Rheumatology Awards, Appointments and Announcements for January 2017

New Rheumatologist at Minnesota Clinic

Meghan Scheibe, MD

Meghan Scheibe, MD, is pleased with her new position at CentraCare Clinic Rheumatology and Infusion Services, a hospital-based practice in St. Cloud, Minn. “It’s a great practice,” says Dr. Scheibe. “Young, energetic partners and wonderful support staff. I’m seeing four to six new patients a day.” These are patients who had not been seen before because of staffing shortage.

Dr. Scheibe was drawn to rheumatology early in life. A family member was diagnosed with a rheumatoid condition while Dr. Scheibe was a high school student. “The fact that they could diagnose and treat the disease was life changing for both of us.”

When rheumatology was her second rotation as a resident, the die was cast. “I thought it was fascinating stuff. I liked the intellectual challenge.”

She completed her medical degree at Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Neb. She completed her internal medicine residency at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco and a rheumatology fellowship at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Medical Practice in Pennsylvania Hires 1st Rheumatologist

Arif Shahzad, MD

Arif Shahzad, MD, has filled a need as the solo rheumatologist at Pocono Medical Center Physician Associates in Brodheadsville, Pa. In addition to new referrals from primary care physicians, he’s seeing patients who have transferred from doctors as far as 45 minutes away. Providing local care fits into his long-term goal for patients “to have good quality and function in life.”

Although he’s particularly interested in early-onset rheumatology, his current patients are all along the spectrum. That variety also suits his goals as a physician: “Unraveling the case, doing the detective work. That makes it very rewarding. We don’t cure, but we can control, the disease. We have long-term relationships with our patients and can help them be able to do the activities they want to do.”

Dr. Shahzad earned his medical degree from Saba University of Medicine, Netherlands Antilles, followed by his position at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, La., as a hospitalist, and a rheumatology fellowship at Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans.

Nurse in England Lauded by Her Patients

Kelly Hayes-Head

Kelly Hayes-Head, senior rheumatology nurse at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Keighley, West Yorkshire, England, has received Highly Commended in the Patients’ Choice Awards from the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS). Ms. Hayes-Head has been at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust since 2003.