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Lupus Patient Support Programs
Hospital for Special Surgery offers more lupus support and education programs than any other hospital in the United States. The department of Social Work Programs, in collaboration with the Lupus and APS Center of Excellence, brings together patients with lupus to help them and their loved ones cope with a new diagnosis, clarify treatment options, locate community resources, and provide ongoing support. Our programs are evidenced-based and we conduct frequent needs assessments based on patients’ input in order to determine our programs' impact, satisfaction and reach.
Related Departments and Services
Our programs are culturally tailored, offered in English, Spanish, and Chinese, and are developmentally specific. We use a peer based and interdisciplinary team model to enhance self-efficacy in managing lupus. Many of our programs include lectures by rheumatology experts and offer opportunities for group discussion.
HSS offers free programs that reflect our comprehensive approach to care for people with systemic lupus erythematosus. Through these programs, you can learn about your illness and learn to live more fully - both from health care professionals and from others who have the same illness.
LANTern® (Lupus Asian Network)
LANTern® (Lupus Asian Network) is a free national support and education program for Asian-Americans with lupus and their families. It is the only national hospital-based bilingual support and education program dedicated to serving Asian Americans with lupus and their families. Lupus, often “invisible”, can be isolating and hard to understand. LANtern is here to help.
SLE Workshop
The SLE Workshop is a monthly education and support group for people with lupus, along with their family and friends. The SLE Workshop is a support and education program inspired by the desire of people living with lupus to learn more about the illness and its treatment. This program has been ongoing since 1985 for people with lupus and their families and friends. Lectures by lupus experts are followed by an informal discussion.
LupusLine® Program
Lupusline is a free national telephone peer counseling service focusing on one-to-one support for people with lupus and their families.
Charla de Lupus (Lupus Chat)® Program
This is a free national peer health education and support program for Spanish-speaking communities with lupus. This unique national program has offered people with lupus and their families peer health support and education in both English and Spanish since 1994. This program specifically seeks to reach Latinos/Hispanics and African Americans with lupus and their families.
Charla Teen and Parent Lupus Chat Group
The Charla Teen and Parent Lupus Chat Group is a monthly in-person chat group for teens with lupus and their parents. It provides a safe and comfortable space to allow teenagers and young adults with lupus, and their parents, to share their thoughts, issues and concerns related to managing lupus. At the same time, participants receive support and education that can help them to better cope with lupus.
Volunteer
Most volunteer opportunities are intended for individuals living with lupus. Family members and caregivers are also encouraged to apply and may be considered for select roles.
Below are the three main volunteer opportunities:
- LupusLine®
- Charla de Lupus (Lupus Chat)®
- Bilingual English/Spanish helpful
- LANtern®
- Must be comfortable communicating in English and Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese)
- Volunteers are expected to complete 100 to 120 hours of service and commit to supporting the program for at least one year
Timeline
October 2026: Application is live
December 2026: Application closes
January–February 2027: Selection Process (Candidates Interviewed and Chosen)
March–May 2027: Training and Onboarding for New Volunteers
HSS Lupus Support Program Volunteer Application
Contact
Adam Ramsey
Email: ramseya@hss.edu
Tel: 646.797.8914