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Best Rheumatologists in Berkeley

Written by Andrew Le, MD

Updated November 14, 2024

Introduction to Rheumatology and Its Importance

Definition of rheumatology

Rheumatology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune conditions. These disorders can affect joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissues throughout the body.

Rheumatologists commonly treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, gout, fibromyalgia, and various forms of inflammatory arthritis. Their expertise extends to managing complex autoimmune disorders that can impact multiple organ systems.

Importance of specialized care for rheumatological conditions

The complex nature of autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal disorders necessitates specialized care. Rheumatologists possess in-depth knowledge of these intricate conditions and are equipped to provide accurate diagnoses and tailored treatment plans.

Many rheumatological conditions require ongoing management and careful monitoring. A rheumatologist's expertise is invaluable in adjusting treatments, managing medications, and addressing complications that may arise over time. This continuous care is essential for maintaining patients' quality of life and preventing disease progression.


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List of Rheumatologists in Berkeley

SY

Dr. Sikai Yang

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 204-8120

American Board of Internal Medicine

AMERICAN CAREER COLLEGE (Medical School, 2014)

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

AL

Dr. Anand Lal

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Internal Medicine

UNIVERSITY OF DELHI / COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (Medical School, 1991)

English

Rheumatology

CC

Dr. Chee Chow

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 752-1000

American Board of Internal Medicine

yale University (Medical School, 1981)

English

Rheumatology

MK

Dr. Maurice Kinsolving

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(415) 444-2940

American Board of Internal Medicine

Children's Hospital San Francisco (Internship Hospital)

University of California San Francisco (Fellowship Hospital, 1990)

Children's Hospital San Francisco (Residency Hospital, 1988)

West Virginia University (Medical School, 1985)

West Virginia University (Undergraduate School, 1981)

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

AD

Dr. Aileen Dillon

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Internal Medicine

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND / FACULTY OF MEDICINE (Medical School, 1976)

English

Rheumatology

JF

Dr. Jeffrey Fong

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Internal Medicine

Thomas Jefferson University (Medical School, 1980)

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

WF

Dr. Walford Fessel

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Internal Medicine

MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (Medical School, 1955)

English

Rheumatology

MF

Dr. Mitchell Fung

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(559) 448-4747

American Board of Internal Medicine

George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences (Medical School, 1989)

English

Rheumatology

CL

Dr. Cianna Leatherwood

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 307-1500

American Board of Internal Medicine

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

NG

Dr. Nicole Griffin

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(925) 295-4000

American Board of Internal Medicine

Creighton University (Medical School, 1998)

English

Rheumatology

PH

Dr. Peter Hendler

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 795-3000

American Board of Internal Medicine

University of Rochester (Medical School, 1977)

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

DG

Dr. David Granovetter

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(408) 972-3366

American Board of Preventive Medicine

American Board of Allergy & Immunology

yale University (Medical School, 1974)

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

Allergy & Immunology

Addiction Medicine

LI

Dr. Lloyd Ito

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

University of Hawaii at Manoa (Medical School, 1988)

English

Rheumatology

AI

Dr. Arshia Islam

5.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

American Board of Internal Medicine

SOUTHWEST COLLEGE OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINEHEALTH SCIENCES (Medical School, 1993)

English

Rheumatology

RC

Dr. Ramani Chaganti

3.8

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Temple University (Medical School, 1999)

English

Rheumatology

BK

Dr. Brian Kaye

3.7

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Internal Medicine

Santa Clara Vly Med/Stanford (Fellowship Hospital, 1986)

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (Internship Hospital, 1984)

Baylor College of Medicine (Medical School, 1983)

English

Internal Medicine

Rheumatology

VS

Dr. Vandana Sharma

3.7

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English, Hindi

Phone

(510) 985-5200

JAMMU UNIVERSITY / MEDICAL COLLEGE (Medical School, 1989)

English

Hindi

Rheumatology

SC

Dr. Stephanie Chu

3.4

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(408) 851-1000

American Board of Internal Medicine

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE (Medical School, 1989)

English

Rheumatology

NN

Dr. Neftali Nevarez

3.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 204-8120

American Board of Internal Medicine

City University of New York School of Medicine (Medical School, 2010)

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

PL

Dr. Paul Lambie

3.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(916) 784-4000

American Board of Internal Medicine

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE (Medical School, 1984)

English

Rheumatology

TB

Dr. Thomas Burns

3.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(408) 851-1000

American Board of Internal Medicine

State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University College of Medicine (Medical School, 1978)

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

Dr. Raul Romea

Dr. Raul Romea

3.0

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Arabic, Spanish, Vietnamese

Phone

(925) 296-9060

Winthrop - University Hospital (Fellowship Hospital)

University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences (Residency Hospital, 1997)

Mercy Hospital (Internship Hospital, 1994)

University of The Philippines College of Medicine (Medical School, 1992)

English

Arabic

Spanish

Vietnamese

Rheumatology

AL

Dr. Alan Lash

2.9

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

American Board of Internal Medicine

Baylor University (Medical School, 1979)

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

TA

Dr. Thomas Abel

2.4

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 204-8120

American Board of Internal Medicine

McGill University School of Medicine (Medical School, 1971)

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

AH

Dr. Arezoo Haghshenas

N/A

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 752-1000

American Board of Internal Medicine

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

PF

Dr. Paul Feigenbaum

N/A

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 987-1000

University of California at Berkeley (Medical School, 1975)

English

Rheumatology

DY

Dr. David Ying

N/A

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 985-5200

American Board of Internal Medicine

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE (Medical School, 2013)

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

LM

Dr. Lucy Md

N/A

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 307-2703

American Board of Internal Medicine

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

JT

Dr. Jose Troncoso

N/A

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(866) 883-0119

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA / HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER (Medical School, 1986)

English

Spanish

Rheumatology

KS

Dr. Kate Scannell

N/A

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 752-1000

American Board of Internal Medicine

MICHIGAN STATE University (Medical School, 1980)

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

WY

Dr. Wilson Loy Yap

N/A

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(707) 651-1000

University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (Medical School, 1987)

English

Rheumatology

TJ

Dr. Thomas Jamison

N/A

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(925) 372-1000

American Board of Internal Medicine

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES / CENTER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES (Medical School, 1973)

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

HP

Dr. Hui Pan

N/A

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(707) 651-1000

SHANGHAI FIRST MEDICAL COLLEGE / NATIONAL SHANGHAI MEDICAL COLLEGE (Medical School, 1987)

English

Rheumatology

SC

Dr. Suneeta Chhugani

N/A

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(209) 536-3738

UNIVERSITY OF BOMBAY / SETH GORDHANDAS SUNDERHAS MEDICAL COLLEGE (Medical School, 1993)

English

Rheumatology

PC

Dr. Pei-Chang Chen

N/A

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 752-1275

American Board of Internal Medicine

University of California at San Francisco (Medical School, 2009)

English

Rheumatology

DP

Dr. Dawn Piarulli

N/A

Berkeley, CA

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(510) 307-1555

American Board of Internal Medicine

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (Medical School)

English

Rheumatology

Internal Medicine

Choosing a Rheumatologist in Berkeley

Factors to Consider

Qualifications and Expertise

  • Board certification
  • Educational background
  • Years of experience

Patient Satisfaction

  • Star ratings and reviews
  • Patient testimonials

Accessibility and Convenience

  • Location within Berkeley
  • Availability of appointments
  • Acceptance of insurance plans

Evaluating Berkeley's Rheumatologists

Top-Rated Specialists

  • Dr. Chee Chow (5.0 stars, 4 reviews)
  • Dr. Mitchell Fung (5.0 stars, 3 reviews)
  • Dr. Jeffrey Fong (5.0 stars, 3 reviews)

Specializations and Expertise

  • Rheumatologists with additional Internal Medicine certification
  • Doctors with multiple language capabilities

Making Your Decision

Scheduling Consultations

  • Preparing questions for potential rheumatologists
  • Evaluating communication styles and patient-doctor rapport

Reviewing Credentials

  • Verifying board certifications
  • Researching educational background and ongoing training

Top-Rated Rheumatologists in Berkeley

Dr. Chee Chow

Highest-rated with 5.0 stars and 4 reviews

  • Education: Yale University School of Medicine
  • Board certified by American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Contact information: (510) 752-1000

Dr. Mitchell Fung

5.0-star rating with 3 reviews

  • Education: George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences
  • Board certified by American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Contact information: (559) 448-4747

Dr. Jeffrey Fong

5.0-star rating with 3 reviews

  • Education: Thomas Jefferson University
  • Board certified by American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Contact information: Not available

Dr. Sikai Yang

5.0-star rating with 2 reviews

  • Education: American Career College
  • Board certified by American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Contact information: (510) 204-8120

Dr. Nicole Griffin

5.0-star rating with 2 reviews

  • Education: Creighton University
  • Board certified by American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Contact information: (925) 295-4000

Additional Tips for Choosing the Right Rheumatologist in Berkeley

Preparing for Your First Appointment

Gathering Medical History and Records

  • Compile a comprehensive list of past diagnoses and treatments
  • Collect relevant imaging and lab results
  • Prepare a family medical history focused on rheumatic conditions

Creating a Symptom Journal

  • Document the frequency and severity of symptoms
  • Note any triggers or patterns observed
  • Record the impact of symptoms on daily activities

Questions to Ask Potential Rheumatologists

Treatment Approaches

  • Inquire about their experience with your specific condition
  • Ask about their approach to medication management
  • Discuss alternative or complementary therapies they might recommend

Practice Logistics

  • Determine their availability for appointments and emergencies
  • Ask about telemedicine options, given the data shows some Berkeley rheumatologists offer this
  • Inquire about the typical wait times for appointments and test results

Evaluating Patient-Doctor Rapport

Communication Style

  • Assess the doctor's willingness to explain complex medical terms
  • Observe how well they listen to your concerns and questions
  • Consider language preferences, noting that some Berkeley rheumatologists speak multiple languages

Shared Decision-Making

  • Gauge their openness to involving you in treatment decisions
  • Discuss how they typically collaborate with patients on long-term management plans
  • Ask about their approach to incorporating patient preferences into care strategies