Asena Bahce-Altuntas, M.D. is a board-certified rheumatologist who joined Hackensack Meridian
Medical Group’s Center for Rheumatology in 2022. Dr. Bahce-Altuntas was born and raised in northern
New Jersey and was thrilled to return to her home state to be part of Hackensack Meridian Health. She
is dedicated to treating immune-mediated rheumatic diseases, educating her patients about their
conditions, and improving their overall health and quality of life. Dr. Bahce-Altuntas is fluent in Turkish
and Karachai, making her an excellent resource for patients within these communities.
Before joining Hackensack Meridian Health, Dr. Bahce-Altuntas served as a rheumatologist at NYC
Health & Hospitals Jacobi Medical Center/North Central Bronx and as an Assistant Professor of
Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She has over 15 years of clinical experience and a
strong commitment to medical education. Dr. Bahce-Altuntas has been recognized for her teaching
excellence, receiving the Rheumatology Outpatient Educator of the Year Award for three consecutive
years. She was also recognized here at HMH, with the Best Innovation Abstract-Faculty during
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine’s Medical Education week in spring 2024.
Her clinical focus areas include Scleroderma, Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis, Interstitial Lung Disease
(ILD)-related connective tissue diseases, ANCA vasculitis, autoinflammatory disorders (Familial
Mediterranean Fever, Behcet’s disease), as well as, rheumatoid arthritis and crystal arthritis (Gout and
Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition arthropathy). She also incorporates complementary medicine
approaches to support her patients’ overall well-being and particularly treating individuals from
underserved communities.
Dr. Bahce-Altuntas is actively involved in medical education at Hackensack Meridian School of
Medicine, where she teaches medical students across all years and runs the rheumatology elective for
medical students and internal medicine residents at Hackensack University Medical Center; Don’t be
surprised if you encounter a medical student during your visit!