Rheumatology

All Children's Pediatric Rheumatology Program offers state of the art care for children with rheumatic diseases and their families. We have a board certified pediatric rheumatologist, a rheumatology nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and a fully supportive nursing and office staff. A rheumatology support group is also available, and many rheumatology patients also benefit from All Children's pediatric occupational therapy and pediatric physical therapy.

Children & Teens are seen here for...

• Limping
• Joint pain and swelling
• Fever and rashes
• Positive ANA
• Back pain
• Muscle weakness or pain
• Conditions requiring treatment with biologic response modifying drugs such as Enbrel, Remicade & Kineret

Diseases We Treat

• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Spondyloarthropathy
• Juvenile Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Systemic Lupus erythematosus
• Discoid Lupus
• Juvenile dermatomyositis
• Linear Scleroderma
• Systemic Scleroderma
• Sjogren's Syndrome
• Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
• Polyarteritis Nodosa
• Vasculitis
• Mixed connective tissue disease
• Overlap syndrome
• Hypermobility
• Chronic regional pain syndrome
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
• Fibromyalgia
• Kawasaki Disease

Meet Our Team

Robert Nickeson, MD

A member of the medical staff since 1993, Dr. Nickeson in recent years has been the principal investigator for several clinical trials addressing therapy, management and surveillance, and molecular classification of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In 2009 he completed terms of service as chairman of the Gulf Coast Regional Board and member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Previously he received the Distinguished Service Award and Community Leader of the Year Award from the Gulf Coast region. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Nickeson completed his pediatric residency at Baylor College of Medicine and his pediatric rheumatology fellowship at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston.  Learn More >>

Norma Liburd, RN-BC, MN

How to Make an Appointment

• Call 727-767-7438 or the toll free number 800-456-4543, ext. 77438.
• At the message, press 1 to schedule an appointment or to speak with the office coordinator. 
• An appointment will be made for the first available time. 

However, if you or your primary doctor feels that your child needs to see a rheumatologist before the next appointment available, your doctor will need to discuss this with the pediatric rheumatologist, rheumatology nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist.

Records from your primary or referring doctor must be sent in advance in order to schedule an appointment.  It is very important that the specialists have all the information they need so your child receives the best care possible.