PubMed PMID: 37316462
  • Langhan ML, Stafford DEJ, Myers AL, Herman BE, Curran ML, Czaja AS, Turner DA, Weiss P, Mink R. Clinical competency committee perceptions of entrustable professional activities and their value in assessing fellows: A qualitative study of pediatric subspecialty program directors. Med Teach. 2023 Jun;45(6):650-657. PubMed PMID: 36420760
  • Mink RB, Carraccio CL, Herman BE, Weiss P, Turner DA, Stafford DEJ, McGann KA, Kesselheim J, Hsu DC, High PC, Fussell JJ, Curran ML, Chess PR, Sauer C, Pitts S, Myers AL, Mahan JD, Dammann CEL, Aye T, Schwartz A. Relationship between epa level of supervision with their associated subcompetency milestone levels in pediatric fellow assessment. BMC Med Educ. 2023 Oct 3;23(1):720. PubMed PMID: 37789289
  • Siegfried EC, Arkin LM, Chiu YE, Hebert AA, Callen JP, Castelo-Soccio L, Co DO, Cordoro KM, Curran ML, Dalrymple AM, Flohr C, Gordon KB, Hanna D, Irvine AD, Kim S, Kirkorian AY, Lara-Corrales I, Lindstrom J, Paller AS, Reyes M, Begolka WS, Tom WL, Van Voorhees AS, Vleugels RA, Lee LW, Davies OMT, Brandling-Bennett HA. Methotrexate for inflammatory skin disease in pediatric patients: Consensus treatment guidelines. Pediatr Dermatol. 2023 Sep-Oct;40(5):789-808. PubMed PMID: 37316462
  • Langhan ML, Stafford DEJ, Myers AL, Herman BE, Curran ML, Czaja AS, Turner DA, Weiss P, Mink R. Clinical competency committee perceptions of entrustable professional activities and their value in assessing fellows: A qualitative study of pediatric subspecialty program directors. Med Teach. 2023 Jun;45(6):650-657. PubMed PMID: 36420760
  • Siegfried EC, Arkin LM, Chiu YE, Hebert AA, Callen JP, Castelo-Soccio L, Co DO, Cordoro KM, Curran ML, Dalrymple AM, Flohr C, Gordon KB, Hanna D, Irvine AD, Kim S, Kirkorian AY, Lara-Corrales I, Lindstrom J, Paller AS, Reyes M, Begolka WS, Tom WL, Van Voorhees AS, Vleugels RA, Lee LW, Davies OMT, Brandling-Bennett HA. Methotrexate for inflammatory skin disease in pediatric patients: Consensus treatment guidelines. Pediatr Dermatol. 2023 Jun 14. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 37316462
  • Ezeh N, Ardalan K, Buhr KA, Nguyen C, Al Ahmed O, Ardoin SP, Barton V, Bell S, Brandling-Bennett H, Castelo-Soccio L, Chiu YE, Chong BF, Co DO, Lara-Corrales I, Cintosun A, Curran ML, Diaz LZ, Elman SA, Faith EF, Garcia-Romero MT, Grossman-Kranseler J, Hogeling M, Hudson AD, Hunt RD, Ibler EM, Marques MC, Monir RL, Oza V, Paller AS, Putterman E, Rodriguez-Salgado P, Schoch JJ, Truong A, Wang J, Lee LW, Vleugels RA, Klein-Gitelman MS, von Scheven E, Werth VP, Arkin LM. Cross-sectional characteristics of pediatric-onset discoid lupus erythematosus: Results of a multicenter, retrospective cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 Sep;87(3):559-566. PubMed PMID: 35487332
  • Ezeh N, Ardalan K, Buhr KA, Nguyen C, Al Ahmed O, Ardoin SP, Barton V, Bell S, Brandling-Bennett H, Castelo-Soccio L, Chiu YE, Chong BF, Co DO, Lara-Corrales I, Cintosun A, Curran ML, Diaz LZ, Elman SA, Faith EF, Garcia-Romero MT, Grossman-Kranseler J, Hogeling M, Hudson AD, Hunt RD, Ibler EM, Marques MC, Monir RL, Oza V, Paller AS, Putterman E, Rodriguez-Salgado P, Schoch JJ, Truong A, Wang J, Lee LW, Vleugels RA, Klein-Gitelman MS, von Scheven E, Werth VP, Arkin LM. Cross-sectional characteristics of pediatric-onset discoid lupus erythematosus: Results of a multicenter, retrospective cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 Sep;87(3):559-566. PubMed PMID: 35487332
  • Langhan ML, Stafford DEJ, Myers AL, Herman BE, Curran ML, Czaja AS, Turner DA, Weiss P, Mink R. Clinical competency committee perceptions of entrustable professional activities and their value in assessing fellows: A qualitative study of pediatric subspecialty program directors. Med Teach. 2022 Nov 24;:1-8. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 36420760
  • Pitts S, Schwartz A, Carraccio CL, Herman BE, Mahan JD, Sauer CG, Dammann CEL, Aye T, Myers AL, Weiss PG, Turner DA, Hsu DC, Stafford DEJ, Chess PR, Fussell JJ, McGann KA, High P, Curran ML, Mink RB. Fellow Entrustment for the Common Pediatric Subspecialty Entrustable Professional Activities Across Subspecialties. Acad Pediatr. 2022 Aug;22(6):881-886. PubMed PMID: 34936942
  • Ardalan K, Adeyemi O, Wahezi DM, Caliendo AE, Curran ML, Neely J, Kim S, Correll CK, Brunner EJ, Knight AM. Parent Perspectives on Addressing Emotional Health for Children and Young Adults With Juvenile Myositis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021 Jan;73(1):18-29. PubMed PMID: 32986925
  • Turner DA, Schwartz A, Carraccio C, Herman B, Weiss P, Baffa JM, Chess P, Curran M, Dammann C, High P, Hsu D, Pitts S, Sauer C, Aye T, Fussell J, Kesselheim J, Mahan J, McGann K, Myers A, Mink R. Continued Supervision for the Common Pediatric Subspecialty Entrustable Professional Activities May Be Needed Following Fellowship Graduation. Acad Med. 2021 Jul 1;96(7S):S22-S28. PubMed PMID: 34183598
  • Wang C, Simpkin C, Vielkind M, Galambos C, Lin C, Liptzin DR, Curran ML. Childhood-Onset Sjögren Syndrome Presenting as Pulmonary Hemorrhage. Pediatrics. 2021 Aug;148(2). PubMed PMID: 34321337
  • Ochfeld E, Curran ML, Chiarella SE, Ardalan K, Khojah A. A Case Report of SAVI Mimicking Early-Onset ANCA Vasculitis. J Clin Immunol. 2021 Oct;41(7):1652-1655. PubMed PMID: 34089458
  • Weiss PG, Schwartz A, Carraccio CL, Herman BE, Turner DA, Aye T, Fussell JJ, Kesselheim J, Mahan JD, McGann KA, Myers A, Stafford DEJ, Chess PR, Curran ML, Dammann CEL, High P, Hsu DC, Pitts S, Sauer C, Srivastava S, Mink RB. Achieving Entrustable Professional Activities During Fellowship. Pediatrics. 2021 Nov;148(5). PubMed PMID: 34667096
  • Curran ML, Hayward K, Mehta J. Online Resources for Enhancing Clinical Knowledge and Skills. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2020 Feb;46(1):37-60. PubMed PMID: 31757286
  • Thakral A, Pinto D, Miller M, Curran ML, Klein-Gitelman M, French DD. Direct Healthcare Costs Associated with Oligoarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis at a Single Center. Int J Rheumatol. 2020;2020:5640425. PubMed PMID: 32952562
  • Mink R, Herman BE, Carraccio C, Aye T, Baffa JM, Chess PR, Fussell JJ, Sauer CG, Stafford DEJ, Weiss P, Curran ML, Dammann CEL, High PC, Hsu D, Kesselheim JC, Mahan JD, McGann KA, Myers AL, Pitts S, Turner DA, Schwartz A. Agreement of Program Directors With Clinical Competency Committees for Fellow Entrustment. J Med Educ Curric Dev. 2020 Jan-Dec;7:2382120520936613. PubMed PMID: 32844115
  • Theisen E, Lee DE, Pei S, Schauder DM, Chiu YE, Brandling-Bennett H, Curran ML, Klein-Gitelman M, Co DO, Arkin LM. Hypergammaglobulinemic purpura of Waldenström in children. Pediatr Dermatol. 2020 May;37(3):467-475. PubMed PMID: 32104943
  • Michels KL, Kurup SP, Curran ML, Alperin R, De Leon E, Mets-Halgrimson R. A case of acquired Brown syndrome treated with adalimumab. J AAPOS. 2020 Jun;24(3):167-169. PubMed PMID: 32087325
  • Duvvuri B, Pachman LM, Morgan G, Khojah AM, Klein-Gitelman M, Curran ML, Doty S, Lood C. Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Tissue and Periphery in Juvenile Dermatomyositis. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020 Feb;72(2):348-358. PubMed PMID: 31403247
  • Liu K, Tomlinson G, Reed AM, Huber AM, Saarela O, Bout-Tabaku SM, Curran M, Dvergsten JA, Eberhard BA, Jung LK, Kim S, Ringold S, Rouster-Steven KA, Tesher M, Wahezi DM, Feldman BM. Pilot study of the juvenile dermatomyositis consensus treatment plans: a CARRA Registry study. J Rheumatol. 2020 Apr 1. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 32238513
  • Shenoi S, Hayward K, Curran ML, Kessler E, Mehta JJ, Riebschleger MP, Foster HE. Telemedicine in pediatric rheumatology: this is the time for the community to embrace a new way of clinical practice. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2020 Oct 31;18(1):85. PubMed PMID: 33129319
  • Khojah AM, Miller ML, Klein-Gitelman MS, Curran ML, Hans V, Pachman LM, Fuleihan RL. Rituximab-associated Hypogammaglobulinemia in pediatric patients with autoimmune diseases. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2019 Aug 28;17(1):61. PubMed PMID: 31462263
  • Duvvuri B, Pachman LM, Morgan G, Khojah AM, Klein-Gitelman M, Curran ML, Doty S, Lood C. Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Tissue and Periphery in Juvenile Dermatomyositis. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2019 Aug 12. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31403247
  • Curran ML, Martin EE, Thomas EC, Singh R, Armana S, Kauser A, Zaheer EA, Sherry DD. The pediatric rheumatology objective structured clinical examination: progressing from a homegrown effort toward a reliable and valid national formative assessment. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2019 Feb 8;17(1):5. PubMed PMID: 30736800
  • Arkin LM, Buhr K, Brandling-Bennett H, Chiu Y, Chong B, Curran M, Hunt R, Paller AS, Werth VP, Klein-Gitelman M, von Scheven E, Ardalan K. Practice-based differences in paediatric discoid lupus erythematosus. Br J Dermatol. 2019 Oct;181(4):805-810. PubMed PMID: 30768778
  • Kim S, Kahn P, Robinson AB, Lang B, Shulman A, Oberle EJ, Schikler K, Curran ML, Barillas-Arias L, Spencer CH, Rider LG, Huber AM. Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance consensus clinical treatment plans for juvenile dermatomyositis with skin predominant disease. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2017 Jan 11;15(1):1. PubMed PMID: 28077146
  • Klein-Gitelman MS, Curran ML. The Challenges of Adolescence, Mood Disorders, and Chronic Illness. J Pediatr. 2015 Dec;167(6):1192-4. PubMed PMID: 26421489
  • Arkin LM, Ansell L, Rademaker A, Curran ML, Miller ML, Wagner A, Kenner-Bell BM, Chamlin SL, Mancini AJ, Klein-Gitelman M, Paller AS. The natural history of pediatric-onset discoid lupus erythematosus. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015 Apr;72(4):628-33. PubMed PMID: 25648823
  • Listernick R, Gossett J, Gambetta K, Chadwick E, Shulman ST, Wershil B, Curran M, Bhat R. A 4-year-old girl with dilated cardiomyopathy. Pediatr Ann. 2014 Jan 1;43(1):7-10. PubMed PMID: 24549077
  • Curran ML, Lavin J, Rastatter JC, Katz BZ. A 10-year-old girl with swelling under the eye and polyarthritis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2013 May;32(5):577; discussion 583. PubMed PMID: 23838660
  • Listernick R, Trainor JL, McColley SA, Zimmerman D, Chadwick EG, Shulman ST, Curran ML, Alexander NS, Torchen L, Wadhwani N. A 15-year-old boy with dyspnea with exertion. Pediatr Ann. 2013 Jun 1;42(6):227-9. PubMed PMID: 23718243
  • Brunner HI, Klein-Gitelman MS, Zelko F, Thomas EC, Hummel J, Nelson SM, Huggins J, Curran ML, Roebuck-Spencer T, Beebe DW, Ying J. Validation of the Pediatric Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2013 Mar;65(3):372-81. PubMed PMID: 22933364
  • Curran ML. A 6-year-old girl with new boots. Pediatr Ann. 2012 Mar 12;41(3):e1-4. PubMed PMID: 22390311
  • Curran ML. A 14-year-old with joint pain and antinuclear antibodies. Pediatr Ann. 2012 Mar 12;41(3):e1-4. PubMed PMID: 22390310
  • Curran ML. A 16-month-old with left knee swelling. Pediatr Ann. 2012 Mar 12;41(3):e1-4. PubMed PMID: 22390309
  • Huber AM, Robinson AB, Reed AM, Abramson L, Bout-Tabaku S, Carrasco R, Curran M, Feldman BM, Gewanter H, Griffin T, Haines K, Hoeltzel MF, Isgro J, Kahn P, Lang B, Lawler P, Shaham B, Schmeling H, Scuccimarri R, Shishov M, Stringer E, Wohrley J, Ilowite NT, Wallace C. Consensus treatments for moderate juvenile dermatomyositis: beyond the first two months. Results of the second Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance consensus conference. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2012 Apr;64(4):546-53. PubMed PMID: 22076847
  • Hersh AO, Pang S, Curran ML, Milojevic DS, von Scheven E. The challenges of transferring chronic illness patients to adult care: reflections from pediatric and adult rheumatology at a US academic center. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2009 Jun 8;7:13. PubMed PMID: 19505332
  • Leidolf EM, Curran M, Scout, Bradford J. Intersex mental health and social support options in pediatric endocrinology training programs. J Homosex. 2008;54(3):233-42. PubMed PMID: 18825861
  • Parry BL, Curran ML, Stuenkel CA, Yokimozo M, Tam L, Powell KA, Gillin JC. Can critically timed sleep deprivation be useful in pregnancy and postpartum depressions?. J Affect Disord. 2000 Nov;60(3):201-12. PubMed PMID: 11074109

Professional Memberships

  • American Academy of Pediatrics, fellow
  • American College of Rheumatology, fellow
  • Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance, member
  • Association of Pediatric Program Directors, member

Practice Locations

Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
13123 East 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-777-1234

Hospital Affiliation
  • Children's Hospital Colorado

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Pediatric Rheumatology, Board Certification (2010)
  • Pediatrics, Board Certification (2006)
Conditions & Treatments
  • Immune System - Autoimmune Disorders
  • Immune System
  • Child and Teen Health - Pediatric Diseases and Conditions
  • Child and Teen Health
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles - Arthritis
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles
Clinical Interests
juvenile myositis, systemic sclerosis

Care Philosophy
My passion is teaching pediatric rheumatology trainees to treat children, adolescents and young adults with all rheumatic diseases, especially juvenile myositis and systemic sclerosis. I teach our fellows to practice patient and family centered care, with the idea that as physicians, our job is to educate patients and families about their symptoms, diagnoses and treatment options, and together we come to decisions about treatment plans.

Personal Interests
I am an avid animal lover and enjoy traveling with my husband Adam, who is a math professor at CU Denver, especially to places where there are exotic animals and/or tropical landscapes. We enjoy hiking Colorado trails with our pit bull mix Hazel and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Greta.

Volunteer Activities
Cure JM Foundation (juvenile myositis)

Public Speaking
Yes
I enjoy educating medical trainees and practicing health care professionals about the early recognition of pediatric rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease.


School of Medicine

CU Anschutz
Fitzsimons Building

13001 East 17th Place

Aurora, CO 80045

303.724.5375

School
General
Students