Education ProgramsApril W. Armstrong, M.D., M.P.H.
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Dr. April Armstrong is Vice Chair of Clinical Research, Director of the Clinical Research Unit, and Director of Teledermatology. Dr. Armstrong has expertise in outcomes research, psoriasis, and technology-enabled delivery of healthcare. Dr. Armstrong obtained Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from Harvard Medical School and completed dermatology residency at Harvard Dermatology Residency Program. Dr. Armstrong also obtained a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard School of Public Health. She has authored over 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications and has been an editor for the top pharmacology textbook Principles of Pharmacology. Dr. Armstrong received dermatology training from Master Clinicians at Harvard. She believes that good clinical practice needs to be rooted in evidence-based medicine. Dr. Armstrong is skilled in all aspects of general dermatology, including inflammatory skin diseases and skin cancers. Dr. Armstrong’s clinical expertise lies in psoriasis. She is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care for psoriasis patients and making available to them the latest treatment options. Dr. Armstrong regularly receives referrals from colleagues for patients with severe psoriasis and enjoys caring for these patients. Dr. Armstrong is also recognized internationally for her efforts in telehealth. She utilizes telehealth technology to provide dermatology consultations to remote communities and underserved populations. Dr. Armstrong cares for underserved patients from all corners of California through real-time, videoconferencing teledermatology and store-and-forward teledermatology.
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Title: Vice Chair of Clinical Research, Director of Clinical Research Unit, Director of Teledermatology
Board Certification: American Board of Dermatology
Clinical Interests: Psoriasis, skin cancers, general dermatology, comparative effectiveness and outcomes
Undergraduate Education: Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon, Biochemistry and Communication, B.A. with honors
Medical Education: Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, M.D.
Post-Graduate Education: Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, Master of Public Health
Internship: Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, Internal Medicine
Residency: Harvard Dermatology Residency Program, Boston, Massachusetts
Professional Memberships:
Dermatology Foundation
Society of Investigative Dermatology
National Psoriasis Foundation
American Academy of Dermatology
American Telemedicine Association
Research Bio
As Vice Chair of Clinical Research, Dr. Armstrong heads the departmental efforts in patient-oriented research, including investigator-initiated research and clinical trials in health outcomes and clinical effectiveness. Dr. Armstrong is a federally funded investigator, whose academic research focus lies in health outcomes and epidemiology, with an emphasis on psoriasis comorbidities and comparative effectiveness. She also has extensive clinical trial experience, having led or collaborated on over 120 study protocols.
Dr. Armstrong’s research focus lies in health outcomes, clinical effectiveness, and epidemiology. She is especially interested in psoriasis comorbidities, the appropriate use of biologic agents, and comparative effectiveness research. Dr. Armstrong has conducted studies examining how new therapies impact patients’ disease states, quality of life, and their access to medical care. Furthermore, she has examined how novel technology-enabled models of healthcare delivery may increase patient access to specialty care and improve clinical outcomes. Dr. Armstrong has published over 100 articles in high-impact, peer-reviewed medical journals.
Dr. Armstrong was awarded research funding from multiple federal agencies and foundations, including the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, NIH, Dermatology Foundation, National Psoriasis Foundation, and Women's Dermatologic Society. Dr. Armstrong was selected to receive multiple career development awards from the Dermatology Foundation, NIH CTSC K12 Mentored Career Development Award, and AHRQ K08 Career Development Award.
Dr. Armstrong is also dedicated to the educational and research goals of dermatology trainees, having mentored numerous medical students, fellows, and residents. She has extensive experience working with high-caliber trainees. Many of her former trainees have matched to top dermatology residency programs and embarked on successful dermatology careers.
Dr. Armstrong holds multiple leadership positions at professional societies, including serving as Vice Chair for Teledermatology SIG at the American Telemedicine Association, Medical Board Member of the National Psoriasis Foundation, Steering Committee Member for Group in Research for Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, and Task Force Member for multiple committees at the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Armstrong also serves on the editorial boards of JAMA Dermatology, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and Telemedicine and eHealth.
Selected Publications
Armstrong EJ, Harskamp CT, Armstrong AW. Psoriasis and major adverse cardiovascular events: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. J Am Heart Assoc. 2013 Apr 4;2(2). PubMed PMID: 23557749.
Armstrong AW, Harskamp CT, Armstrong EJ. Psoriasis and the risk of diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2013 Jan;149(1):84-91.
Armstrong AW, Harskamp CT, Armstrong EJ. Psoriasis and metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013 Apr;68(4):654-62.
Armstrong AW, Schupp C, Wu J, Bebo B. Quality of life and work productivity impairment among psoriasis patients: findings from the National Psoriasis Foundation survey data 2003-2011. PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e52935.
Armstrong AW, Harskamp CT, Armstrong EJ. The association between psoriasis and hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. J Hypertens. 2012 Dec 15. [Epub ahead of print]
Foolad N, Brezinski EA, Chase EP, Armstrong AW. Effect of Nutrient Supplementation on Atopic Dermatitis in Children: A Systematic Review of Probiotics, Prebiotics, Formula, and Fatty Acids. Arch Dermatol. 2012 Dec 17:1-6.
Armstrong AW, Follansbee MR, Harskamp CT, Schupp CW. Psoriasis and sexual behavior in U.S. women: an epidemiologic analysis using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). J Sex Med. 2013 Feb;10(2):326-32.
Armstrong AW, Schupp C, Bebo B. Psoriasis comorbidities: results from the National Psoriasis Foundation surveys 2003 to 2011. Dermatology. 2012;225(2):121-6.
Armstrong AW, Harskamp CT, Cheeney S, Wu J, Schupp CW. Power of crowdsourcing: novel methods of data collection in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 Dec;67(6):1273-1281.
Armstrong AW, Wu J, Kovarik CL, Goldyne ME, Oh DH, McKoy KC, Shippy AM, Pak HS. State of teledermatology programs in the United States. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 Nov;67(5):939-44.
Lamel S, Chambers CJ, Ratnarathorn M, Armstrong AW. Impact of live interactive teledermatology on diagnosis, disease management, and clinical outcomes. Arch Dermatol. 2012 Jan;148(1):61-5.
Armstrong AW, Harskamp CT, Ledo L, Rogers JH, Armstrong EJ. Coronary artery disease in patients with psoriasis referred for coronary angiography. Am J Cardiol. 2012 Apr 1;109(7):976-80.
Chambers CJ, Parsi KK, Schupp C, Armstrong AW. Patient-centered online management of psoriasis: a randomized controlled equivalency trial. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 Jun;66(6):948-53.
Armstrong AW, Lin SW, Chambers CJ, Sockolov ME, Chin DL. Psoriasis and hypertension severity: results from a case-control study. PLoS One. 2011 Mar 29;6(3).
Armstrong AW, Watson AJ, Kazanis M, Frangos JE, Kimball AB, Kvedar JC. Text-Message Reminders Improve Sunscreen Use: A Randomized, Controlled Trial Using Electronic Monitoring. Arch Derm, Arch Dermatol. 2009 Nov;145 (11): 1230-6.
Books
Golan DE, Tashjian AH, Armstrong EJ, Armstrong AW Eds. Principles of Pharmacology: The Pathophysiologic Basis of Drug Therapy, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd editions. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD.
To schedule an appointment and to see if Dr. April W. Armstrong is accepting new patients please call: (916) 734-6111.
