ARAA is a team of highly-devoted specialists who are among the best rheumatologists in Phoenix. They uphold team-based care that focuses on holistic, collaborative, and thorough treatment.

As one of the center’s esteemed members, Dr. Nehad Soloman has extensive experience and has won multiple accolades over the course of his career. 

We were even more impressed when we learned of his engagement with the local community through public talks and mentorships. He’s also actively involved in clinical research to find newer and more effective ways to treat diseases.

Dr. Soloman is known to his patients for his professionalism and good nature. Based on what we’ve seen, he’s responsive and approachable throughout the whole process.

Another thing to like about him is that he’s open to new patients and offers telehealth services. Aside from that, he also accepts most insurance care providers. 

On the account of one of his patients whose insurance expired, Dr. Soloman really made the effort to find a way for them not to shell out a huge amount of money. Needless to say, you can count on him to advocate for you.

Of course, the perfect doctor doesn’t exist. We’ve heard of a few occasions of rushed appointments, hence, conditions not being explained well.

Another thing to note is that he’s particular with the kind of questions being asked. This leaves a negative impression on some patients where they feel their concerns are not being heard enough.

Ultimately, we think Dr. Soloman deserves a spot on this list. If you’re looking for a highly-skilled and efficient doctor, he’s your guy. 

Dr. W Richard Horn is a rheumatology specialist and the sole practitioner of Bonhoeffer Rheumatology Institute. The clinic is known for its advanced practices and treat-to-target approach.

Don’t let his age get in the way of your judgment. Dr. Horn has years of diverse experience – including serving in the Air Force Medical Reserves in the 3rd Marine division.

Additionally, he has master’s degrees in both Nursing and Library and Information Science plus a degree in Economics in his arsenal. Eventually, he found his calling in Rheumatology and we’re glad that’s the case.

For one, Dr. Horn is extremely attentive and clearly knows his stuff. Patients find that his responses always come with great forethought and that he is inclusive in every decision on their health.

He’s also known for his kind and comforting countenance, and the same could be said for the staff. We love that he doesn’t rush his appointments and doesn’t pack in patients at a time.

However, this could mean delays in your appointment. Some patients say that it pays off because they get the care they need, even if it means a longer waiting time.

Overall, we think Dr. Horn is a solid choice as he offers holistic care and has your best interests at heart. 

Keep in mind that he only has a handful of practitioners on his team. If you prefer to consult with more doctors in one place, this may not be the best choice for you.

Dr. Sheetal Chhaya is a distinguished practitioner associated with Valleywise Health. What we like about this place is that it offers a broad spectrum of medical services under family, emergency, and specialty care.

Dr. Chhaya’s medical background is nothing short of remarkable. Aside from her educational achievements, she’s taught in multiple universities across the country including Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School.

She also has high-ranking positions at Valleywise Health such as Chief of the Rheumatology Division, all the while participating in clinical research.

A lot of her patients have mentioned her ability to “think outside the joint.” This is due in part to her integrating forms of therapy used outside of rheumatology and partnering in research with other medical specialties.

Some patients, usually those who are previously diagnosed, are wary of this and would think it as guesswork. It’s quite understandable especially if the outcome is far from the initial diagnosis.

She does her best to clearly state the diagnosis in a way that is easy to comprehend, according to her patients. She’s also trustworthy, personable, and has established healthy doctor-patient relationships.

However, scheduling an appointment might not be as easy since she’s usually booked.

Her work speaks for herself. As a forerunner in finding new ways to treat rheumatic diseases, we especially recommend her to patients who have trouble getting a definitive diagnosis.

The Arizona Pulmonary Specialists offers a subspecialty in rheumatology in which Dr. Gabriel Colceriu is the only physician. Additionally, he has valuable experience in pulmonary care, which we don’t see often.

Prior to his medical practice, Dr. Colceriu graduated in the top 10% in medical school and finished his fellowship at Columbia University Medical School. 

He is board-certified and also affiliated with St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and San Carlos Apache Healthcare, which are also based in Arizona. 

What we like about Dr. Colceriu is his professional, no-nonsense approach to his work. A lot of patients commend him for being consistently punctual in appointments with almost zero waiting time.

Furthermore, he’s quick to address your concerns and adequately interprets results. For more complex issues, he doesn’t rush the appointment and takes time to listen and explain things effectively.

Though most patients are pleased with his methods, some have negative experiences. On more than one occasion, appointments have been canceled where the patient has failed to show up 30 to 40 minutes before their scheduled time.

In terms of consultations, some have felt that the examination wasn’t thorough enough because there was not much of a discussion. This may be a concern to anyone who wants to make the most out of their visit.

For those with insurance, make sure to check with them first via phone call because they only provided a general list on their website. 

Dr. Amer Al-Khoudari established the Arizona Arthritis Clinic, PLLC, a renowned medical group in Arizona specializing in rheumatology. They have made a name for themselves, which led them to opening a second branch in the state.

Dr. Al-Khoudari is a well-respected local physician who has vast experience in medicine. After graduating from the University of Damascus in Syria, he moved to the country where he pursued the rest of his medical practice.

He spent his first years across different states training and teaching. Eventually settling in Arizona, he became the chair of the Arizona United Rheumatology Alliance or AURA.

Based on the experience of countless patients, Dr. Al-Khoudari has a genuine and pleasant personality. He actively listens, always asks if you have any questions, and reiterates his diagnosis to make sure you understand clearly.

Most of his patients leave his clinic feeling understood and cared for with how receptive he is of their concerns. What we appreciate about him is that he won’t minimize or dismiss your pain.

When we visited their website, we found it easy to navigate. You could also find an online form, comprehensive list of insurance providers, and resources on rheumatic diseases and care.

However, we noticed that their management has scheduling troubles and sometimes fails to follow-up or see to patient concerns. The online patient portal could be your best bet in this case.

Despite this, most patients would be willing to compromise just to be in the care of Dr. Al-Khoudari. We still hope they could address this issue as this could make it or break it for those looking for immediate care.