Faculty Profile - Richard Baltaro, M.D., Ph.D.

Richard Baltaro, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Clinical Chemistry

Creighton University Medical Center
Pathology Department and
Creighton Medical Laboratories
601 N. 30th St.
Omaha, NE. 68131-2197
(402) 449-4630
RichardBaltaro@creighton.edu

Specialties: Clinical Pathology, Immunopathology, Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology
  • Associate Professor of Pathology, Creighton University School of Medicine
  • Associate Director of Clinical Pathology
  • Director of Clinical Chemistry, Creighton University Medical Center
  • Pathologist, Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Omaha
  • Assistant Director of Clinical Pathology Division, VAMC, Lincoln, NE
  • Associate Chief of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, VAMC, Lincoln, NE
  • Assistant Director of Clinical Pathology Division, VAMC, Grand Island, NE
  • Associate Chief of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, VAMC, Grand Island, NE
  • Director of Laboratories and Consultant Pathologist, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE
  • Director of Laboratories and Consultant Pathologist, Boys Town National Research Hospital West, Boys Town, NE
  • Pathologist and CLIA Laboratory Director Veterans Affairs Medical Center, North Platte, NE
  • Pathologist and CLIA Laboratory Director, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Holdrege, NE
  • Consultant Pathologist, and Immunopathologist, Alegent Health Bergen Mercy Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Education

  • B.A. - Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana (1972)
  • Ph.D. - University of Rome, Rome, Italy (1977)
  • M.D. - Catholic University, (Universita` Cattolica del Sacro Cuore), (1983)
  • Pathology Residency - Brown University. Providence, RI (1987)
  • Clinical Pathology Fellowship - George Washington University (1998)
  • Immunology Fellowship - National Institutes of Health, Bethesda (1990)
  • Board Certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology (1988)
  • Board Certified in Immunopathology (1989)

Teaching

  • 1987-88 Second year Pathology Course, Medical School, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., As an assistant in Pathology.
  • First semester small group sessions didactic and laboratories
  • 1990-92 Second year Pathology Course, School of Medicine Marshall University, As an Assistant Professor of Pathology
  • Neoplasia, Cardiovascular, Immunology and Immunopathology, Skin and Bone Malignancies
  • 1990-93 School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV and West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, as an Assistant Professor, Associate Member, Dept. of Microbiology Immunology Course (Immunopathology), a semester course
  • 1992-93 Second year Pathology Course, School of Medicine Marshall University, As an Assistant Professor of Pathology
  • Neoplasia, Cardiovascular, Immunology and Immunopathology
  • Small group sessions: Gynecologic and Gastrointestinal Pathology
  • 2001-present First year Anatomy Laboratory, Creighton University School of Medicine, As an Associate Professor of Pathology
  • 2001-present Second year Pathology Course, Creighton University School of Medicine, As Associate Professor of Pathology - Small group leader year round (full year), M2 Multi-Disciplinary Pathology Course, Case, Studies in Clinical Medicine (PTG 279)
  • Lectures in Cardiovascular Course (IDC 201) and Hematology Course (IDC 207).
  • 2001- present Laboratory Session Leader, M2 Infectious Diseases Course (IDC 233)
  • 2002- present Small Group Tutorial Leader, M1 Molecular and Cell Biology Course
  • (IDC 101/102). Lectures in Immunology, Molecular and Cell Biology Course
  • 2001-present Infectious Disease Rounds, Pharmacy Doctoral candidates, Laboratory, Microbiology section, St. Joseph Hospital later Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha NE
  • 2002-2003 First year Molecular and cell Biology, Creighton University School of Medicine,- Pathology coordinator and small group leader
  • 2003 (July) Physician in Charge, M2 Elective, General Medicine (MED 480)
  • ILAC Mission (Institute for Latin American Concerns), Santiago de Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic and Mata Grande, San Jose de las Matas, Dominican Republic. [Medical students, dental students, nursing students, Creighton undergraduate students]
  • 2003-present Creighton University School of Medicine Multicultural and Community Affairs, Mentor - Medical students - Post-baccalaureate students – Undergraduates
  • 2005- present Mentoring Program for medical students, Creighton University School of Medicine
  • 2005- present Physician volunteer and mentor, Siena-Francis House, Omaha, NE

Research Sub-specialty Interests

  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies
  • Immunology and Autoimmunity
  • Outreach Pathology
  • Teaching
  • Chemistry and Toxicology

Publications

  • Drincic, A, Anderson, R, Baltaro, RJ: Association of Low Prostate-Specific Antigen Concentration and Panhypopituitarism, Endocrine Practice, May/June 2008; 14(4): 432-6.
  • Novak, DJ, Bashir K, Baltaro, RJ, Cavalieri SJ: Neisseria sicca/subflava: continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis. Laboratory Medicine 2007: 38 (6): 363-364.
  • Baltaro, RJ, Nipper, HC, Hashish, HA, Sakowski, HA Cichowski, EC: Autopsy Findings in a Case of Short-term Low-dose Propofol infusion syndrome. (in press)
  • Drincic, A, Anderson, R, Baltaro, RJ: Low Prostate Specific Antigen May Predict Panhypopituitarism, (in press)
  • Maimone, F., Colonna, B., Baltaro, R., Casalino, M., Oliva, B.:Incompatibility Group Classification of Conjugated R Plasmids Isolated from Salmonella vienna, Acts of XVIII National Congress of the Italian Society of Microbiology, Fiuggi Terme, Italy, June 2-4, 1978.
  • Baltaro, R., J., Lessons to be Learned, A Terrorism Experience, Omaha Metropolitan Medical Society, Physicians Bulletin, November 2003
  • P. Yohannes, T. Bruno, M. Pathan, R. Baltaro, Laparoscopic-assisted Excision of a Urachal Sinus, 17(7): 475-79, Journal Endourology, 2003.
  • Driscoll, H.K., Chertow, B.S., Jelic, T.M., Baltaro, R.J., et al, Vitamin A Status Effects the Development of Diabetes and Insulinitis in BB Rats, Metabolism, 45 (2): 248:253, 1996.
  • Jelic, T.M., Triest, W., Shiels, J., Porter, D., Cherry, D., Baltaro, R.J., et al, Calcified aldosterone-producting adrenocortical adenoma, Clinical Imaging, 20 (1): 50-54, 1996.
  • Suffredini, A.F., Shelhamer, J.H., Neumann, R.D., Brenner, M., Baltaro, R.J., et al, Pulmonary and Oxygen Transport Effect of Intravenously Administered Endotoxin to Normal Humans, Am Rev Resp Dis, 145 (6): 1398-403, 1992.
  • Hoffman, G.S., Sechler, J.M.G., Gallin, J.I., Shelhamer, J.H., Suffredini, A.F., Ognibene, F.P., Baltaro, R.J., Fleisher, T.A., Borok, Z., Leavitt, R.Y., Travis, W.D., Barile, M.F., Tsokos, M., Holman, R.P., M., Straus, S.E., Fauci, A.S., Bronchoalveolar Lavage Analysis in Wegener’s Granulomatosis. A Method to Study Disease Pathogenesis, Am Rev Resp Dis, 143 (2): 401-407, 1991.
  • Baltaro, R.J., Hoffman, G.S., Sechler, J.M.G., Suffredini, A., Shelhamer, J. H., Fauci, A.S., Fleisher, T.A., IgG Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic AutoAntibodies Are Produced in the Respiratory Tract of Patients with Wegener’s Granulomatosis, Am Rev Resp Dis, 143 (2): 275-278, 1991.
  • Fenici, R.R., Masselli, M., Zeppilli, P., Baltaro, R.J., Clinical Demonstration of Intraatrial Conduction Disturbances by Means of Monophasic Action Potential Recording in Man, presented at the 9th International Congress of Electrocardiology, June 7-11, 1982, Tokyo, Japanese Heart Journal, 23: 189-191, (Suppl. 1) Dec. 1982.
  • Pirrami, M.M., Zeppilli, P., Lo Zoppo, C., Sassara, M., Antico, L., Baltaro, R.J.: Psychological Analysis of Patients Hospitalized in the CCU of "A Gemelli" Hospital of Rome, Acta Medica Romana, 18: 346-351, 1980.
  • Pirrami, M.M., Zeppilli, P., Lo Zoppo, C., Sassara, M., Antico, L., Baltaro, R.J.: First Year of Experience in the Coronary Care Unit of "A. Gemelli" Hospital of Rome: Critical Analysis and Perspectives, Acta Medica Romana, 18: 340-345, 1980.
  • Maimone, F., Colonna, B., Baltaro, R., Casalino, M., Oliva, B.:Incompatibility Group Classification of Conjugated R Plasmids Isolated from Salmonella vienna, Acts of XVIII National Congress of the Italian Society of Microbiology, Fiuggi Terme, Italy, June 2-4, 1978.

    Submitted or in Preparation
  • Alla, Venkata M, Thambidorai, Senthil; Kishlay, Anand; Mooss, Aryan; Baltaro, RJ, Syed, Mohiuddin, and Jyotsna, Maddury. C-Reactive Protein and the risk of Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.(submitted Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology).
  • Baltaro, RJ, Nipper, HC, Hashish, HA, Sakowski, HA Cichowski, EC: Autopsy Findings in a Case of Short-term Low-dose Propofol infusion syndrome. (submitted).
  • Patel, BM, Bruno, Baltaro RJ, Bewtra, A, Idiopathic CD4+ Lymphocytopenia (ICL)in an asymptomatic patient with refractory psoriasis.
  • Grunkemeyer JA, Baltaro RJ, Warrino DE, Ryan WL, Streck Reagent Stabilizes Bone Marrow Cells and Their Antigen Expression Profiles for Extended Analysis Using Flow Cytometry.
  • Baltaro RJ, Dover SK, Nipper HC: Method comparison triage BNP, Abbott AxSYM and Beckman Coulter Access and possible NYHA misclassification using different testing systems.

Abstracts

  • Patel, BM, Linde, EM, Baltaro RJ, Bewtra, AK, Exclusion of Psoriasis and Etanercept Therapy before Diagnosis of Idiopathic CD4 Lymphocytopenia (ICL) [To be presented at the 2008 ACAAI Annual Meeting , November 6-11, 2008 in Seattle, Washington. ACAAI, American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology].
  • Warrino DE, Grunkemeyer JA, Baltaro RJ, Sotomayor EA, Ryan WL, Cyto-Chex® Reagent Stabilizes Bone Marrow Cells and Their Antigen Expression Profiles for Extended Analysis Using Flow Cytometry, 2006. [Presented at the 21nd Annual Clinical Cytometry, Meeting, Long Beach, California, October 6-10, 2006].
  • Baltaro RJ, Dover SK, Nipper HC: Method comparison triage BNP, Abbott AxSYM and Beckman Coulter Access and possible NYHA misclassification using different testing systems. Clinical Chemistry 2006, 52(6):A185. [Presented at the American Association of Clinical Chemistry Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, July 27, 2006]
  • Pathan M, Baltaro RJ, Giger D: Decreased drug bioavailability in a M. tuberculosis patient with a history of partial gastrectomy. Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 2005; 129(4):551-552. [Presented at College of American Pathologists Meeting (CAP), Phoenix, Arizona, September 19-22, 2004]
  • Studts P, Nipper H, Baltaro RJ: Pediatric fatality to hydrochloroquinine ingestion. Journal of Analytical Toxicology 2005; 29:511. [Society of Forensic Toxicology (SOFT)/International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT), Washington, DC, August 28 ­ September 3, 2004]
  • Hatcher LI, Brumback RA, Baltaro RJ, Gatalica Z, Knezetic J: Rapid detection of MTHFR C677T+MTHFR A1298C and factor V Leiden plus prothrombin G20210A SNPs by 4-plexed real-time PCR. Journal of Molecular Diagnostics 2004; 6:417. [Presented at Association for Molecular Pathology, Los Angeles, California, November 2004]
  • Cichowski E, Sakowski H, Hashish H, Baltaro RJ: A case of wide anion gap non-acidosis. Journal of General Internal Medicine 2004; 19(Suppl 1):26. [Presented at the Society of General Internal Medicine, 27th SGIM Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, May 12-15, 2004]
  • Studts, P., Nipper, H, Baltaro, R., Pediatric Fatality to Hydrochloroquinine Ingestion, Society of Forensic Toxicology (SOFT)/International Society of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT), Washington D.C., Giger, D., Baltaro, R.J., Decreased drug bioavailability in a M. tuberculosis patient with a history of partial gastrectomy, College of American Pathologists Meeting (CAP), Pheonix, AZ., September 19-22, 2004.
  • Cichowski, E., Sakowski, H., Hashish, H., Baltaro, R., A Case of Wide Anion Gap Non-Acidosis, Clinical Vignette, Society of General Internal Medicine, 27th SGIM Annual Meeting, Chicago, May 2004.
  • Bewtra, C., Hatcher, C., Xie, Q., Gatalica, Z.,Baltaro, R., Soundararajan, S., Zhou, F., Genital Human Papilloma Virus Testing by In-situ Hybridization Method in liquid Prepared Atypical Cytologic Materials and Corresponding Cervical Boipsies, USCAN Academy of Pathology, Vancouver, B.C. March 2004
  • H. Hashish, H. Sakowski, E. Cichowski, H. Nipper, R. Baltaro, False Low Bicarbonate Level with Propofol Infusion and Hypertriglyceridemia, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, NE, Academy of Forensic Scientists, Chicago, Feb. 19, 2003.
  • Cichowski E, Sakowski H, Hashish H, Baltaro RJ: Fooled by fat/perplexed by propofol. Journal of General Internal Medicine 2003; 18(Suppl 1):54. [Presented at the Regional Internal Medicine Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, April 2003]
  • Sakowski, H., Cichowski, E.. Hashish, H., Baltaro, R., Fooled by Fat / Perplexed by Propofol, Regional Internal Medicine Meeting, Chicago, 2002.
  • Pathan M, Yohannes P, Baltaro RJ: Radical excision of urachal sinus cyst by new urological laparoscopic-assisted technique and review of literature. American Journal of Clinical Pathology 2002; 118(4):646-647. [Presented at American Society for Clinical Pathologists/College of American Pathologists Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, October 12-15, 2002]