SCU’s Dr. Steffany Moonaz Champions Whole Health and Yoga Therapy at National Juvenile Arthritis Summit

At this year’s Annual Juvenile Arthritis (JA) Summit hosted by the Arthritis Foundation, the theme was centered on one powerful and unifying word: Courage. The event brought together young warriors living with juvenile arthritis (JA), devoted families, and passionate professionals—all working to improve lives touched by the condition. Among the featured guests was Dr. Steffany Moonaz, Director of Health Services Research at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), who led yoga therapy sessions and connected with the community to advance the next chapter of arthritis care.

As part of SCU’s commitment to Whole Health and integrative care, Dr. Moonaz brought her decades of experience in yoga therapy to teens, young adults, and caregivers attending the summit. Her sessions focused on practical tools to ease physical discomfort, manage stress, and cultivate emotional resilience—tools that aligned perfectly with the event’s courageous spirit.

Dr. Moonaz’s relationship with the Arthritis Foundation is deeply rooted. More than 20 years ago, the Foundation funded her first doctoral research on the effects of yoga for adults living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). That early support set the foundation for a career dedicated to integrative research and patient-centered care.

Now, thanks to a renewed collaboration, Dr. Moonaz is turning her focus to younger populations. She is leading a new research initiative that will assess the unique needs of children living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to develop a tailored, online yoga therapy program just for them. This innovative project is supported by the Arthritis Foundation, a grant from RAND REACH, and a generous donation made to SCU to support pediatric arthritis research.

At the summit, Dr. Moonaz had the opportunity to meet with children, parents, volunteers, rheumatology providers, and researchers—all united by a shared mission to improve outcomes for young people living with arthritis.

“In a time when arthritis programs and research dollars are being cut,” said Dr. Moonaz, “we need the important work of organizations like the Arthritis Foundation—and visionary partners like RAND REACH and SCU donors—more than ever. Together, we’re creating something that will meet these kids where they are, and help them thrive.”

Dr. Moonaz’s presence at the summit and the pioneering programs she is developing exemplify SCU’s Whole Health philosophy. Through science, compassion, and community, she is helping to build a brighter, healthier future for youth with arthritis—one breath and one movement at a time.

To explore more about SCU’s Health Services Research initiatives, visit SCU’s Health Research webpage.