Angela Crowley, MD

founder of Willow Rheumatology and Wellness

I believe in truly listening to my patients, working collaboratively to find the right answers, and never giving up until we achieve the best possible outcomes. I strive to treat each individual with the same compassion and respect I would want for myself or a loved one.

Through my dedication to research and active involvement in the rheumatology community, I stay at the forefront of innovative treatments. At the same time, I recognize the value of alternative therapies and embrace a holistic approach to wellness.

At Willow Rheumatology and Wellness, our goal is to provide a warm and welcoming environment where you can feel comfortable and supported throughout your healthcare journey. We are committed to providing you with a personalized, efficient, and empowering experience.

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“I believe in truly listening to my patients, working collaboratively to find the right answers… ”

and never giving up until we achieve the best possible outcomes. I strive to treat each individual with the same compassion and respect I would want for myself or a loved one.


— DR. ANGELA CROWLEY

More about Dr. Crowley

  • MD

    • Texas A&M University College of Medicine

    • Internal Medicine Residency at University of Utah

    • Fellowship in Rheumatology at University of Virginia

    • Additional Training in Rheumatology at the University of Auckland in New Zealand

    • Chair of the Illinois Chapter of the Association of Women in Rheumatology

    • Serves on the Association of Women in Rheumatology Advocacy Committee

    • Serves on the American College of Rheumatology State Council

  • Adjunct Faculty for the LaGrange Family Practice Residency

  • Dr. Crowley loves traveling and spending time with her family!

    • Mysler E, Sidiropoulos PI, Balanescu A, Detert J, Xavier RM, Charles-Schoeman C, Bessette L, Crowley A, Kaneko Y, Zhang Z, Nagy O, Liu Y, Ren J, Romero AB, Suboticki JL, DeMasi R, Meerwein S, Fleischmann R; SELECT-SWITCH Study Investigators. Upadacitinib vs adalimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and a prior inadequate response or intolerance to a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor: 12-week results from the randomized, double-blind, SELECT-SWITCH study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2026;85:1240-1254.

    • Tesser JRP, Crowley AR, Box EJ, June JP, Wickersham PB, Valenzuela GJ, et al. Vagus nerve-mediated neuroimmune modulation for rheumatoid arthritis: a pivotal randomized controlled trial. Nat Med. 2026 Jan;32(1):369-378.

    • Östör A, Van den Bosch F, Papp K, Keiserman M, Blanco R, Crowley A, White D, et al. Efficacy and safety of risankizumab for active psoriatic arthritis: 196-week results from the KEEPsAKE 1 and KEEPsAKE 2 randomized clinical trials. Rheumatol Ther. 2025 Dec;12(6):1103-1123.

    • Crowley A, Siegel L, Grainger R, Webster DE, He T, Yang L, Moon E, Shiller DD, Crouthamel M, Jones H, Mease PJ, Curtis JR. Clinical validation and outcome measures from Bend Ease: a novel, sensor-based digital measurement tool for assessing at-home morning stiffness and spinal range of motion in axial spondyloarthritis. Rheumatol Ther. 2025 Apr;12(2):337-352.

    Abstracts and posters

    • Curtis J, Valenzuela G, Box J, Crowley A, et al. Neuroimmune modulation in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis with an inadequate response to TNF inhibitors. EULAR 2026.

    • Keiserman M, Papp K, White D, Crowley A, et al. Long-term efficacy and safety of risankizumab for csDMARD-IR patients with active psoriatic arthritis: 244-week results from the KEEPsAKE 1 trial. EULAR 2026.

    • Valenzuela G, Box J, Crowley A, et al. Neuroimmune modulation in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis with an inadequate response to TNF inhibitors. Abstract 1675, ACR Convergence 2025.

    • Tesser J, Crowley A, Box J, et al. Neuroimmune modulation for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: results at 12 months from a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind study. Abstract 2278, ACR Convergence 2025.

    • Keiserman M, Papp K, White D, Crowley A, et al. Long-term efficacy and safety of risankizumab for csDMARD-IR patients with active psoriatic arthritis: 244-week results from the KEEPsAKE 1 trial. Abstract 2362, ACR Convergence 2025.

    • Tesser J, Crowley A, Wickersham P, et al. Neuroimmune modulation for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in adults with inadequate response or intolerance to biological or targeted synthetic DMARDs: results at 12 and 24 weeks from a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind study (RESET-RA). EULAR 2025.

    • Tesser J, June J, Wickersham P, Box J, Valenzuela G, Crowley A, et al. Neuroimmune modulation in adults with rheumatoid arthritis and inadequate response or intolerance to biological or targeted synthetic DMARDs: results at 12 and 24 weeks from a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind pivotal study. ACR Convergence 2024.

    • Jain M, Kavanaugh A, Crowley A, et al. Rapid, clinically meaningful pain improvements are associated with improvements in other patient-reported outcomes in RA patients treated with upadacitinib. Abstract 1380, ACR Convergence 2024.

  • Principle Investigator:

    • Novartis CVAY736A22301 (THALASSA): Ianalumab for Sjögren's disease with high symptom burden (August 2026)

    • Sanofi EFC18055 (ZIRCON): Sarilumab for early polymyalgia rheumatica (July 2026)

    • AstraZeneca D3461C00040 (SUNFLOWER): Subcutaneous anifrolumab for systemic lupus erythematosus (June 2026)

    • Novartis SIRIUS-SLE Extension: Long-term ianalumab for systemic lupus erythematosus (May 2026)

    • Spyre SPY002-072-201: SPY002-072 for moderately to severely active rheumatologic disease (May 2026)

    • SetPoint SPM-021 (ACTIVATE): Post-approval study of the SetPoint System for rheumatoid arthritis (May 2026)

    • RC18G007 (UPSTREAM): Telitacicept for primary Sjögren's disease (April 2026)

    • AstraZeneca D3463C00003 (JASMINE): Anifrolumab for polymyositis and dermatomyositis (April 2026)

    • Janssen JNJ-80202135 (GARDENIA): Nipocalimab for systemic lupus erythematosus (March 2026)

    • Amgen 20230219 (KADENCE): Subcutaneous vs intravenous pegloticase for uncontrolled gout (March 2026)

    • Janssen JNJ-88545223 (VELOTA): JNJ-88545223 for active psoriatic arthritis (February 2026)

    • AbbVie M25-056: Targeted therapies for moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (February 2026)

    • Roche RO7790121 (dRAvite): RO7790121 for rheumatoid arthritis after TNF or JAK inhibitor failure (January 2026)

    • Zenas ZB012-02-001 (SunStone): Obexelimab for systemic lupus erythematosus (January 2026)

    • AlloNK: Cord blood-derived NK cell therapy with rituximab for B-cell dependent rheumatologic disease (December 2025)

    • AstraZeneca D9640C00003 (LaunchPAD-RA): AZD1163 for rheumatoid arthritis (December 2025)

    • AbbVie M25-191: Platform study of targeted therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (September 2025)

    • Merck MK-7240-013: Tulisokibart for radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (September 2025)

    • UCB SL0044: Dapirolizumab pegol for systemic lupus erythematosus (June 2025)

    • Janssen JNJ-80202135 (DAFFODIL): Nipocalimab for Sjögren's disease (May 2025)

    • Janssen 77242113PSA3001 (ICONIC-PsA 1): JNJ-77242113 for biologic-naive psoriatic arthritis (April 2025)

    • Argenx ARGX-113-2306 (UNITY): Efgartigimod for primary Sjögren's disease (April 2025)

    • EVOLUTION: Guselkumab vs golimumab for psoriatic arthritis after TNF inhibitor failure (April 2025)

    • Eli Lilly J3K-MC-KIAC: LY3541860 for moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (February 2025)

    • Eli Lilly I1F-MC-RHDE: Tirzepatide for psoriatic arthritis with overweight or obesity following ixekizumab (February 2025)

    • CorEvitas BIO-800: Systemic lupus erythematosus drug safety and effectiveness biorepository (February 2025)

    • Eli Lilly J3P-MC-FTAF: LY3871801 (RIPK1 inhibitor) for moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (September 2024)

    • Eli Lilly I1F-MC-RHDB (TOGETHER-PsA): Ixekizumab with or without tirzepatide for psoriatic arthritis with obesity or overweight (September 2024)

    • UCB PA0016 (BE BOLD): Bimekizumab vs risankizumab for active psoriatic arthritis (June 2024)

    • Novartis CAIN457A02001B (INVIGORATE-2): Intravenous secukinumab for active psoriatic arthritis (June 2024)

    • Novartis CVAY736F12302 (SIRIUS-SLE 2): Ianalumab for systemic lupus erythematosus (April 2024)

    • Novartis CAIN457E22101: Intravenous secukinumab for giant cell arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatica (April 2024)

    • Novartis CAIN457O12302: Secukinumab for active rotator cuff tendinopathy (April 2024)

    • Horizon HZNP-KRY-409 (FORWARD II): Pegloticase dosing intervals with methotrexate for uncontrolled refractory gout (April 2024)

    • Acelyrin 23110: Izokibep for active psoriatic arthritis (April 2024)

    • GSK 219240 (Be Early): Subcutaneous belimumab for early systemic lupus erythematosus (April 2024)

    • Aqtual PRIMA 102: Observational whole blood specimen collection study in rheumatoid arthritis (September 2023)

    • AbbVie M23-700 (SELECT-SWITCH): Upadacitinib vs adalimumab for rheumatoid arthritis after TNF inhibitor failure (June 2023)

    • AbbVie M23-699 (SELECT-SLE): Upadacitinib for moderately to severely active systemic lupus erythematosus (June 2023)

    • SetPoint SPM-020 (RESET-RA): Vagus nerve stimulation for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (May 2023)

    • Acelyrin 22014: Izokibep for psoriatic arthritis (April 2023)

    • Eli Lilly J1A-MC-KDAF: Peresolimab for moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (November 2022)

    • Janssen CNTO1959PSA4002 (STAR): Guselkumab for biologic-naive psoriatic arthritis with axial disease (February 2022)

    • Amgen CC-10004-PSA-013 (FOREMOST): Apremilast for early, oligoarticular psoriatic arthritis (May 2021)

    • CORRONA BIO-100: Biorepository (May 2021)

    • Sun Pharma TILD-19-07 (INSPIRE I): Tildrakizumab for anti-TNF experienced psoriatic arthritis (March 2021)

    • Eli Lilly I4V-MC-JAJD (RA-BRANCH): Baricitinib for rheumatoid arthritis (July 2020)

    • CORRONA RA-100 (POWER): Patient outcomes and real-world evidence in rheumatoid arthritis (April 2020)

    • AbbVie M19-130 (SLEek): ABBV-105 and upadacitinib for moderately to severely active systemic lupus erythematosus (October 2019)

    • AbbVie M16-011 (KEEPsAKE 1): Risankizumab for active psoriatic arthritis after DMARD failure (October 2019)

    • CorEvitas RA: Consortium of Rheumatology Researchers of North America registry (April 2019)

    • CorEvitas PsA/SpA: Psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthritis registry (April 2019)

Philosophy of Care

As a rheumatologist, I've witnessed firsthand the challenges individuals face when living with autoimmune diseases. The complexities of the healthcare system, coupled with the physical and emotional toll of chronic illness, can make the journey to wellness feel overwhelming. That's why I founded Willow Rheumatology and Wellness – to provide a different kind of care experience.

I believe in a patient-centered approach that prioritizes compassion, efficiency, and innovation. I'm dedicated to listening deeply to your concerns, exploring all possible avenues for diagnosis and treatment, and never giving up until we find the right answers for you. I believe in treating the "whole person," not just the disease, and am committed to supporting you in all aspects of your health journey.

Above all, I believe in treating every patient with the same kindness, respect, and dedication that I would expect for myself. My goal is to create a warm, welcoming environment where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to take control of your health.

At Willow Rheumatology and Wellness, we offer you a partnership built on trust, a commitment to your well-being, and a path towards a fulfilling life, even in the face of chronic illness.

Learn how we can help you

Meet Our Team

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Meet Our Team ·

Headshot of Huyen Rago, Nurse Practitioner of Willow Rheaumatology.

Huyen Rago, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner

  • Huyen earned her Undergraduate Degree in Health Science at Benedictine University followed by a second Bachelor’s Degree in Science in Nursing at Chamberlain University.

    She worked several years as a registered nurse, specializing in physiatry, cardiology, neurology, and intermediate intensive care before returning to school to study for an advanced degree. She completed a Master's Degree in Science in Nursing at Chamberlain University and is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner.

    Huyen lives in Wheaton with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cooking

Headshot of Vanessa Cloud, Nurse Practitioner of WIllow Rheumatology

Vanessa C., DNP, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner

  • Vanessa earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Rush University.

    She previously worked as a bedside nurse in the surgical ICU and served as a clinical instructor at Rush University Medical Center before joining Dr. Crowley in 2021.

    Vanessa lives in the western suburbs with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and working out.

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