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Dr. Michael Vempala is a fellowship-trained rheumatologist caring for adults across Broward County and South Florida who live with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. He diagnoses and treats the full range of rheumatologic disease — including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic and other forms of inflammatory arthritis, gout, vasculitis, Sjögren’s syndrome, osteoarthritis, and connective tissue disorders — with an emphasis on accurate diagnosis, individualized treatment, and helping patients stay active and comfortable over the long term.

Dr. Vempala completed his rheumatology fellowship at Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia, following an Internal Medicine residency at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital. He is board certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). He earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Florida and a Master of Medical Sciences from the University of South Florida — giving him long-standing roots in the communities he now serves.

An active member of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Rheumatology, Dr. Vempala has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and clinical research, including a case study on refractory Adult-Onset Still’s Disease and other complex inflammatory conditions. Outside of practice, he enjoys reading and following basketball

About Dr. Chimata

Padma Chimata, MD, is the founder and director of Katy Rheumatology & Associates in Katy, Texas. She has been in private practice since 2007 and works diligently to provide excellent care to patients with rheumatologic diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones.

Dr. Chimata attended the Jaihind Medical College in Mumbai, India, earning a Bachelor of Science in genetics. She went on to graduate from JSS Medical College in Mysore, India.

She interned at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, and completed her residency in internal medicine at Christ Advocate Health Center/UIC in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Dr. Chimata completed her geriatrics/gerontorheumatology and rheumatology fellowships at IUC School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Throughout her time in medicine, Dr. Chimata has won several awards. She was named Best Rheumatologist from Living Magazine in 2020 and 2019. She also won the Patient’s Choice award in 2019.

She is a member of the American College of Rheumatology, the Texas Medical Association, and the Harris County Medical Association.

Double board-certified in rheumatology and internal medicine, Dr. Chimata has the knowledge and experience to accurately diagnose and treat various rheumatologic diseases. At Katy Rheumatology & Associates, she and her team provide quality, evidence-based healthcare with compassion and sincerity.

Constantine K. Saadeh, MD, FAAAAI, FACP, FACR, is a board-certified internal medicine specialist serving patients at Allergy A.R.T.S. in Amarillo, Texas. 

In addition to internal medicine, Dr. Saadeh has fellowships and additional board certifications in allergy/immunology, rheumatology, and gerontology. Although that may seem an unusual combination of interests, he chose these specialties because they complement one another. 

Many arthritic conditions stem from disorders of the autoimmune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, polymyositis, and many other conditions. Most conditions treated by an allergist/immunologist also involve the immune system. Knowledge of the pathology surrounding both specialties enhances the understanding of the immune system as a whole. 

Since many patients with arthritic conditions are part of the elderly population and metabolize medications differently than others, understanding the physical differences allows him insight into differing treatment approaches for different age groups. 

Dr. Saadeh is “grandfathered” in allergy/immunology and rheumatology. That means he is not required to recertify through the stringent testing recertification requirements. Nonetheless, Dr. Saadeh opts to voluntarily re-certify. His academic background has driven him to reinvest practice revenues into cutting-edge diagnostic equipment and the well-trained personnel it takes to operate it. 

Allergy A.R.T.S. is a reflection of his desire to provide the most comprehensive and well-studied approaches to treatment.

Sonal Bhalla, MD, MPH, is a board-certified rheumatologist practicing at Riverhills Neuroscience's Norwood, Westside and Anderson locations in Cincinnati, Ohio. With a focus on preventive medicine, Dr. Bhalla holds board certifications in rheumatology and internal medicine and is board-eligible in preventive medicine.

Dr. Bhalla completed her medical education at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Pondicherry, India. 

She then went on to complete her internal medicine residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital (St. Raphael Campus) in New Haven, Connecticut, followed by a rheumatology fellowship at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Additionally, Dr. Bhalla completed a preventive medicine residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

Dr. Bhalla holds a Master in Public Health from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice at The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in Hanover, New Hampshire. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Rheumatology, the American College of Physicians, and the American College of Preventive Medicine.

With her extensive education and experience, Dr. Bhalla provides comprehensive care to patients with rheumatic diseases, offering innovative and individualized treatments that improve the quality of life for those living with chronic illnesses. Her specialties include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, and lupus.

Dr. Bhalla's commitment to preventive care and her expertise in rheumatology make her a welcome addition to the Riverhills Neuroscience team. She is thrilled to connect with new and returning patients and work collaboratively to develop treatment plans tailored to their unique needs and goals.

Board-Certified Rheumatologist fluent in English and Spanish, dedicated to helping patients better understand their condition and feel confident in their care. After earning his medical degree from Favaloro University in Buenos Aires, he completed his Internal Medicine residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Bronx Program), followed by Rheumatology fellowship training at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Focused on reducing pain, improving function, and delivering personalized, compassionate care to support long-term health.

Dr. Amar Suwal is a compassionate, board-certified rheumatologist dedicated to providing personalized, patient-centered care. He completed his rheumatology fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine and his internal medicine residency at The Reading Hospital in Pennsylvania. Dr. Suwal earned his medical degree from Tribhuvan University in Nepal.

Known for his attentive and thoughtful approach, Dr. Suwal prioritizes building strong relationships with his patients. He takes the time to listen carefully to their concerns and works collaboratively to develop individualized care plans that help them achieve their best possible health and quality of life.

Anupam Chahal, MD is a board certified Rheumatologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and autoimmune diseases. She finished her training at George Washington University Hospital (GWUH), Washington DC that offers state of the art Rheumatology care in the heart of the nation’s capital. At GWUH she worked with world renowned experts in the field of Rheumatology. She participated in specialty clinics where she handled very sick and complicated patients. Dr. Chahal is well versed in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound and has performed thousands of joint injections. Prior to starting her own practice, Dr. Chahal helped start a successful Rheumatology Division at Doctors Hospital in Modesto, CA Dr. Chahal received her medical degree from Government Medical College Amritsar, India. Subsequently she finished her Residency in Internal medicine from Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore

Dr. Peter Shane is a compassionate and highly experienced rheumatologist dedicated to helping patients find relief from complex autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. With decades of clinical, academic, and research experience, he brings a thoughtful, personalized approach to care—listening closely and partnering with each patient on their path to better health.

Dr. Shane earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and completed his residency at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. He went on to complete advanced fellowship training in Rheumatology and Clinical Immunogenetics at The University of Texas Health Science Center.

My name is Wendy Donaugh, I am a Nurse Practitioner and a Montana native. I have practiced Rheumatology for a number of years in the state. My husband and I live on a farm and love animals and our Montana way of life. I love caring for patients and am excited to continue providing care in order to keep everyone living their best 406 life!

Dr. Sirisha Gokaraju, MD is a board-certified rheumatologist known for her compassionate, evidence-based approach to complex autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases. A graduate of Mamata Medical College, Dr. Gokaraju combines deep clinical expertise with a genuine dedication to patient education and empowerment. She provides personalized care for patients with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, and related conditions. Known for her attentive listening and thoughtful diagnostic skills, Dr. Gokaraju emphasizes collaborative decision-making and long-term wellness. Her research interests include immune-mediated inflammation and innovative biologic therapies, reflecting her commitment to advancing rheumatologic care and improving quality of life for every patient she serves.

Ashley Rodriguez, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She provides compassionate and effective care to patients at Allergy A.R.T.S. in Amarillo, Texas.

Ashley began pursuing her nursing education at Amarillo College in Texas. After earning her degree, she then completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She continued her education, earning her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating in 2022. 

Ashley is board-certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She brings a wealth of knowledge to Allergy A.R.T.S. from her time as a floor nurse and serving in healthcare management before becoming a nurse practitioner. 

She was proudly born and raised in the Texas Panhandle and continues to hold onto her strong Christian faith. Ashley spends her downtime with her loved ones and looks forward to giving back to the community that gave her so much. 

Ashley is currently accepting both new and existing patients.

Dr. Borham is a Board-Certified Rheumatologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and rheumatism. She treats both localized and generalized pain including pain in the back, neck, shoulders and hands, osteoarthritis, tendonitis and bursitis. She also treats complex systemic pain caused by diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus.

• Assistant Director of the Rheumatology Fellowship Program – Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health,
  Rutgers’s University Hospital Medical School, New Brunswick
• Assistant Professor of Rheumatology – Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health, Rutgers’s University Hospital Medical School, New Brunswick
• Completed her Fellowship at UMDNJ-Robert wood Johnson medical school
• Completed her Residency at Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center
• Graduated from the University of Cairo – Egypt (1995)

The prestigious medical team at Rheumatology Center of New Jersey uses state-of-the-art treatments to minimize pain, slow chronic disease progression and maximize the quality of life. In the communities of Monroe, Somerville, and Flemington, New Jersey, the center’s board-certified rheumatologists Dr. Ahmed M. Abdel-Megid, MD, and Dr. Amanda Borham, MD, with the assistance of Jennifer Sidiropoulos, PA-C, and Manjula Chava, PA-C, care for patients with rheumatic conditions that cause inflammation, pain, stiffness, and deformity.

The patient-focused team at the Rheumatology Center of New Jersey specialize in diagnosing and treating osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoporosis. They also treat lupus, gout, polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), giant cell arteritis (GCA), soft tissue rheumatic syndromes, Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic vasculitis and Wegener’s granulomatosis, and other chronic rheumatic conditions that disrupt lives because of discomfort and disability.

Medical services available at the Rheumatology Center of New Jersey include infusions, platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), ultrasound guided injections, bone densitometry (DXA) scans, and much more.

The doctors at the Rheumatology Center of New Jersey focus on treating the whole patient, not just the disease. Every patient receives a custom treatment plan, based on their specific needs. The center’s doctors pride themselves on developing trusting relationships with patients while helping improve their health, happiness, and comfort.

Dr. Ahmed M. Abdel-Megid, MD is a Board-Certified Rheumatologist providing services to the communities of Somerville, Monroe, and Flemington, New Jersey. He is an expert in the management of a multitude of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal diseases including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis. He has specific training in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and rheumatism. Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Megid also has extensive experience with office orthopedic disorders, sports medicine, connective tissue disorders and interventional joint procedures.

• Private Practice-Rheumatology Center of New Jersey (June 2010)
• Rheumatology Fellowship for 2 years: UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (2010)
• Chief Medical Resident – Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center (2008)
• Medical Residency – UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
• Medical Residency – Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center
• Foot and Ankle Surgery Advanced Surgical – Saint Vincent’s Hospital – New York (2004)
• One-Year Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Fellowship: University of Texas – Houston (2003)
• Visiting Fellow: Orthopedic Trauma Surgery @ NYU – Hospital for Joint Diseases (2002)
• Orthopedic Surgery Fellow: University of Rome Italy for 2 years (2001)
• Completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery, Cairo University – Egypt (2000)
• Graduated from Medical School, Cairo University – Egypt (1995)

Dr. Kookootsedes completed all of her undergraduate and medical training in California. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree a the University of California, Los Angeles where she enjoyed being the Class President of her sorority and cheerleading for the PAC-10 NCAA Football and Basketball teams. Go Bruins! Dr. Kookootsedes received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Southern California where she graduated with highest distinction. During her training at USC, Dr. Kookootsedes was nominated as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Society and received an American Medical Women Association Achievement Award. She went on to complete her internal medicine residency and fellowship in rheumatology at UCLA. Dr. Kookootsedes is dedicated to providing top-notch care. She strives to practice by the principles echoed in the quote by William Osler, "The good physician treats the disease, the great physician treats the patient who has the disease."