Special Interests

Autoimmune Lung Disease and Post Deployment Lung Health

Education

Education

1971

University of Texas (Austin, TX), BA with Honors

1974

University of Texas Medical School (Houston, TX), MD

Residency

1971

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (Iowa City, IA), Medicine Internship

1974

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (Iowa City, IA), Internal Medicine Residency

Fellowship

1980 - 1984

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (Iowa City, IA), Rheumatology Fellowship

1984

American Association of Electrical Engineers, NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX), Summer Faculty Fellowship

1985

American Association of Electrical Engineers, NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX), Summer Faculty Fellowship

1983

American College of Physicians, University of Sussex UK, A Blaine Bower Traveling Scholar

Awards & Recognition

2014: Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc.
2013: America's Top Doctors, Castle Connolly Medical, Ltd.
Abraham Kauvar Presidential Award, National Jewish Health
Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star – Department of Defense

Board Certification

1983: Rheumatology
1977: Internal Medicine

Professional Memberships

1991-Present: Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.
1984-Present: American Association of Immunologist
1982-Present: American College of Rheumatology
1979-Present: American College of Physicians

Publications

Swigris JJ; Olson AL; Fischer A; Lynch DA; Cosgrove GP; Frankel SK; Meehan RT; Robinson C; Smith ML; Mabry TR; Mycophenolate mofetil is safe, well tolerated, and preserves lung function in patients with connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease: Chest 2006;130(1):30-6.

Wasfi Y, Meehan RT, Newman LS. Chapter 105 Sarcoidosis. Harris et al: Kelly’s Textbook of Rheumatology 7th edition. 2004. Elsevier Science Philadelphia, PA.

Meehan RT; Neale LS; Kraus ET; Stuart CA; Smith ML; Cintron NM; Sams CF; Alteration in human mononuclear leucocytes following space flight: Immunology; 1992;76(3188):491-7.

Meehan RT, Ashman RF. Early protein synthesis in activated human peripheral blood mono¬nuclear cells.    Molecular. Immunol. 22:893-898,1985.  

Swigris JJ; Fischer A; Gillis J; Meehan RT; Brown KK; Pulmonary and thrombotic manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: Chest 2008;133(1):271-80.

Academic Affiliations

Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver

Teaching & Professional Positions

1998-Present: Faculty Internal Medicine/Rheumatology, National Jewish Health
2008: Battalion Surgeon Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 17, Al Anbar, Iraq
1989-1995: Assistant/Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, University of Colorado Denver
1991: ICU Physician Fleet Hosp 6 Persian Gulf War U S Navy Reserve
1984-1989: Assistant Professor of Medicine, Rheumatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston and Consultant Life Sciences Branch, NASA-Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas

Conflicts of Interest

National Jewish Health physicians and scientists may collaborate with pharmaceutical or other industries to develop medical and scientific breakthroughs or to provide education on trends in quality medical practice and outcomes to physicians and health professionals around the country. National Jewish Health maintains a strict conflict of interest policy to ensure that all potential conflicts are clearly visible and that management plans are put in place in order to further innovation and education while ensuring the protection of our patients and the integrity of our research. National Jewish Health publicly discloses any payment to our physicians or scientists. View this faculty member’s industry relationships and collaborations.