MBBS • FRCPC • RhMSUS
Specializing in Psoriatic Arthritis, Point-of-Care Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, and Reproductive Health in Rheumatic Diseases. Providing evidence-based, compassionate care in Mississauga, Ontario.
Rheumatologist
Bridging leading academic fellowships with dedicated community patient care.
Dr. Vagishwari Murugesan is an academic rheumatologist and certified clinical specialist. She holds a unique combination of triple-fellowship expertise in Rheumatology, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound diagnostics.
Her clinical and research career is deeply rooted in optimizing patient outcomes for complex autoimmune conditions. Driven by a passion for advanced therapeutics and diagnostic precision, Dr. Murugesan integrates Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) to visualize joint inflammation dynamically, enabling rapid diagnostics and highly accurate joint injections directly in the clinic.
Beyond clinical imaging, she is a leading national advocate for Reproductive Health in Rheumatic Diseases, pioneering initiatives to guide patients and family physicians through the complex processes of family planning, fertility, pregnancy, and lactation while managing systemic autoimmune conditions.
Pioneering diagnostic imaging and specialized clinical protocols.
Certified with the prestigious RhMSUS designation by the American College of Rheumatology. Dr. Murugesan uses bedside high-resolution ultrasound imaging to dynamically diagnose active joint inflammation (synovitis), perform highly accurate ultrasound-guided joint and tendon sheath injections, and track treatment response in real-time.
Having completed a dedicated Psoriatic Arthritis Fellowship at the University of Toronto, she specializes in managing the complexities of Psoriatic Arthritis and other spondyloarthropathies. Her care pathways focus on early detection, prevention of permanent joint damage, and tailoring advanced biologic therapies.
As a national specialist and key member of the American College of Rheumatology Working Group, Dr. Murugesan excels in managing autoimmune diseases during pregnancy, fertility planning, and lactation. She helps patients safely balance systemic medications to ensure both maternal disease stability and infant safety.
Excellence in research and fellowship training at world-renowned institutions.
Peer-reviewed publications, clinical abstracts, and scientific contributions.
Empowering patients and primary care physicians with evidence-based knowledge.
A multidisciplinary initiative to address the unmet needs in the treatment and management of fertility, pregnancy, and lactation in patients affected by autoimmune and systemic inflammatory diseases. Dr. Murugesan co-created clinical guidelines, handouts, and educational videos aimed at Family Medicine and Internal Medicine providers.
Visit the PsA Reproductive InitiativeCollaborated with fellow rheumatologists to draft scripts and design educational materials on reproductive health issues in spondyloarthropathies, creating an accessible Q&A format designed to answer patient questions regarding fertility and pregnancy safely.
Featured in CreakyJoints article "When the Elephant in the (Rheum Exam) Room is S-E-X", breaking down the stigma and outlining protocols on how patients should comfortably discuss sexual health and reproductive challenges with their rheumatology providers.
Read the ArticleCoverage of Dr. Murugesan's key research paper showing that serious infection-related hospitalizations have decreased in patients with Psoriatic Arthritis, despite an increase in advanced biologic medication utilization, pointing to better patient safety monitoring.
Read the CoverageHow to seek consultations or coordinate physician referrals in Mississauga.
Dr. Murugesan’s Primary Community Outpatient Practice
For research collaborations, academic inquiries, or physician referral questions:
Note to Referring Physicians: Please send all formal patient referrals and diagnostic ultrasound consultation requests directly through standard clinic channels (Ability Clinic or Trillium Health Partners systems).